anyone with experience of Siamese?

[Kay]

I am feeding what looks like a full pedigree traditional chocolate point Siamese outside, which seems to have been abandoned - I live in a very rural area with not many neighbours, and none of them know of its origins

it doesn't look like an unneutered tom, and no sign of kittens over many months, so I suspect he or she is neutered, but it won't let me get anywhere near enough to see the relevant area - what I am concerned about, though, is its eyesight, as it appears to have a pronounced squint, and poor eyesight, as sometimes it has trouble finding the food which is almost under its nose

does anyone know if the squint alone would make seeing difficult, or could this mean the cat has something else going on with its eyesight? if I thought it was partially or wholly blind I would make an effort to get it trapped and to a vet, and might even try to bring it in as my enclosed garden would suit a blind cat, but if it is just an untreatable squint I will leave it be as it is healthy looking and has food and shelter

[Lilith]

Hi Kay - yes, I bred them in the 80s and even then a squint was regarded as a bad defect on the show bench; no serious breeder would breed from such a cat, and any kitten with such a 'fault' such as a kinked tail or white toes, hernias (or the squint) would be registered as 'non-active' - ie they would have the necessary papers but they would be sold as 'pet quality' (most kittens are sold as pets, whatever quality, thank goodness!) but would not qualify as breeding stock...Sorry, long involved explanation, but everyone was trying to protect the health of the breed and keep it clear of 'faults' even if these were only cosmetic.

During this time I only came across one kinked tail (in one of my own kittens) and I never saw white toes or a squint and I'm amazed that there are still squints around. But of course some breeders aren't 'serious' - they'll breed kittens and sell them without papers. I've never heard of the squint affecting vision.

However I'm certain I remember it being said that when some Siamese are off-colour, they squint - as do other cats, and I wonder if this is the case with this lad? I'd want to get him checked out but I can see your difficulties!

Also, his errm manhood. Try to get a glimpse of him sideways on. If he's entire, they'll stick out like chapel hatpegs lol. It's unmistakeable!

Poor chap, I wonder what's brought him to this. Siamese don't do well as ferals with their thin coats. And the other cat as well. They're lucky to have found you.

But I would be concerned about his eyesight/general health. All the very very best with him, paws crossed!

[Walesgang]

Hi Kay

I have absolutely no experience of Siamese cats, but you may recall that one of my cats is totally blind.

She does remarkably well, and friends often argue that she must be able to see something.

The main signs are that she sometimes runs into things (eg if she is spooked or excited). We sometimes have to 'show' her things by tapping them. She is normally remarkably good at finding food!! I guess her sense of smell kicks in.

I hope you sort something for this little girl/boy

[booktigger]

I would try and get them scanned, if he/she is a pedigree, there is a good chance of being chipped

[meriad]

Kay, could you trap him so you can get him checked by a vet? Poor thing sounds like he needs your help

[Kay]

it won't come anywhere near me, so trapping it could be difficult, and I suspect I would probably entrap the farm cat first, as they are always in my garden at the same time - I'm told a couple of different neighbours have already tried to get hold of it, as they would rehome it if they could, so it isn't just me

this Siamese is in good body shape - in fact is quite portly, to be honest - if I'm right about it having restricted sight the best bet is to try and trap it inside my enclosure, as it probably wouldn't be able to escape - and if it did climb out it would mean, I think, it can see OK - meanwhile, Tiffany is getting less hostile seeing it outside the enclosure, as familiarity breeds a degree of indifference, so
that could be a good thing in the long term

any ideas of setting tests for its eyesight without being able to get close would be welcome

[Walesgang]

Is there a regular route he takes which you could change - eg temporarily close off an opening.

Even slightly changing the line of one of the beds in our enclosed garden confuses Tips. Walking into closed doors was what first made us think she had sight problems

[Kay]

He waits for food at the top of a short flight of steps, so I'll put an obstacle on the bottom step tomorrow and see what he does

Thanks for the idea Vàl

[Crewella]

Same as Val, my blind Alpha never walked into things until she had her second eye removed - that was the only way we knew that she must have had at least some residual sight before the op. Especially tall narrow things like chair legs that didn't 'bounce' sound back to her.

Good luck, I hope you can help this boy. xx