Re: I'm scared for Grace - dilated left pupil

[tamara stickler]

Nina,

 

The dilated pupil could be caused by various things.  The least of which, and MOST likely since you stated that she's been ok, and acting quite like a kitten again, is that she might have given herself a slight concusion.  My spaz-cat Coebeio has done this on occasion....once while spazing around the house, she leapt from the windowsill intending to land on the table, but came up short and slammed her head against its edge....Once when she decided that the squirrel at the bird feeder really MUST DIE NOW, and she flew down the hall, into the living-room, made a grand jump about 5 feet in the air, and slammed face first into the sliding glass door.  (If it was any consilation....had the door NOT been closed...she'd have had him.)  ;-)

 

Another, more serious cause could be a blood clot in the brain, or a brain tumor.  My poodlish dog- Sweet Pea, had the brain tumor...and that's how we found out...because of the dilated pupil.  Just like with the concussion, it is usually caused by pressure on the brain or the eye.  SP lived about 8 months after she was diagnosed (she was very old and surgery wasn't an option.)

 

Yet another, serious, but not fatal cause, could be that perhaps as a complication of the FeLV, she is going blind in just that eye.  In this case the pupil would dilate, in order to let more light in, in an attempt to see better.

 

If it doesn't clear up in a few days, I'd make a vet appointment for her, just in case.  Meanwhile I'll hold out hope that she was just being too rambuncous and bopped her head.

 

In the meantime, keep her away from any teasing squirrels.

 

Keep us informed.  God Bless you both.

T

----- Original Message -----
From: "Nina" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
To:
Sent: Thursday, April 28, 2005 8:59 PM
Subject: I'm scared for Grace - dilated left pupil


> I just posted about how well Grace has been doing. I'm about to lose my
> mind, I'm so scared. I'm really trying to hold it together and not get
> ahead of myself, but the thought of losing Grace, right after Jazz...
> There must be something really wrong with me. Grace has been doing so
> well, I thought maybe... just maybe...
>
> About 2 hours ago I noticed that Grace's left eye's pupil is dilated.
> It's contracting some in sunlight and getting bigger as the light
> lessens, but it's definitely larger than her right eye. It doesn't look
> irritated, no tearing, no signs of abrasion. I ran my fingers over both
> sides of her eyes and face, the left side doesn't seem any different
> than the right. It doesn't seem to bother her when I touch that side.
> She's acting perfectly normal otherwise. In fact the last week or so,
> she's been such a kitten. Running, jumping cavorting, chasing great big
> Kimba Cat around, just having a grand time with life, it's been such a
> joy to witness.
>
> I called my Internist's office and spoke with Michelle. She said it's
> possible that she got something on her paw and rubbed it over that eye,
> a plant, or something in the yard that's toxic. I don't think that's
> it. I don't think there's anything out there that is toxic, and if
> there is, it's sure taken them a long time to find it. Her other
> thought was that it's something neurological. Something, (oh shit),
> pressing on her optic nerve and causing the pupil to dilate. Her sister
> Molly had a tumor behind, I think the same eye. Her eye started to
> protrude and then it ruptured when she was being rushed to the ER. If
> it's any worse by tomorrow, I'm going to go to my vet's and sit in the
> lobby until she'll see me. Do you think I should take her in even if it
> remains stable?
>
> Has anyone had any experience with this sort of thing? Any ideas? I
> really don't think I can take it if I lose my Grace. Please pray that
> this passes and she's okay.
>
> Nina
>
>
>

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