Quick Read: Cats & Dogs Going Blind Overnight

My article in the Withernsea & District Community News distributed to 9000 homes in East Yorkshire
Poppy’s Pets

Cats and dogs can suddenly go blind or develop impaired vision. Hypertension is one cause and should be treated as an emergency with your vet.

Signs of blindness:

1: Pupils are dilated (black area of the eye) and do not change (to black slits)

2: Disorientation in normal surroundings

3: Bumping into furniture and objects it would normally walk around

4: Crouch walking and head hung low

5: Startled easily (especially if deafness is a factor)

6: Stumbling with steps, etc, and reluctance to walk downstairs

7: Overgrooming

8: Weight loss

Tabitha lost her eyesight suddenly from high blood pressure (hypertension)

Hypertension is high blood pressure and if a vet diagnoses this, your pet’s systolic pressure is probably above 160mmHg.

Various veterinary websites advise that cats under 7 years old have blood pressure measured yearly so any potential condition can be detected early, and from 7 years old the test should be twice a year.

Secondary causes – kidney, liver or hyperthyroid

Idiopathic – unknown causes

The cause of hypertension can be secondary causes or Idiopathic. A vet will check your pet’s eyes, take a blood pressure reading, withdraw blood and test for kidney disease, hyperthyroid and liver problems to ensure those factors did not cause hypertension. A urine analysis may be required too. If the results are clear, then hypertension is idiopathic, which means the hypertension is from unknown causes.

A pet may experience a personality change while blood pressure is high:

Withdrawal
Unresponsive brain fog
Depression
Lethargy
Inactive

Please listen to your vet. Lifetime medication will be prescribed to manage hypertension, your pet will need a series of blood pressure tests until the systolic pressure is normal. To help with costs, you can buy a prescription from your vet and purchase medication from an approved online pet pharmacy. Without giving your pet the necessary medication, the illness can cause serious damage to the eyes, heart, kidney, brain and nervous system.

My elderly cat regained some sight because I sought veterinary help quickly and now has an everyday happy life. We are now a year on and Tabitha has blood pressure taken every three months. During this time

Disclaimer:

I am not a veterinary professional. This article does not give a diagnosis but purely awareness as my cat developed hypertension. Other illnesses can cause blindness so if you have concerns about your pet, please contact your vet directly.

Article appeared in the Withernsea District & Community News – 2022

Updated 26 April 2024

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About Lesley

Before residing in the Fenland area of Cambridgeshire, my contributions to the Withernsea & District Community News before its closure, reflected my experience in my chosen genre. Following its closure, The Holderness Gazette approached me regarding a column, but having left East Yorkshire from Domestic Abuse, the opportunity was lost.

With a background in volunteering for the RSPCA, one of Britain's longest-running animal welfare organisations, and the Cinnamon Trust, a charity set up to help the elderly and their pets, my experience extends into fostering and adopting sick pets. The care extends to ill-health including pancreatic problems, dementia, kidney failure, thyroid, diet, arthritis and mobility issues that includes improvising to benefit welfare. I've accumulated practical expertise, and
these firsthand encounters underscore my authority and commitment to advocating for pets' well-being.

With the rise in the cost of veterinary care, medication, food, and products for pets, I use methods to obtain free food and products with incentives, or apps to raise money to pay bills, including swapping expensive goods for brands with the same health benefits.

My About page tells you of my pets that appear in articles and YouTube videos, including my ex-partner's dog Teddy, a courageous Romanian rescue dog with 24 hours remaining before his slaughter. Other pets feature including cheeky budgies Ron & Reggie, and Miranda & Emma, donkeys that belonged to my sister and I.

Guest pets and people appear in articles and YouTube videos - Maisie, Roxy, another Romanian rescue & training, Nell, a puppy farmed dog, Save Our Seized Pets and their fight against the Dangerous Dogs Act, Tuks Law, who fight against the unlawful euthanasia of domestic pets, and recently, a new contributor.

Now free of my own domestic abuse and violence nightmare, I'm dedicated to raising awareness of both people and their beloved animal companions with a series of YouTube videos and articles. This commitment stems from a place of authenticity and genuine concern. Anticipate the launch of a new website and podcasts in 2024, where I'll continue championing these causes close to my heart.

I've recently extended my knowledge with Green Living - these include worm composting, bokashi and eco hacks.

Quick Read: Cats & Dogs Going Blind Overnight

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