Info needed about caring for a half-blind cat

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Noon Cat Nick - 13 Apr 2005 18:43 GMT

I just adopted Zeus, a two-year-old neutered male, medium build, yellow
tabby with white paws. The change in the animal has been tremendous. At
the shelter he was docile, passive and quiet. Now that's he's home, he's
turned into a bundle of enthusiasm. He sings and trills and purrs all
the time. He and my other cat Bijou--who's been pining for a catmate
ever since Christian passed away last October--eat, sleep and play
together every day. And when he finally decides to settle down, he can't
wait to get up on my lap or lie down next to me. I've never seen a cat
so demonstrably happy.

The thing is that Zeus's right eye is blind. From the looks of it--blue
and milky--probably he lost sight in it due to some illness when he was
a kitten. Obviously, roaming around free outdoors (which I don't allow
my catkids to do anyway) is out of the question. But I'm wondering what
other considerations there are to living with and taking care of a cat
who has only monocular vision. If anyone out there has had experience
with such cats, or can direct me to any information regarding them,
please let me know. TIA.

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CatNipped - 13 Apr 2005 19:46 GMT

>I just adopted Zeus, a two-year-old neutered male, medium build, yellow
> tabby with white paws. The change in the animal has been tremendous. At
[quoted text clipped - 14 lines]
> with such cats, or can direct me to any information regarding them,
> please let me know. TIA.

There are a few people here who have *totally* blind cats and they seem to
do quite well indoors. If you cat can see out of one eye, I don't think
he'll have any problems at all. Cats seem able to adapt to handicaps that
would take a human completely out of the running! ;>

Hugs,

CatNipped

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Mathew Kagis - 13 Apr 2005 19:48 GMT

<SNIP>

But I'm wondering what

> other considerations there are to living with and taking care of a cat
> who has only monocular vision. If anyone out there has had experience
> with such cats, or can direct me to any information regarding them,
> please let me know. TIA.

Can't really say. There are lots of other folks here who have dealt with
much worse & can give you good advice. My one question for the group is:
Does being blind in one eye affect a feline as it would us? ie. loss of
depth perception?

Signature

Mathew
Butler to 2 kittens: Chablis & Muscat
En Vino Veritas

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Noon Cat Nick - 13 Apr 2005 20:06 GMT

> <SNIP>
>
[quoted text clipped - 8 lines]
> Does being blind in one eye affect a feline as it would us? ie. loss of
> depth perception?

So I've been told. Then again, I've never been able to use both my eyes
together due to endostrabismus, so the whole concept of depth perception
is unclear to me. I know there's something people call depth perception,
but I've never experienced it myself. I guess maybe it's the same with
Zeus. One usually can't miss what one never had.

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Karen - 13 Apr 2005 20:32 GMT

> <SNIP>
>
[quoted text clipped - 8 lines]
> Does being blind in one eye affect a feline as it would us? ie. loss of
> depth perception?

I would guess that it is indeed a hinderance. But I but they just adjust the
kitty math they do in their head for jumps to compensate.

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tracyrose@gmail.com - 13 Apr 2005 20:57 GMT

We had a one-eyed cat at my shelter for quite a while last year - six
year old female. She functioned great - the major problem was with
peripheral vision - she sometimes reacted badly if approached too
abruptly from her "blind side". Easy enough to adjust for. Congrats on
your adoption!

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Karen - 13 Apr 2005 19:52 GMT

> I just adopted Zeus, a two-year-old neutered male, medium build, yellow
> tabby with white paws. The change in the animal has been tremendous. At
[quoted text clipped - 14 lines]
> with such cats, or can direct me to any information regarding them,
> please let me know. TIA.

Probably not much at all. Wow. What a GREAT cat and how wonderful that he
and Bijour just took to each other. would love to see pictures. Do you have
a site?

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Noon Cat Nick - 13 Apr 2005 20:02 GMT

> > I just adopted Zeus, a two-year-old neutered male, medium build, yellow
> > tabby with white paws. The change in the animal has been tremendous. At
[quoted text clipped - 18 lines]
> and Bijour just took to each other. would love to see pictures. Do you have
> a site?

Not yet. Of late I've been busy getting ready for Holy Week and Easter.
(We Eastern Orthodoxers celebrate Pascha this year on May 1.)

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