Causes of Sudden Vision Loss in Cats
Learn More About Potential Triggers of Abrupt Blindness in Felines
Apr 14, 2009 Adrienne Farricelli
It all happened very suddenly, you woke up one morning only to find your cat to appear quite disoriented while occasionally bumping into objects. As you look into your cat's eyes, you notice also large black, dilated pupils, further providing confirmation of what you were already suspecting. Yet, your cat did not show any symptoms of impending vision loss in any of the preceding days. Disturbed, you decide to have your cat evaluated by your vet.
Potential Causes of Sudden Blindness in Cats
- Uncontrolled High Blood Pressure
Sudden blindness in cats especially in their geriatric years is not too uncommon. The most common cause of sudden blindness is hypertension, the medical term depicting high blood pressure. When high blood pressure reaches a certain level, retinal detachment takes place.
- Thyroid, Kidney, Heart and Blood Glucose Disorders
In cats, usually the high blood pressure is secondary to underlying conditions, the most common being kidney problems, hyperthyroidism, heart disease and diabetes. It is very helpful therefore, to have the cat undergo various blood tests and thyroid panels, in order to go to the root of the problem.
- The Use of Baytril to Treat Infections
The use of Baytril has been associated with sudden blindness in cats. Unfortunately, this type of vision loss is permanent and irreversible however, this side effect is quite rare.
How to Assess Your Cat's Loss of Vision
- By pointing a flash light about 2 inches away towards your cat's eyes in a dark room, you should be able to find out important pertinent information about potential blindness.The action of the cat's pupils responding to light is called 'pupillary light reflex'. If the cat's dilated pupils respond to the light by constricting (shrinking in size), this usually indicates that the eyes are functioning; however there may still be a central neurological problem, whereas, if the cat's dilated pupils do not respond by constricting, this usually indicates that the triggering cause lies within the retina or optic nerve.
- You can also test your cat's vision by performing a "menace response test". In this scenario, you will have to drop a cotton ball on the cat's face and see if the cat responds by blinking. If the cottonball hits the face and the cat does not try to avoid it by blinking or moving away its face, this often suggests a lack of blinking reflex associated with loss of vision.
Prognosis of Retinal Detachment due to Hypertension
Fortunately, when caught in time, many times this type of blindness is reversible once the blood pressure is again under control. Time is of the essence though, the faster the blood pressure is brought down the higher the chances of the cat's retinas to attach again and vision to restore. According to Dr. Norsworthy, in an article of the June 1996 Vet Forum magazine, when cats are treated within a day or so, vision may be restored in 50% of cats when given the blood pressure medication Norvasc (Amlodipine).
Disclaimer: the above article is not to be used as a diagnostic tool nor as a substitute for professional veterinary advice. If your cat appears blind, please refer promptly to your veterinarian or veterinarian opthamologist for professional assessment.
Constricted pupils are a good sign of vision
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