The title says it all. My cat is currently blind.
He wasn't when I adopted him, but according to the vet, it's a genetic condition and he's been gradually losing his sight.
The changes were subtle. He was always a bit clumsy, but he still jumped on furniture with ease, so I didn't think much of it.
But then, recently, he lost the bell of one of his toys and he stopped reacting to it when I waved it. Because it was silent. But if I tap it on the ground, or move it fast enough to make a sound, he's alert and playful again. I thought maybe he just wanted noisy stuff?
But then again, the foster home I got him from called me to ask if he turned blind like his siblings and I booked an appointment to check because everything was suddenly adding up. Except that my baby was still an adept hunter and had no issue jumping from my bed to my desk. Everything else, though, was adding up.
The vet sent me to a specialist who confirmed that yes, his retina was no longer functioning properly, almost no blood was getting to it. For now, he sees shadows and big shapes, but soon, he won't see anything. Still, he's considered blind.
According to her, it's genetic and there was nothing I could have done to prevent it, slow it down or stop it. And I could have spent years not noticing unless I moved furniture around, because then he'd bump into it. The reason why he was jumping and running around with grace and ease? He memorized the layout. We could play fetch because he could estimate where the toy would land. And he can smell.
It kinda breaks my heart. I know he'll be fine, he's not in pain, and he can clearly manage. But it still makes me sad that he won't be able to see me, or anyone, anymore. It must be so lonely. And confusing. It's not like I can explain to him what's happening. Or more like, what happened.
But I'm doing research so I can care for him properly. I stopped picking him up as often, unless he practically asks for it (Yes, he does, and it's adorable) and I started tapping things when I move them so he knows where they are. Other than that, nothing really changed. Sometimes I even forget he can't see.
He still plays fetch and he loves the new bell on his toy. But yeah, he's blind. And I don't love him any less.
