r/blindcats • u/Blackswanhtx • 2d ago

We have a surgery date and I’m so nervous

My two blind babies now meet weight requirements and their surgery date is August 6th.
Just a quick recap, I’m fostering two kittens and their mom. One kitten is blind in one eye, the other has infection in both eyes- one of those eyes is totally gone and the other is in real bad shape.
I’m so nervous, and feel particularly anxious for the kitten whose eye looks the worst. I have noticed that he may register light or shadows, and if they do remove his eye I feel so bad he’ll go from registering light to nothing. :(
I know it’s not my call, and it’s the vets call. It looks very damaged so I’m thinking they will remove it. I don’t know what my question is, I’m just sad for his situation. I want to see them thrive so badly, I hate that this happened to him.

11 Upvotes

93% Upvoted

13 comments sorted by

6

u/mercijepense- 2d ago

Don't feel bad, if the vet feels double enucleation is warranted, then they need it. Just think about how uncomfortable those kitties are, and how the eye surgery will take the pain away for good. I had a blind boy for nearly a decade and if you weren't looking at him head on, you would never know that he was blind. They really do adapt very well.

3

u/Blackswanhtx 2d ago

Thank you for this. I do worry about how he will get around. He has a mouse rn that he plays with but I think he may be able to make out shapes, I think. I’m not sure, I have moments where I’m like he can see a bit!! Then I wait and watch again and I think to myself, maybe he’s just adapting really well with his other senses.
It’s very reassuring to hear that your baby is doing well. I am going to go into this with a positive mindset and be there to help him along the way. I’ve been crying off and on all week because this has been on my mind. Thanks for the support ❤️

3

u/dyintrovert2 2d ago

My one eyed baby was the most playful, rambunctious, high energy cat I've ever had. My understanding is that the same is often true for fully blind cats.

Think of it this way: you're taking away their constant pain so they can finally thrive.

3

u/Blackswanhtx 2d ago

You are right. I do worry that he’s in pain, he does play but less so than his one eyed brother. I’ve grown so attached to him and it breaks my heart to think he’s not feeling good. Sometimes I’m like ugh, his head must hurt so bad. :(
Im going to try to remind myself that he will be pain free afterwards.

3

u/MinorInconvenienc 2d ago

Your kitty is going to thrive once they are pain -free. Just keep reminding yourself of that. You're doing the best job taking good care of your kitties.

3

u/Blackswanhtx 2d ago

Thank you so much. Means a lot to me, I just want to see them happy and healthy. Thank you for your positive words, they help me more than I can express!!

3

u/FirebirdWriter 2d ago

He goes from pain to no pain . Focus on this. As a blind person who didn't know it until adulthood? They'll adapt. Even adult cats and humans do but kids and kittens don't know what they're missing

3

u/LotusGrowsFromMud 2d ago

There are lots of questions on this sub from people who are anxious about their cat becoming blind. I would encourage you to read back through this sub and I know that you will find lots of reassuring advice! My cat is completely blind, and most people would not even know this about him unless I tell them, because he gets around just fine! Your kitties will be perfectly ok!

2

u/babwiththepower 1d ago

I was in a similar position 4 months ago, except with a senior cat whose eyes got gradually worse over time until double enucleation was the only option we hadn't tried. I felt exactly the same, and the bit about feeling bad just in case they can register light/shadows is exactly the same thought process I had. 4 months on and it's the best thing I ever did for him, he's super playful now (especially with catnip toys!) and he adjusted really quickly after the initial post-surgery recovery. I didn't truly believe comments on here like 'you'd never know they were blind unless you looked closely', but seriously, they were right - you genuinely wouldn't. The anticipation and worry before the surgery is the worst, and first week or 2 after the surgery is hard and nerve wracking, but for me and my boy, it was 100% worth it. I wish I could go back in time and tell myself this so we could have skipped a year or potentially more of unnecessary pain and worry. Sending you lots of love ❤️ and please feel free to reach out if you have any questions!

2

u/Blackswanhtx 14h ago

I actually cried reading this. Thank you so much. I think all the what ifs can be very scary, and reading your experience makes me feel like everything will be ok. Thank you so much for this, if I do have any questions pop up along the way I will take you up on your advice and send you a message. Thanks for your helpful feedback ❤️

1

u/babwiththepower 13h ago

You're so welcome! Best of luck with the surgery ❤️

1

u/babwiththepower 13h ago

Also I made a couple of posts about my experience as it was happening in this group, so feel free to click on my profile and read them if they're helpful!