Onyx is blind ??

[AlleyCat]

My heart is breaking as I write this. Onyx has lost some or all of her eyesight, and quite suddenly. This was a side effect of Baytril (a side effect I was NOT warned about prior to giving Onyx these meds for treating a bladder infection and just told about today - she does not tolerate amoxicillin products so the vet put her on Baytril instead.) I'm furious at myself that I didn't ask about severe side effects and I'm furious at the vet for not telling me anything even if I didn't ask. She is seeing an opthamalogist on Monday to determine how much eyesight she has remaining, if any. Hubby and I think she may be seeing shapes but today she didn't even see Millie and walked right into her - yes, the 20 pound Millie.... I'm so sad for Onyx and I hope the opthamalogist has something good to say on Monday.

[carole]

Oh gosh I was very sad to read your post, that is very irresponsible of your vet not to warn you about the side effects or not to offer something else, I do hope when Onxy see's the eye specialist you get some good news, hopefully it is not as bad as you think or maybe it will get better, HUGS and fingers and paws crossed here for a good outcome.

[krazyaboutkatz]

I'm so sorry to hear about Onyx.:( I never knew that Baytril could have this kind of a side effect. I was giving this to Storm for his last UTI and I was never told about this side effect either. I sure hope that the opthamalogist will be able to help her. All fingers and paws are crossed here. Good luck and please keep us updated.

[QueenScoopalot]

I'd be inclined to hand the bill from the specialist over to your vet who prescribed Baytril! :mad: Baytril is often not even prescribed by my vets due to the numerous side effects, and when it is on rare occasions, it's a very tiny amount. I sure hope Onyxs vision loss is reversible. :(

[catmandu]

IM VERY SAD,TO HEAR ABOUT ONYX,AND YOU SHOULD TURN,THAT BILL,OVER,TO THE VET,FOR NOT GIVING YOU,THE LOWDOWN,ON THOSE SIDE EFFECTS.
THAT,IS SDA NEWS,FOR ONYX,AND YOU,AS YOU WILL HAVE,TO BE CAREFUL,UNTIL ONYX,CAN GET USED,TO HE LACK,OF SIGHT.

BUT MY PRINCESS,IS ALMOST COMPLETELY SIGHT IMPAIRED,AND SHE GETS ALONG WELL
SHE IS AN OLDER CAT,AND IS FAIRLY SETTLED.IF ONYX,IS A YOUNGER,MORE ACTIVE CAT,SHE MAY MORE MORE PROBLEMS,BUT IF THERE IS ANYTHING,THAT A CAT,IS ABLE,TO DO,ITS TO ADJUST,TO THE SITUATION.
YOU,MAY HAVE TO KEEP ONYX,IN ONE ROOM,ON A TEMPORARY BASIS,UNTIL SHE ADJUSTS.
THE ONLY GOOD THING,IS THAT CATS SEE,MORE WITH THIER SENSE,OF SMELL,AND THIER WHIKSERS,THAN THIER EYES,BLINDNESS,FOR A CAT,IS NOWHERE NERA,AS BAD,AS BLINDNESS,FOR A PERSON.

PRAYERS,FOR COMING,FOR ONYX.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v621/catmandu/Picture626.jpg

[smokey the elder]

Known serious side effects should be disclosed. I've had cats on Baytril a few times and never knew about this. Since my foster's chemo I research every med they get on the Internet. I hope the effect is reversible; some are once the drugs are stopped.

[Randi]

I'm so very sorry to hear Onyx has gone blind because of Baytril. :( :( I do hope she'll get her sight back. Please don't blame yourself, your vet should have told you about possible sideeffects. :mad:

Fister and I are keeping all paws and fingers crossed for Onyx.

Here's a link: http://presplus.onza.net/Dogma/Baytril.htm

[Maya & Inka's mommy]

Oh no, that is horrible!! Can a mdeicine cause blindness:eek: :confused: ; your vet should have warned you about the risks...:( :(

[catnapper]

I am so sorry. Hopefully there is something to help her. We all know very welll that a blind cat can still be happy and healthy thank to Magoo and now Gracie and Gabe.

Still... its painful ot see a perfectly sighted cat lose their sight as a side effect to a drug.

[Shady]

Almost a year ago now my Tinkerbelle developed a UTI, they gave her two rounds of Clavamox, all that did was make her sicker and not able to keep anything down. She spent a couple of nights at the vet's and they began injections of Baytril and Pepcid. That did the trick..and we have had no more problems, it did not affect her sight.

I am shocked and saddened at your news.

I also was not informed at the time of administration of Baytril of this extreme side effect.

My heart goes out to you, and to Onyx, I do hope there's something that can be done.

