Ebony and Stuart….a shadowy journey together
Written by Helen Morrison, President, Board of Directors
Featuring advice from Christine Fournier, Volunteer
Featuring advice from Christine Fournier, Volunteer
I am standing at the window to a colony room that has four gorgeous 5 month old kittens in it. Two are tabbies; two are black. I notice a tabby and a black cuddled up together on the cot in their room. This isn’t the first time. I have noticed them before, together. They are Stuart and Ebony. Stuart is the tabby, Ebony is all black. Both are losing their sight. All four kittens come from a feral colony in a nearby town. The colony of 15 is being lovingly and wisely tended by a wonderful couple.
You can see that something is different in Stuart and Ebony’s eyes…a kind of green shimmer, a cloudiness. They have Progressive Retinol Atrophy, a genetic condition that causes the blood vessels that feed the retina and optic nerve to kind of shrivel and dry up.
We first noticed something was different when watching the four kittens play in the lobby. Stuart and Ebony began to run into things when they were tearing around.
PRA is certainly cause for disappointment. But really…there is nothing about it that is insurmountable. Blind kitties can do just fine. The trick is to not change things in their surroundings. The food, the water, the litter box, the furniture need to always stay in the same place. Like any kitties, they need regular check ups, perhaps a bit more in terms of their eyes. And they need lots of loving and cuddling and a home that is safe for them, where they can’t fall or end up in a situation that is hurtful or even dangerous. Other than that, they will know their surroundings, they will know their humans, and they will be total loves.
Ebony is extremely affectionate and playful. Stuart is a lively lad, full of playful energy.
We feel they are bonded…and so…we are looking for just the right home for them to live happy and healthy lives.
You can see that something is different in Stuart and Ebony’s eyes…a kind of green shimmer, a cloudiness. They have Progressive Retinol Atrophy, a genetic condition that causes the blood vessels that feed the retina and optic nerve to kind of shrivel and dry up.
We first noticed something was different when watching the four kittens play in the lobby. Stuart and Ebony began to run into things when they were tearing around.
PRA is certainly cause for disappointment. But really…there is nothing about it that is insurmountable. Blind kitties can do just fine. The trick is to not change things in their surroundings. The food, the water, the litter box, the furniture need to always stay in the same place. Like any kitties, they need regular check ups, perhaps a bit more in terms of their eyes. And they need lots of loving and cuddling and a home that is safe for them, where they can’t fall or end up in a situation that is hurtful or even dangerous. Other than that, they will know their surroundings, they will know their humans, and they will be total loves.
Ebony is extremely affectionate and playful. Stuart is a lively lad, full of playful energy.
We feel they are bonded…and so…we are looking for just the right home for them to live happy and healthy lives.
|
|
Here are some easy tips that make it easy to care for a blind cat:
💛 Create a safe and consistent environment
💛 Remove or block hazards: Secure electrical cords and remove sharp objects, toxic plants, and clutter to prevent injury.
💛 Keep furniture in place: Avoid moving furniture to maintain a predictable layout the kitten can learn.
💛 Use tactile markers: Place textured mats under the food, water, and litter box to help the kitten identify key areas.
💛 Block off unsafe areas: Secure staircases to prevent falls and keep toilet lids closed.
💛 Engage with your kitten
Communicate with your voice:
Always talk to your kitten before approaching or picking it up to avoid startling it.
💛 Encourage independence: Guide the kitten to walk around on its own, as it will follow the scent trail left by glands on its paws.
💛 Provide stimulating toys: Use noisy toys and those with scents like catnip to engage its senses of hearing and smell.
💛 Love them to pieces!!! You can create an amazing bond and they will be forever grateful!!
💛 Create a safe and consistent environment
💛 Remove or block hazards: Secure electrical cords and remove sharp objects, toxic plants, and clutter to prevent injury.
💛 Keep furniture in place: Avoid moving furniture to maintain a predictable layout the kitten can learn.
💛 Use tactile markers: Place textured mats under the food, water, and litter box to help the kitten identify key areas.
💛 Block off unsafe areas: Secure staircases to prevent falls and keep toilet lids closed.
💛 Engage with your kitten
Communicate with your voice:
Always talk to your kitten before approaching or picking it up to avoid startling it.
💛 Encourage independence: Guide the kitten to walk around on its own, as it will follow the scent trail left by glands on its paws.
💛 Provide stimulating toys: Use noisy toys and those with scents like catnip to engage its senses of hearing and smell.
💛 Love them to pieces!!! You can create an amazing bond and they will be forever grateful!!
