Some of you may remember a senior cat named Dottie, who was profiled on the PAWS of Norwalk Patch blog about a year ago.
Blindness in cats (as well as dogs) is the loss of vision in both eyes due to trauma, cancer, corneal problems, cataracts, retinal diseases and glaucoma. Just like humans, cats learn to rely on their other senses. Their sense of smell and hearing are much more developed than ours.
The sense of smell is superior and is one of the compensatory ways they interact with their environment. A cat's nostrils are working constantly. Although small and compact, their nose houses 19 million odor-sensitive cells as compared to 5 million in humans.
In addition, cats are equipped with glands that secrete pheromes, which are identifying scents that help them find their way around the house. When they rub their cheeks against something (including you) they are depositing their scent marks. A cats' sense of hearing is equally amazing, capable of hearing high frequency sounds well out of our range. Their ability to locate the source of a sound is highly advanced.
Blind cats and dogs are termed special needs, but we like to think of them as "other-abled" pets, who despite their disability can be active, loving companions.
Dottie, who is not only blind, but a senior of approximately 14 has had a rocky life. She was living on the periphery of a feral colony, obviously not integrated with the rest, when she was trapped. She came to PAWS in March 2011 and has been friendly and affectionate.
Around June 2011 she was found to have glaucoma and the right eye became detached and warranted removal. Dottie did not adjust as well as one would hope and she became timid and frightened. Glaucoma had stolen her sight in one eye and then just as insidiously, staked a foothold in her left eye within only a matter of weeks. Unfortunately, that eye also was removed in July and Dottie was plunged into a world of darkness.
Yet Dottie held onto a glimmer of hope. In spite of all she has endured, she has trusted human contact and has responded well.
I'm happy to say that after all this time Dottie went home today with a foster mom, a lovely woman from South Wilton Veterinary Group. (Thank you!)
All of us here at PAWS in Norwalk are so happy for Dottie.
"I once was lost, but now am found, was blind, but now can see." (Amazing Grace)
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