Rosie's Going Blind?

[Bundyrats]

Quite a few weeks ago, I noticed that Rosie had a milkiness in her right eye. I took her to the vet and he said it looked like an abrasion. She could have brushed it or scratched it and it may or may not fully heal. Then a week later, I noticed the same in her left eye. It did seem to co-incide with getting a new rattie, Charlotte. They didn't get along and I never left them alone unattended but there were a few scuffles. I'm not sure if it's co-incidence or not with Charlotte, but Rose is now definately having trouble seeing. Both eyes are milky and I want to know if rats can get blind as they get older. She will be two in a couple of weeks :joy: yay for Rose...she's my heart rat.
But it seems odd that it happened to both eyes within a few weeks....

 

[lilspaz68]

Are you positive on the age? She could be older.

Does it look like this?

 

[Bundyrats]

Yes! But the circle of milkiness is not quite as big. It doesn't cover the entire eyeball and it's a very milky white.
With her age, I am only guestimating. I compared her to the first two that I had who were about 5-6ld weeks, so guessed Rosie was about 10 weeks commpared to them. If not, I think it would only be a few weeks difference.....so maybe nine weeks or maybe 12 weeks....

 

[lilspaz68]

Ohhh just over her pupil?

That would be a standard cataract.

This is Lucky with early cataracts...they expand in time

Hopefully someone can dig out better cataract pics for you, but I am busy trying to get ready for the vet.

 

[Bundyrats]

Yes, and gosh, Rose is just about the same colour as lovely Lucky!
If it's catarats, then Rose's are much larger. Could it happen so quickly and in both eyes within weeks?

What are you off to the vet for today, lilspaz?

Edit: sorry, don't want to be a sticky beak....!!! That sounds like I am

 

[jorats]

I do believe it can come up real quick. The good news is that they can live quite happily with cataracts.

 

[thefriggintribe]

I had an older rat who went blind and he adapted quite quickly. He would use his whiskers and amazing sense of smell. He followed the walls around the house during free range time. If never slowed him down.