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- Jan 13, 2017
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Please don't read if you are squeamish or sensitive about eyes! My cat is happy and healthy, he just can't see. I'd be really grateful if anyone has firsthand knowledge that could help to settle this difference of opinion between two vets. What would you do?
2017:
My cat Wilbur was found in our garden at five weeks old in 2017 (stray kitten) with a severe worm/parasite infection that stuck his eyes closed. The vet (local vet in the Philippines) cared for him for two weeks, giving some kind of antibiotic shots, until the infection fully cleared and he came to live with us. However, he was blind and a 'layer' had grown over his eyes (sorry, I don't know the term so can't google it) that gradually turned black.
Today:
Today, he went to a different vet (seems higher quality, since she does international standard ISO microchips etc.) and when the vet noticed his eyes, she said she could remove the 'layer' with surgery and possibly restore his sight, if the eyes are healthy underneath. Even though the earlier vet didn't think this was possible, the new vet thinks it's "75% possible" and wanted to try it on at least one eye.
We've arranged for the surgery next Monday, but I'm worried that it won't do anything and he'll suffer with more pain for no reason. I don't know what his "new" eyes would be like for him if he was still blind after, if they would just heal over again or always feel sensitive. Obviously it would be AMAZING if he could see, but I accepted his blindness long ago, so I'm not going to get excited about it, in case it's not possible. (I would also be very angry about the vet who made us think he couldn't see for almost three years and has made him suffer, but I'll leave that for now).
Photos (not pleasant):
In case it's possible to tell from photos, here are some pictures of what his eyes looked like during the original care in 2017, when he was treated to clear the infection but no surgery. Is it possible to tell if his eyes have survived or if they're too badly damaged underneath and should just be left alone? The new vet hasn't seen these old pics for reference.
Thank you for your time. I'm currently planning for him to have the treatment, but would be grateful to know if it's just not an option and we should cancel. (If it's a good idea and it goes ahead, I'll update next week with the results, of course).
2017:
My cat Wilbur was found in our garden at five weeks old in 2017 (stray kitten) with a severe worm/parasite infection that stuck his eyes closed. The vet (local vet in the Philippines) cared for him for two weeks, giving some kind of antibiotic shots, until the infection fully cleared and he came to live with us. However, he was blind and a 'layer' had grown over his eyes (sorry, I don't know the term so can't google it) that gradually turned black.
Today:
Today, he went to a different vet (seems higher quality, since she does international standard ISO microchips etc.) and when the vet noticed his eyes, she said she could remove the 'layer' with surgery and possibly restore his sight, if the eyes are healthy underneath. Even though the earlier vet didn't think this was possible, the new vet thinks it's "75% possible" and wanted to try it on at least one eye.
We've arranged for the surgery next Monday, but I'm worried that it won't do anything and he'll suffer with more pain for no reason. I don't know what his "new" eyes would be like for him if he was still blind after, if they would just heal over again or always feel sensitive. Obviously it would be AMAZING if he could see, but I accepted his blindness long ago, so I'm not going to get excited about it, in case it's not possible. (I would also be very angry about the vet who made us think he couldn't see for almost three years and has made him suffer, but I'll leave that for now).
Photos (not pleasant):
In case it's possible to tell from photos, here are some pictures of what his eyes looked like during the original care in 2017, when he was treated to clear the infection but no surgery. Is it possible to tell if his eyes have survived or if they're too badly damaged underneath and should just be left alone? The new vet hasn't seen these old pics for reference.
Thank you for your time. I'm currently planning for him to have the treatment, but would be grateful to know if it's just not an option and we should cancel. (If it's a good idea and it goes ahead, I'll update next week with the results, of course).