[jazzcat]

Oh gosh, I'm so sorry. I had no idea Baytril could do that. I just gave that to Ripley back in Feb. for a bladder infection. The vet never mentioned any side effects.

[RedHedd]

OMG! Mishi was prescribed to be on Baytril for THREE MONTHS when he had that bout with his kidneys back in late May. I had NO IDEA of these side effects. He's almost done with his "treatment" I was kind of shocked that he had to be on an antibiotic for such a long time and wonder what's the purpose now that he seems fine.

I've seen no side effects in Mishi except that he seems to have gotten a lot healthier. But now I'm worried. I'm so sorry about Onyx. That web link says it's irreversible. How horrible!

I'm going to call my vet tomorrow!

[Laura's Babies]

This is AWFUL!! The vets should warn everyone of ANY possiable side effects so we can weight the benifits verses the possiable side effects. That vet made a decision that only you had the right to make...

LESSON LEARNED: Research all meds we give our babies BEFORE it is given!

[Russian Blue]

Oh, how horrible! I'd be ready to sue the vet if I could since he didn't properly disclose the side affects.

I hope that this may be a temporary side effect and the vision will return.

[rg_girlca]

Oh gosh, how horrible for Onyx and for you having to see him this way.

Prayers and positive thoughts on the way.

[sirrahbed]

:( oh NO!!! I would certainly contact the manufacturer - Bayer. The vet may not have been informed about this side effect - but OH MY GOSH I hope he is well aware now. I am so sorry!!:(

FDA link about Baytril and feline blindness (http://www.fda.gov/cvm/baytrilDDL.htm)

edit: Please direct any questions about Baytril or any of the Bayer products to Bayer Veterinary Services, 800-422-9874

[Craftlady]

Bayer HealthCare, LLC
Animal Health Division
P.O. Box 390
Shawnee Mission, KS 66201

Or call Bayer Customer Service at 1-800-633-3796

[momcat]

Oh no! Prayers being prayed for Onyx.....

[lvpets2002]

:( Oh you poor baby Onyx & I am so sad for you & hope the eye doct. can be of help.. Now in my case my past vet gave my dog to much of high dosages of med for her thyroid prob & now she is 3/4 blind in both eyes & yes I was :mad: & told the vet all about it & now use diff vet.

[catmandu]

YOU,WILL HAVE TO BE CAREFUL,THE WAY,THAT YOU APPROACH OYNX,UNTIL SHE,IS SETTLED.
THE THING,ABOUT THE FOUND CATS,IS THAT THEY SEEMED,TO RECOGNIZE THAT PRINCESS,HAD A HANDICAP,AND ARE VERY CAREFUL,WITH HER,EVEN PRECIOUS,WHO USED,TO CHASE,THE PRINCESS AROUND.
AND SCRAPPY 2,AND THE PRINCESS,ARE FRIENDS,NOW,THAT SCRAPPY 2,IS MATURING.
GOOD LUCK,WITH ONYX,AND PLEASE KEEP US,IN TOUCH.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v621/catmandu/Picture626.jpg

[AlleyCat]

I will keep you all updated. I've been making sure she finds her water and food and litterbox. We moved to a new house last month and I'm grateful it has already been a month so she knows her surroundings as she seems to be making her way around pretty well. Just a little disoriented. I will be seeing the vet tomorrow and will let you know what happens.

[NoahsMommy]

Oh honey, I'm so sorry. :(

When I worked at the vet, they typically prescribed Baytril for the rabbits, birds and rodents, not kitties. But I never knew why.

Gosh, this has to be horrible for you. And our poor Onyx.

((((hugs))))) to you both. I'll be praying the opthomologist can offer some answers and a reversal for Onyx.

Take care,
Kelly

[furrykidsmother]

OMG!!! How horrible!! I am hoping and praying that Onyx will be all right! I too had to give a course of it to Gidget after her surgery and 2 rounds of Clavamox! Fortunately, she suffered no ill effects, but that is terrible!! We were not warned of any side effect either.

[smokey the elder]

The info in the Dear Doctor letter suggests that the blindness may be reversible, is VERY rare and dose-dependent. Was Onyx on a very high dose? It also suggests that Baytril should not be prescribed for more than one month. Did the cat have injected meds? As of 2000 these were not approved for cats.

[Randi]

How is Onyx doing today? I feel so sad about her. :(

I think (as someone else suggested) you should write a letter to Baytril and tell them about this! :mad: Things like this happening should be written loud and clear on the packet - and all vets ought to know it too!

[AlleyCat]

Originally posted by smokey the elder
The info in the Dear Doctor letter suggests that the blindness may be reversible, is VERY rare and dose-dependent. Was Onyx on a very high dose? It also suggests that Baytril should not be prescribed for more than one month. Did the cat have injected meds? As of 2000 these were not approved for cats.

