blind cat

[marso192]

I have a cat  who is 21 and is blind and almost  deaf, he is now walking into furniture and, he constantly wants to eat and crys to go out when he has just come in. Iam worried for him as I just don't know what to do, please any information would be so helpful. Thank you.

[shannon781]

Hi marso, it sounds like your kitty most likely has feline hyperthyroidism. What happens is that their thyroid gland becomes overproductive and speeds up the metabolism. This makes them have to drink and urinate more and they tend to have a voracious appetite, even though they are bone skinny. Another side effect of this increased metabolism is high blood pressure. When the blood pressure is high for long enough, it can cause their retinas to detach and they become blind. It is diagnosed with simple blood work and the clinical signs (just looking at the cat along with the history). I think that your cat could benefit from treatment. It is called methimazole and can be given as an oral tablet or a transdermal pen on the skin (ear) twice daily. I think these cats are very uncomfortable and can get aggitated or aggressive because everything inside them is "ampped up". It is hard to say whether the blindness can be reversed, but I think it will help the cat to not be so anxious and to decrease the drinking, urination, and the urge to constantly eat.

[opus88]

hi...so sorry your elderly kitty is going thru so many hardships. I would strongly recommend a special needs kitty especially not be allowed outside. with sight and hearing issues he is just prey for large strong kitties in the neighborhood.
I would imagine given his age and wanting to constantly be let out he very likely is wanting to pee all the time, this is a very good sign he has kidney disease or he could also be suffering from crystals &/or a urinary tract infection. all these are extremely painful. the crystals could block his urinary tract and his bladder could burst, you have no idea if he is passing urine since he goes outdoors .
I would strongly suggest you put a litter box in your home to monitor his bladder habits, and I would also strongly suggest he see a Veterinarian for some blood tests and urine specimen culture..
best of luck....he has lived a long and loved life. keep us posted♥