Print

Please login or register.
1 Hour 1 Day 1 Week 1 Month Forever
Login with username, password and session length

[animalangel1]

Yes, I do think that would be the hardest part.  My thoughts and prayers are with you both.

[galensgranny]

There is a lot to adjust to, for both you and Little Bit, and also the other cats and Gracie.  Glad you have shared many of the things people might not think of.  I do wonder at his not easily finding the kibble bowl full of food.  I guess the kibble doesn't have a very strong scent to zero in on it exactly.  Have you tried putting a mat that feels different from the floor under the kibble bowl, so he can use the sensations on his paws to know when he is at the food bowl?

While it might seem sad that Little Bit has dropped in status, on the other hand, the other cats have risen in status. I hope Maple doesn't keep bothering Little Bit.

[animalangel1]

That's a great idea about a different feeling floor mat, Margaret!!!  Maybe that would help him.......

[kb2zct]

It's been a while, so I though I would post an update on Little Bit.

He continues to do quite well, and is pretty good at getting around the house.  I do have to be very careful about two things:  A) putting anything new in one of his paths and B) knowing when he is underfoot.

As I watch him, it is clear that he has created internal "paths" to and from various places in the house.  Often, these paths run along walls.  Over the years, I'm sure he will "wear out" the carpet along these paths 

Now, as to being careful not to put things in his path....  Over the weekend, I was working on the class for Sunday School as well as generally cleaning up my desk.  When I needed to do some typing, I simply put the stuff on the floor (which is along one of his paths).   He can walking up to the paper, stepped on it, and jumped back.  He was surprised, and his sensory vision (his whiskers) did not let him know something was there. 

I really have noticed how important whiskers are to him.  That is how he knows where obstructions are, and how to avoid them, by using the sensation from his whiskers.

The other thing I have to do is to be very careful where he is.  If he gets underfoot, and I don't know it, and he does not know it, well, we have stepped on parts when that happens.  So far, nothing major....

Mark

[galensgranny]

Cats use their whiskers more than people think.  Whiskers are important. Cat whiskers help with navigation not only by touching against something, but also by being able to detect air currents. So a cat who can't see can still tell if something passed by and how close due to feeling the slight air current against the whiskers.  That's why blind cats can manage better than we might think offhand.

The other thing I have to do is to be very careful where he is.  If he gets underfoot, and I don't know it, and he does not know it, well, we have stepped on parts when that happens.

It's not just a blind cat in "danger" from we clumsy humans.  I walked across the living room yesterday and plowed into a snoozing JoeBob!    I need long whiskers on my feet!

[kb2zct]

Little Bit is adopting, what I might consider to be, older cat behavior.

He tends to find a comfortable spot and stay there by himself.  For example, he has co-opted Vanya's spot at the end of my counter over the dishwasher (and on the pillow, I might add).  But, the good news is that the two of them can coexist on the counter (well, after Little Bit walks the counter to know where she is  - and get her to move off the pillow if necessary).

At night, he wants to be with me.  In fact, he has co-opted Gracie's spot in by my back (Gracie having moved down towards my feet.  Little Bit is happy to be there touching both Gracie and me. 

The other thing I have noticed - and this is not so good - is that the little stinker wants to eat Vanya's prescription dry food in place of his own. She is on a gastrointestinal diet (low in calories, high in fiber, hydrolyzed proteins for easier digestion, etc.).  Normally, any dry food with corn in it causes him problems, but he is doing well eating this.  Now, with that said, I need to figure out how to get some extra calories into him, as he is slowly loosing weight. 

Sometimes, given what he can do, it does not appear that he is blind.  Other times, expecially when he runs into something, I know.

Mark