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[animalangel1]

No, I don't think it's an arthritis issue.... he can get up on the top shelves of the closets without any problems.  The ONLY place he misses (by jumping too short) is from the floor to the arm on my side of the couch.  He has adjusted by now jumping onto the ottoman, walking across me and then climbing onto the arm.  Oddly enough - he has not (that I know of) had any problem jumping up on our bed and that is the same exact height as the arm on the couch - 27 inches. (I just measured them.)

I think it is an eyesight issue but I cannot pinpoint exactly what it is.  The arm of the couch is quite wide (it's a pillow top arm) and the bed is a king.  Unless he can't determine width, rather than depth.  I don't know. 

[galensgranny]

Probably some type of vision problem.  At least he isn't trying to do wild and crazy jumps from one surface several feet through the air to another surface and then missing the landing.  My Sumner flies through the air from my desk several feet to the arm of the stuffed chair, and it amazes me every time. He does it effortlessly.  One minute he is on the desk, and in a nanosecond, he is on the arm of the chair!     Sumner's "leg springs" are in exceptional shape, and so far, so is his vision.   If his vision does start to fail, I hope he will stop those fly through the air kind of leaps.  At least he is currently doing them where if he missed the landing, it would only be around two or three feet to the floor.

[animalangel1]

The only jump my cats would have to make of any "distance" would be from the foot of our bed to their bed on our dresser - less than two feet away.  Other than that, there are no places in our house to jump to and from. They can walk on top of furniture etc. to get around the entire circumference of the living room and the closet shelves are staggered so they are like steps up to the top.  Our house is very "kitty friendly"! 

[kb2zct]

So, Marshall and Maple had their physicals with Dr. Kate this evening.  All was good with them, of course, and each had two shots.

During the exam, Dr Kate mentioned that M, who was pet sitting for me over the weekend, let her know that Little Bit was getting around quite well.  I told her that the only silver lining in this cloud was that I had though that Little Bit's vision was simply getting worse, not gone all together,  So, there is hope in this. 

Quite honestly, I think Little Bit is taking it better than me.

Mark

[galensgranny]

I am glad Little Bit has adjusted rather well.

[Timambmin]

How are things now Mark?

How is your dad?

As mentioned in another thread the owner of the blind cat has left the cat I to her vets with a UTI & said she does not want him back - he is only 6 years old. Poor little guy, deserves so much better.

I am going to give the link to this forum thread to the lady who co-ordinates rescue work with the Vets where the cat currently is.  It will be so helpful to any e should they agree to foster this little guy.

[kb2zct]

My father is doing quite well.  Thank you for asking.

With regards to Little Bit, he is doing quite well.  He uses his whiskers to "see" - that is to avoid bumping into things.

However, I do find him under foot more often, and I have to be very careful not to step on him (or his tail).  He now tends to act more like an "older cat" (getting up to eat, go the bathroom, etc, but preferring to stay in one place).   The problem is, of course, the "preferred place" is where Vanya likes to stay (she is my deaf cat).  So, every night I have a bit of an issue about "the spot".  When Little Bit does not get "the spot" he heads upstairs (which the other cats avoid).

It is not the best outcome, but it is workable (given that I have five other cats).

Mark

[galensgranny]

Maybe you can make a new "spot" that might become a "preferred place" for Little Bit, or maybe even Vanya.  Of course, with cats, a spot we might make and think they will like isn't always what the cats actually do like.

[kb2zct]

I thought it is time for an update on Little Bit.

I noticed that Little Bit's eyes were changing color and becoming cloudy.  Dr Kate, of course, wanted to look at him and see what was happening.

Basically, the changes in his eye color (the reflection on the back of his eyes) is normal.  His progressive retinal atrophy continues to progress to the point where there are no longer any blood vessels visible in his eyes, and his lenses are becoming thicker and cloudy.  He still has some awareness of light, as his pupils respond, but the response is slower than it should be. 

As it has been 6 months since his last visit, we also did blood work on him.  In the past, his kidney values have been elevated.  However, this round of blood work was the best he has ever had; his levels were all normal.

So, the changes in his eyes are normal, and his blood chemistry has improved.  A good vet visit.

Mark 

[mrsgreenjeens]

great news on his blood work!