BLINDNESS FROM THE FELINE POINT OF VIEW
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Cats can go blind suddenly or gradually. They can be born blind, lose their sight as a child due to respiratory viral diseases that often afflict puppies or as adults as a result of diseases that can afflict them.
A blind cat from birth or from when it is very small, adapts very well to its condition of blindness. He learns to live immediately in his world without light, but rich in smells, flavors, sensations and orientation. It will be a beautiful world for him. He will have no problems living with the absence of sight, as long as we create a safe and secure environment for him and take small precautions to help him live peacefully and without danger.
A cat that has lost his sight as an adult will struggle and it will take longer (compared to a cat blind from birth) to adapt to his new condition, because he is used to the visual world.
MEASURES TO BE TAKEN WITH A BLIND CAT
The blind cat must have a safe environment in which to move. He must live in the house and go out only if there are balconies or gardens that have been secured, from which it is impossible to get out. A blind cat could get lost, run under a car and in addition would not be able to escape from a dog attack.
Let's make sure that there is nothing in the house and outside with which he can injure himself or remain imprisoned. That there are no dangerous places, holes, walls, unevenness where he could fall. It would be advisable to accompany him at least for the first period of going out and not leave him alone in the garden if we are not at home. We have to keep an eye on him when he is out.
For safety we could put the microchip and a collar with the safety closure (otherwise it could get entangled and not be able to hover) with our mobile number written on it and specify that it is a blind cat.
A blind cat will learn to move through the space it knows (secured) with the help of hearing, smell, touch and whiskers that allow it to assess depth and avoid obstacles. It is advisable for a blind cat to begin to know the environment in a "gradual" way, starting to familiarize him in a confined environment (it could be a room) and increase "gradually" when the cat seems to know perfectly and safely the area. In the small confined area you can place its kennel which by taking its smells becomes a point of reference, a recognizable and easily traceable place.
At home and in the safe spaces to which the blind cat has access, it is advisable not to move furniture, chairs, the position of the litter box, water and food bowl. Any change causes difficulties for a blind cat, because it is essential for him to always find his things in the same place. That way he doesn't run into it and always easily finds what he needs.
We show the blind cat where to find the litter box, the water bowl and the food bowl and make sure that he has identified the places where he can find what he needs.
We avoid making too much noise because it annoys and scares the blind cat. For him, hearing is very important for orientation.
Before approaching him it is advisable to speak to him in a calm, low toned and harmonious voice, warning him of our arrival and our presence, so he will not be frightened.
We play with him and choose specific games that make noise or smell of food, so that the cat finds them by following the sound or smell. We find many on the market: games that produce rustles, creaks, small rumbles or ringing bells.
WHAT MAY BE THE CAUSES THAT LEAD THE CAT TO BLINDNESS
Blindness can be caused by several factors:
- Inheritance
- Trauma
- Neurological problems
- Cataracts
- Glaucoma
- Ocular tumors
- Inflammations
- Infections and hypertension.
Hereditary causes of blindness are more common in purebred cats.
HOW TO NOTICE THAT A CAT IS BLIND OR PROOFLY VISIBLE
A blind or visually impaired cat appears disoriented, moves little, collides with objects and moves cautiously. If the loss was sudden, the cat may be stressed and afraid.
Blindness can affect even only one of the two eyes, so it is good to approach without making noises that can scare him, on the side where he does not see.
And then a blind cat has eye discomfort, eyes that rub or squint and which, as owners, we must inspect. Just see if they look different than usual. For example, in reacting to light, perhaps with dilated pupils, or in watering or appearing blurred, inflamed or faded.
As soon as we realize that our four-legged friend has vision problems, we need to bring him quickly for a check-up at the vet.
The reasons that can lead to blindness are many: some serious and others reversible (such as hypertension) if taken and treated in time. It is very important to immediately take him to a good ophthalmologist veterinarian and have us make a correct diagnosis to know how to best intervene and when to carry out the monitoring checks and to make sure that the other senses are not damaged.
I have been living for 12 years with a blind kitten, Omera you see in the picture. All the people who see her do not believe that she is blind, so much so that she is casual, good and competent in moving around: she also climbs trees, chairs and armchairs. It is special. She sleeps in the room with us and is free to walk around the house and go out in our secure garden. She lives quietly with 20 cats and 1 dog fearlessly and in harmony.
Truly, with little effort, kittens with disabilities can be guaranteed to have a safe, beautiful and fun life in the company of their friends.