Hi Folks,

I'm just after a wee bit more info & first-hand experience, if anyone has some....

Approx 6 weeks ago, I noticed that 13yr old Oscars left eye was 'different'. A closer inspection revealed that his pupil was not contracting as much as it should. When at the vet a couple of days later, we discussed this and the vet had a good look inside. He advised that he couldn't see any tumours on the back or sides of the eye but couldn't see the front of the eye to give that bit the all clear on that area but thought it was ok as the surface of the eye was still smooth. He suggested that the muscles in the eye that control the pupil were starting to fail but that this, in the grand scheme of things was not a really bad thing. Oscar was, and is, healthy in every other way.

I have been keeping tabs on the eye and can say that the pupil expands right out (think puss-in-boots in Shrek) but only contracts back in half way. He no longer gets that 'cat-like slit'. Also, his iris is starting to lose its colour, giving him a bit of a David Bowie look.

Has anyone else experienced this and can give more info on it? Is this common or unusual? Is it ok for now but future problems can occur or is this the lead into something more serious down the line.

Just because the vet wasn't overly concerned doesn't mean that I shouldn't be...

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If you are concerned,and I assume you are or you would not be asking and you think it needs further investigation.If your own vet cant shed any more light on this then i would suggest you ask to be referred to an "eye" specialist vet.Vets cant be experts in everything and some will specialise in certain subjects.I am always cautious where eyes are concerned ,I feel they must be treated with care.

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Has it got any worse since you first noticed it? Think you're right to keep an eye on it though.

Agree about a referral to a veterinary opthalmologist who will perform an ultrasound and see ( if anything ) what it reveals.

Eye colour in cats like people tends to fade with age but of course if only one eye is affected this is a different matter.

The iris discolouration seemed more noticable last night - well, yesterday evening but he was sitting in sun-light so I'm not sure if it was that which made it more noticable. He has got orange eyes which means the spotting is quite clearly seen.

I'm wondering if taking a photo of it each day - without the flash of course!! -over a period of time (7-10 days) would help to see if there IS significant changes going on or if it is just me being overly-sensitive. I'm also thinking that with the forth-coming holiday periods, I would be unlikely to get an opthalmic vet referral anytime before the beginning of May anyway so doing this photo thingy would not waste any time but would strengthen the argument for one if significant changes were being seen.

Good idea or not?????

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Yes, it is a good idea to track any changes! You could also get a second opinion from a different vet at the practice ( or elsewhere if you like! ) in the meantime!

I'll see what comes out of taking the pics.

The vet I saw was very nice and helpful - one of the best I've come across in a while (found out AFTER I had given him the 3rd degree that he was a regional manager!!! ) - so I would be comfortable going back to him and discussing getting a 2nd opinion with the other vet in the practise and /or further investigations with a specialist.

Thank you very much for your input Ianthi, really, really appreciated.

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Sounds as if you're happy with his findings then. At any rate, normally the vet himself will refer you elsewhere if need be but you could always suggest doing an ultrasound ( but do remember these are best carried out by a skilled sonographer and are normally outside the scope of most though not all, general vets ) so perhaps you could lead into it this way!

When I wanted a second opinion at my old vets ( I actively avoided one vet in particular!! ) I just made an appointment on the night I knew the vet in question would be working!!

I meant that I felt comfortable with him and if I were to go back to him for a second opinion or a desire for it to be looked into further, I believe he would be more than helpful and wouldn't be either put out that I have asked for a 2nd opinion (some vets can be sooooooo touchy....!!) or think I am being OTT by requesting that a specialist look at it.

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Yes, of course! Obviously misread it as the opposite!

*Too much sun I think*

Sooty's eye colour used to be quite a strong green, but is now paler. His pupils are very often large as well, and like Oscar's don't contract to being the "slits".

The vet checked his eyes and said he is pretty much only seeing shadows with one eye, and has half his eyesight left on the other. You would never know though, as the vet said cats navigate through smell so many people don't immediately notice when their cats go blind. Sooty's however is down to high blood pressure rather tan just a natural cause, but the vet said that is quite common too

Do you also find that his eyes have become more reflective, i.e. his eyes are becoming more "mirror-like"?

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Mummy to;

Sooty 9.6.1996 - 28.04.2011 Rest in peace my love!
Storm (Sueragdandy Phantom) 28.02.2010
Benji (Kassaro Benjamin Franklyn) 08.03.2011