Blind Kitten with seizures

[jen_r_b]

Dear Dr.

I have recently adopted a kitten.  She is four months old and has no vaccines.  She recently came down with a bad respitory infection that affected her breathing.  It was diagnosed as viral and she was put on antibiotics (we visited an emergency vet because it was Sunday).  She tested neg. for feline leuk.  The same day as the vet visit, she became disoriented and started bumping into things and walking right off the edge of the bed!  Her pupils were (are) fully dialated, constantly.  She apparently became blind.  Along with this sudden blindness, she began having seizures.  Three in twenty-four hours.  I took her to my regular vet who actually able to witness a seizure on the exa table.  They seem to be brought on by stress.  The vet was unable to give me any explanation or certain outcome and put the kitten on Phenolbarbitol and Valium.  Her resp. infection seems to be much better and the meds knock her out.  I did some research and the only thing I found causing resp. infections, seizures, and blindness was cryptococcus infection of the nasal passages that has spread.  Does this seem possible to you and should I consult my vet with this?

[Aleda M Cheng, D.V.M., C.V.A]

Toxoplasmosis, Cryptococcis,  Bartonella, Feline infectious peritonitis,  feline immunodeficiency, and feline leukemia virus often present as anterior and posterior uveitis, chronic uveitis, retinal detachment, and secondary glaucoma,  which just means that systemic diseases can result in ocular disease such as sudden onset of blindness.  Your cat did test neg for feline leuk. but your cat should be tested for these other common diseases.  Feline infectious peritonitis, and Feline immunodeficiency are viral infection have no cures but can helped by boosting the immune system.  Toxoplasmosis, Cryptococcis, and Bartonella can be treated with the appropriate medications.

[zodiacqueen]

This sounds like it might be distemper.  I've read symptoms of this, and your kitten fits some of them.  I sure wish I knew what the treatment is for this.  Did your vet check for this?

I'm also wondering what antibiotics your kitten was put on-was it baytril?  I have heard of baytril causing blindness.

I really wish you and your kitten best wishes for a good outcome.  I know this must be incredibly stressful for you, so take care of yourself, too!