From:
Mohr
Date: 2004-02-09 23:10:39 UTC
Subject: Re: [ferrethealth] Rapid onset of blindness
To: ferrethealth@smartgroups.com
Message-Id: <6.0.1.1.0.20040209170349.01b769e8@pop.central.cox.net>
>I've seen eyesight diminish -- Kodo (nine year old male) is nearly blind
>from cataracts and Podo (also nine) is developing cataracts as well. For
>both of them it's been a slow process and they've had time to adapt. This
>is different.
Well, I'm not a vet, but I do know something about macular degeneration in
humans. It can be either slow or sudden, as you describe. It is often age
related but can rarely also be the result of exposure to a toxin. So your
vet may indeed be right that it's just age related blindness. If so,
vitamin supplements may help slow the degeneration if Kodo still has any
sight left: zinc, lutein, vitamins A, C and E, and omega-3 fatty acids. I
wouldn't recommend anything without talking to your vet, though.
-Natasha