cat sitting - another possible problem

[alek0]

There is no tint to the eye itself, it is just that one eye is considerably more reflective than the other, and that reflection has sort of orange tinge to it. I can't see anything wrong with the eye other than that difference in reflectivity of the back area.

I would also rather over-panic and have it be nothing, but they are different. We also had so many talks about the food, about taking cats regularly to a groomer quite far away, with no results whatsoever, so I am not too comfortable pushing too much for something I am not even sure is a problem. Cat is young, less than a year old, so high blood pressure causing retinal bleeding is very unlikely, and the only other thing that makes possible sense considering the symptom is PRA that Ned mentioned, I really hope it is not that. If there was any other obvious abnormality with the eye I would take her in, as it is I am not sure, I can't find anything resembling this i.e. clear antechamber, clear cornea, responsive pupil, just that the back surface of one eye is more reflective than the other. I am not sure whether color of reflection makes any difference, since my older two and Sophie have different color of the reflection, and they all have perfectly normal eyes, so I thought that yellow-orange reflection color might just be normal for her.

We'll check on the kitties again tonight, and they are coming back tomorrow and we'll advise them to take her in.

[Sandi K]

I think I was just thinking if its possible its anything that could affect your cats, it would be good to know but it sounds like those cats arent in your house, that you are going to their house to take care of them?   

[alek0]

Yes, we are going to their house to take care of them, the cats belong to girlfriend of bf's brother. Even if they suggested so, I wouldn't accept them in my house since they are regularly taken to a pet shop for grooming. I'd just be too scared of my cats picking up something. As it is, when we go there, wash our hands thoroughly before leaving, rub hands with disinfectant in the building lobby (here after SARS most buildings have hand disinfectant dispenser in the lobby) and then wash hands and remove clothes immediately after arrival.

Also, if anyone has any idea how to explain that cats do not need to be bathed regularly at the groomers without being too pushy, please let me know. I was thinking of suggesting her to go to that petstore at the end of office hours so that she can see for herself how they treat the cats, and hopefully click will happen that after her cats are left alone there they won;t be treated any better.

[Sandi K]

Oh whew I was worried they were in your house.  Im sure its not connected, but I have to admit that FIP concerns have come to mind with that eye problem.  The cat is a purebreed, less than a year old, from a breeder/pet shop owner and eye problems similar to that can be a sign.....although that eye problem can be the result of many other things as well.  Either way I hope its OK.

[alek0]

Doesn't look like FIP, her weight is good (she has actually gotten a bit chubby over past few months), she is not sneezing, urine tests were normal last time, eating normal, stool normal, basically nothing other than one eye having different reflection from the back.

[Sandi K]

Dry FIP doesnt carry alot of the same symptoms that wet FIP does, its progresses more slowly and is more insidious..hard to diagnose.  Ocular issues are more connected to dry FIP than wet FIP. Sometimes the only thing that diagnoses it is the albumin/globulin ratio. But more than likely this isnt the situation anyhow.  If the cat is eating well and not losing weight, thats a good sign.  

Im assuming the owners will get it into the vet when they get home.  Let us know what they find out.  

[alek0]

They are back, and they said their vet said it is normal that kittens sometimes have eyes with different color. I still think it is strange since it is not the color that is different but the intensity of the reflection from the back. The two eyes are same color, they should have same tapetum I guess.

[BW]

Aleko, I may be a bit  paranoid, but are you sure they really took the cat to the vet, or are they saying that to make you happy.  I hope it is true, since I think you seem far more knowledgeable, cautious, and caring than they are.

[merrihart]

Or their vet is second rate.

[JJ]

alek any update on how the kitty is doing now with the eye issue and all?

[alek0]

No changes for the eye. Few days ago at least I had opportunity to talk to them about bringing the cats in for grooming in that pet shop , so hopefully that might change for the better.

[JJ]

Any change for the better will be good for them. Nice you are there to provide 'input' when you can do so in a non-pushy way so they don't feel overwhelmed.