She was only on it for 5 days. And depending on how you interpret the letter, she was on a rather high dose. Not more than what they suggested, but pretty much the maximum. I think she should've had a lower dose, but I didn't know to question that when I picked that up. Depending on the outcome of her vet visit today I probably will send off a letter, especially since she was only on it 5 days.

[AlleyCat]

We're back from the vet. The opthamalogist confirmed that she is at least partially blind. Vague shapes is about all Onyx is seeing, he thinks. Given that the onset was so quick -- only 5 days of meds -- it happened so fast that he thinks this will be permanent. If it were a gradual loss of vision then possibly it could be reversed to some degree, but he doesn't think that's going to happen to Onyx in her case.

My heart breaks for all the squirrels and birds she will never see again, for all the toys she won't play with anymore. We'll have to make adjustments with the litterbox and food and get her more "noisy" toys that she will play with, hopefully. She's only 12 and her bloodwork is very good so I have no reason to think she can't go on for a long time.

I just feel awful that this could have been prevented had we known about the potential side effects. I would have had to weigh bladder infections + urine accidents (she can't tolerate amoxicillin products - she vomits violently) to the potential side effect of blindness in Baytril, and it's hard to know now AFTER the fact, but I would like to think had I known and weighed this, I probably would've opted not to use the Baytril and look for another solution.

Thanks for all your posts and prayers for Onyx. She's truly a sweet cat and we love her, no matter what!

[furrykidsmother]

I am so sorry to hear this and so very angry that they didn't tell you about possible side effects. I've been thinking about it since last night when I read your post. It is so upsetting. Poor Onyx! As we know there are many special needs kitties and doggies on this site and they all do well, but it is unfortunate that this happened due to a vets lack of giving you information and allowing you to make a decision. I gave the same to my Gidget not knowing that there were side effects and we were lucky, but how many like your Onyx are not!! My heart goes out to you and her. Good thoughts and prayers that she will adjust quickly!

[kittycats_delight]

I am soooo sorry !!! I hope the specialist is wrong and that Onyx shocks em all and gets sight back. It breaks my heart knowing that this is something that never should have happened. I asssure you now my cats will never use Baytril. It doesn't matter if it is a 1/1,000,000 chance we need to be informed about these side effects. I know though that no matter what Onyx will have a happy and comfortable life, you will see to that. And I am sure before long the old Onyx will become her old self again even with impaired vision. Poor baby. Lots of extra cuddles for Onyx from me and the girls

(((((HUGS))))

Michelle & the girls

[Glacier]

i'm sorry to hear this.

I have a completely blind dog. Preacher has progressive retinal atrophy. He's been completely blind for over a year now. You'd never know unless I point it out. He gets around just fine. I can't rearrange my furniture, but that's about it. Preacher finds his way around using his ears and whiskers. He plays with squeaky toys occasionally (he's an older dog so he doesn't play much). I keep his food and water dishes in the same spots. It's fairly remarkable to watch. I was much more upset about him loosing his sight than Preacher was. He just kept going. I bet Onyx will adjust too. I've heard that cats adjust even better than dogs since their whiskers are more sensitive and provide more guidance. I hope Onyx makes a smooth adjustment.

[skneisel74]

I have always heard you feel love through you heart and by touch not by sight. Yes I too am very sad for Onyx, But she will adjust and be a great blind kitty. She does not need to see your love she can feel it. Best wishes at the Eye Doc.......

[Tubby & Peanut's Mom]

OMG! I would be sooo upset, but I imagine you are! Could it be that she has a strong reaction to any antibiotic? Just curious because it seems odd that she can't tolerate Amoxicillin and then this happens with Baytril.

The good news is she can still see shapes, so she's not totally blind, and she may just surprise everyone and get at least partial vision back. Although, like others have mentioned, there are many similarly "handicapped" pets out there that function just fine, and I'm sure she'll adapt and be just fine herself.

It is too bad though, and I would definitely let everyone involved (vet, Bayer, etc) know exactly how I felt about the situation.

I remember Tubby was given Baytril - and possibly Peanut too - when they had UTIs, and never once did the vet mention there was a chance of blindness! With humans, you always get the instructions from the pharmacy with the list of possible side effects - we don't get that from the vet. It's like we're at their mercy to tell us everything unless we do our own research online - and who's going to do that when your baby is in pain and can't pee? It's just a sad sad situation. :(

[momcat]

What devastating news! Your love will get sweet Onyx through what may be ahead. Have you considered writing to your state's veterinary board about this? The vet should have told you about possible side effects before administering the medication. From what other PTers have posted, this seems to be the norm! Vets need to understand the importance of pets in the lives of those of us who love them!
Prayers continue to be prayed for Onyx, and plenty of lovebug being sent.....

