My 13 week old kitty going blind =( *Update-Post 31*

[MyCatMowgli]

Well, Mowglis blood work was normal! Which I guess is good, but the vet suspects that he has juvenile cataracts. So I need to go pick up eye drops to make sure they dont get infected.

Now, here is the part where I need some advice/general info from people who have had experience.

The doctor is suggesting surgery, as soon as possible.

How many of you have gone through this with your cats/kittens? Is it worth it.
The doctor said it is about $3500, which I have absolutely no idea where Im going to find this money considering I am in the process of looking for a job while I type this! Man, I was planning on getting pet insurance too, but I didnt think this type of thing would happen in the first month of ownership of my first pet that is 100% mine!

The Dr. said the other option is eye extraction. Which is alot cheaper, but jeez, Im not going to have his sight removed if I can save it somehow! That is just horrible to think about.

This eye surgeon is supposed to be very good, even completing successful surgery on turtles! I dont know how hard that is, but it sounds hard to me!


So has anyone had this done for their cats?! How did it turn out!?

Im so scared right now, lol.

[CultureJunky]

For some reason I have missed this post, so sorry! I hope Mowgli can have something done about his cataracts. I will keep him in my prayers for you and hope it all works out. I am eagerlyl awaiting to read the advice the others have about his eyes...

[critters]

Why does he want to take the baby's eyes, even if you choose not to have the cataracts removed? That doesn't make any sense to me. Why can't you decide to leave the cataracts alone, like they used to do with human babies with cataracts?

[Medusa]

That was going to be my question, too. I'm not sure I understand why total removal of the eye is necessary if you choose not to have the cataracts removed. This is tough for a new cat mom, that's for sure. The expense of surgery is staggering, too. Catty1 can probably lead you to some links that can possibly help w/the expense. I've not had experience w/finding funds but should the time come when I need to, I won't hesitate to contact whomever I need to. I've also not had experience w/cataracts in cats. (That's just about the only thing I haven't had experience with. LOL) Mega prayers going out to you that you can get this resolved quickly, easily and in peace......

[MyCatMowgli]

Why does he want to take the baby's eyes, even if you choose not to have the cataracts removed? That doesn't make any sense to me. Why can't you decide to leave the cataracts alone, like they used to do with human babies with cataracts?

Well they might not need to remove them right away, but supposedly juvenile cataracts have a high risk of becoming infected and I guess thats bad.

I only talked over the phone, and still need to meet with the actual optometrist, so I dont know for sure when that would need to be done!

Oh, and for the record Im actually a new Cat Daddy! I never made that clear!

[Medusa]

Oh gosh, sorry 'bout that! I should've checked your profile before I said anything, Dad. My humble apologies......

[emily_the_spoiled]

I can not attest to cataract removal in cats, but in humans it is an "easy" surgery with very few complications and the big payoff is that the person does not go blind. Cataracts will usually only occur once, so it will not be a re-occuring problem for Mogwli.

Good luck!

[Freedom]

Sugar had cataract surgery in January. She is 10 year old bichon, so it is a bit different; age related cataract vs. juvenile & dog vs. cat. But I am SO glad we did this. She can SEE! Well worth it. We only did one eye for now, on the surgeon's recommendation. One eye was completely blind with the cataract. The other has about 30% peripheral vision. So the surgeon recommended doing the blind eye, that way if anything went wrong, the dog still had the limited vision.

For funding, you can try www.imom.org.
For payment plans, you can try www.carecredit.com

Also, check with your state veterinary association. The RI vet group does have a grant program.

Is there a vet nuniversity program near you? They may have a funding option; however, that may require that you use their facilities and docters; it sounds as though you have found an excellent surgeon already. maybe his office also has some suggestions for funding options.

[kb2yjx]

I second Freedom's idea about the vet school near to where you live and to check out if they can help!!! Your little fella is a cutie!!! My Boo lost her vision at 15.She had been fine and one day ran into the wall!!! She lived with 8 other cats at the time and Spunky became even more devoted to her! She lived another year, then kidney disease got her. Dad, like a previous post said, you were sent Mowgli for a reason!!! Many prayers for you both!!!

[mrspunkysmom]

Having had cataracts surgery myself, I can say it is easy. I would get a second opinion for your cat. And do some web research, but keep in mind there are fifty-eleven opinions out there.

This looks to be a good link:

info on cataracts

[catmandu]

Whatever Happens The Pet Angels Wil Be There For Mowgli To Comfort Him.
And All Of Us At The Found Paradise Cat Hotel Are Sending Prayers That Come What May, Mowgli Will Be All Right!!!

[rg_girlca]

I am so sorry to hear that this is happening to the first cat you have ever own and he sure is a real cutie patootie.

Prayers and positive thoughts on the way for Mowgli, that his eyesight will be saved.

[mruffruff]

The cataract surgery would be the best way to go if you can. The cost is awful, but the results are usually amazing.

The doctor may have suggested removal because it would eliminate the possibility of other disease (such as glaucoma) or injury because the eyes would not be protected by blinking. I would certainly ask.

[phesina]

We are all saying our prayers for dear little Mowgli.

Love, hugs, and purrs,
Pat and cats