Freethought & Rationalism Archive

paradigm9 · 03-02-2007, 05:31 PM

this is one of those questions you dont really want an answer to...but here goes:

one of my parent's cat's eyes have changed color. both irises went from bright green/yellow to brown. they have no clue how long it was before they noticed but both my parents noticed "independently." 11 year old male, fixed, mainly indoor maine coon...overweight, spoiled, vaccinated. no external symptoms of anything systemic other than symmetric eye color changing. i was hoping it's just an age thing. 11 is getting up there for maine coon's...any other guesses?

one of my friends said to immed get it checked for a nasty virus since it can spread to the other cats and is sometimes lethal...FIP?

Boro Nut · 03-02-2007, 06:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by paradigm9

this is one of those questions you dont really want an answer to...but here goes:

one of my parent's cat's eyes have changed color. both irises went from bright green/yellow to brown. they have no clue how long it was before they noticed but both my parents noticed "independently."

Same thing happened to my Gran. She thought that there was something medically wrong with the cat at first, but noticed the lawn had gone the same colour too. And her bedroom carpet. Environmental Health found nothing. Couldn't explain it. It wasn't until I dropped the Christmas presents off that I noticed there was bugger all wrong with the lawn or the cat. She'd gone completely colour blind.

Boro Nut

paradigm9 · 03-03-2007, 06:42 AM

well if both my folks went color blind at the same time i think we have more to worry about than cats.

i'm hoping it's just an age thing.

doghouse · 03-03-2007, 07:28 AM

The main considerations for pigment changes in the iris of cats are:

1. iridal melanosis -- a benign condition

2. diffuse iridal melanoma -- cancer

3. uveitis -- inflammation in the eye, which can be caused by a number of things, including FIP

With both eyes affected in an older cat, I would bet on #1. But the only way to know is with an eye exam by a veterinarian. If that's not conclusive, a veterinary ophthalmologist would be able to sort it out.

DCC · 03-03-2007, 07:40 AM

Nevermind. A more thorough explanation was posted while I slowly pecked out my post.

EssEff · 03-03-2007, 07:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by paradigm9

this is one of those questions you dont really want an answer to...but here goes:

one of my parent's cat's eyes have changed color. both irises went from bright green/yellow to brown. they have no clue how long it was before they noticed but both my parents noticed "independently." 11 year old male, fixed, mainly indoor maine coon...overweight, spoiled, vaccinated. no external symptoms of anything systemic other than symmetric eye color changing. i was hoping it's just an age thing. 11 is getting up there for maine coon's...any other guesses?

one of my friends said to immed get it checked for a nasty virus since it can spread to the other cats and is sometimes lethal...FIP?

Are your parents in DC? I recommend Dr. Kelly Corcoran: Veterinary Vision 6733 Commerce Springfield, VA 22150 703-451-6199 She's near the beltway & 395 - very easy to get to.

Berthold · 03-03-2007, 07:55 AM

Apparently, things of this general kind are not unheard of:

Quote:

Some cats, particularly
orange colored individuals, can develop little dark patches of pigment
in the iris as they age, but any change in eye color should always be
checked by your vet.

Google has a lot about cats' eye color change, when they grow up, but that's obviously not your case.

paradigm9 · 03-03-2007, 11:28 AM

it's just odd that it's symmetric and relatively sudden. they took him to to the vet this morning and i think a vet who had some more experience with eye conditions but not an actual ophthalmologist. still waiting to hear to the diagnosis....

Quote:

Are your parents in DC? I recommend Dr. Kelly Corcoran

i wish they were in DC, but they're still in a little redneck, inbred, jerry falwell inundated southern virginia town. yeeeewhoo.......hopefully the area agriculture will have spawned to experienced vets.

paradigm9 · 03-03-2007, 12:12 PM

well...the ELISA was positive for FIV. his eyes were inflammed...cornea's were swollen and there was some blood vessel infiltration. but not really any indication of conjunctivitis, or other systemic infection.

they're waiting for a western for confirmation and CD4 CD8 counts...

doghouse · 03-03-2007, 12:32 PM

Sounds like the veterinarians (redneck or not) know what they're doing. Hope the kitty does well.

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03-02-2007, 05:31 PM	#1
paradigm9 Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: washington dc Posts: 1,313	any vets? cat's eyes question this is one of those questions you dont really want an answer to...but here goes: one of my parent's cat's eyes have changed color. both irises went from bright green/yellow to brown. they have no clue how long it was before they noticed but both my parents noticed "independently." 11 year old male, fixed, mainly indoor maine coon...overweight, spoiled, vaccinated. no external symptoms of anything systemic other than symmetric eye color changing. i was hoping it's just an age thing. 11 is getting up there for maine coon's...any other guesses? one of my friends said to immed get it checked for a nasty virus since it can spread to the other cats and is sometimes lethal...FIP?

03-03-2007, 06:42 AM	#3
paradigm9 Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: washington dc Posts: 1,313	well if both my folks went color blind at the same time i think we have more to worry about than cats. i'm hoping it's just an age thing.

03-03-2007, 07:28 AM	#4
doghouse Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Standin in the rain, talkin to myself Posts: 4,025	The main considerations for pigment changes in the iris of cats are: 1. iridal melanosis -- a benign condition 2. diffuse iridal melanoma -- cancer 3. uveitis -- inflammation in the eye, which can be caused by a number of things, including FIP With both eyes affected in an older cat, I would bet on #1. But the only way to know is with an eye exam by a veterinarian. If that's not conclusive, a veterinary ophthalmologist would be able to sort it out.

03-03-2007, 07:40 AM	#5
DCC Regular Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Englewood, Colorado Posts: 420	Nevermind. A more thorough explanation was posted while I slowly pecked out my post.

03-03-2007, 12:12 PM	#9
paradigm9 Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: washington dc Posts: 1,313	well...the ELISA was positive for FIV. his eyes were inflammed...cornea's were swollen and there was some blood vessel infiltration. but not really any indication of conjunctivitis, or other systemic infection. they're waiting for a western for confirmation and CD4 CD8 counts...

03-03-2007, 12:32 PM	#10
doghouse Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Standin in the rain, talkin to myself Posts: 4,025	Sounds like the veterinarians (redneck or not) know what they're doing. Hope the kitty does well.

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