[rosethecopycat]

This is deeply upsetting. I am happy that Onyx has a loving family.

My Malfi had Baytril last Thanksgiving. :(

Cuddles for Onyx.

[NKBurlington]

I am crying while reading that her blindness will most likely be permanent.

What a sad and preventable incident to have happened to your lovely Onyx.

I am thinking of you. . . :(

[AlleyCat]

Thank you all so much for your posts and comments. I thought I'd post a couple of new pixs of Onyx:

http://www.chrisandreabeard.com/PTimages/08160501-onyx-small.jpg

http://www.chrisandreabeard.com/PTimages/08160502-onyx-small.jpg

[furrykidsmother]

What a beautiful girl she is. Please let us know how she is adjusting. I hope that she has enough of her vision left to make it easy for her.

[emily_the_spoiled]

One of my guys (Ptolemy) is blind in one eye and has 70% vision in the other. To look at him you would never know that he has problems seeing. The other cats "help" him out sometimes :rolleyes:

But he is the most out going friendly guy you would ever meet. I know that Onyx will be just fine. It is likely more difficult for you to see her lose her eyesight than it is for her.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v173/cfahlman/Ptolemycloseup.jpg

[AlleyCat]

Onyx has been adjusting pretty well. I am so grateful we moved here a month ago as she already knew her surroundings, so that has helped heaps. She's bumped into a few things including the 20-pounder Millie, but other than that she's coped well. I think I was far more upset about this than she is. I don't think it'll be long at all before everything seems normal again, we'll just make sure she continues to eat and use the litterbox with our help if needed. I love it that she's being far more social now - I find that interesting - maybe she wants to be around where she can HEAR things rather than hide and look from a distance. I'm sure all of you with blind or partially-blind kitties can relate. All the feedback and prayers you've written have been great -- Thank You !!

[NKBurlington]

I'm glad to hear that you are both adjusting.

[Randi]

Onyx is such a beautiful girl - I hope she won't suffer, but adjust and get even more spoiled. :)

Kisses and scritchies from me, and headbumpies from Fister.

[jenluckenbach]

I am VERY VERY sorry to read about Onyx's sudden blindness. But if the article (the link Debbie posted) is correct, it states...

Bayer Animal Health estimates that the incidence of vision related reports over the past decade in the U.S. is 0.0008%, or 1 report per 122,414 feline patients treated

That is a MIGHTY slim chance! I have used baytril when it has been prescribed for my cats with no ill effects and I would do so again.
I would not go so far as to bash the vet for not telling you about this possible side effect. If they warned you of every side effect that happened less than 1% of the time in tests, your typical office visit might take 3 days.

Best wishes for Onyx to adjust to her new life. She will do fine!

[sandragonfly]

how so disappointing! I would have told you. :( all of this just simply relived my bad day with one-eared cats last week! one of those "thevetdidnottellus" day...now we have a lesson to remember! :rolleyes: :(

very devastating and sad this has to happen to your (our) dear onyx. yet, really glad she's adjusting okay. (is she still?) I know this isn't easy to hear. . . but a goodness to stick around with, you know? I'm so sorry!

how's she today? onyx's very beautiful. is her eyes completely cloudy?

many headrubs from my furfriends!

[AlleyCat]

Thanks, Gina and everyone else!

Yes, her eyes are still cloudy. But we have seen some pupil retraction every now and then so it would appear as if her eyes are adjusting to light and dark - the opthamalogist said he thought possibly a little bit of eyesight would return, but not all. It's been over a week now and she has adjusted really well -- she's bumped into a few things here and there in the evenings, but other than that it's been pretty normal. She did have 2 urine accidents the other day and I don't know if that's a sign of her bladder infection coming back AGAIN :o or just stress or something .. It was 2 days ago and none since, so ...

[DJFyrewolf36]

Awwwwww no! I just saw this! Poor Onyx :(

I didn't realize you had an Onyx kitty (I'm not very observant). I just got a kitty named Onyx (my roomate named her) and she is such a love. I'm praying that your Onyx will be well soon!

*hugs*

Fyrewolf, Remus, Spook and Onyx

[sandragonfly]

oh dear no. I hope it's not because one of those you said. probably it's because of stress if this accident happens again!

about her bumping into things, hope it'd not get worse. glad it's, likewise normal.

onyx, please tell me those accidents were just the accidents! it looks like you'll do fine, keep your muzzle up, girl!!

(((onyx))) & especially (((meowmie)))

..gina