Ray {Adopted}

DSH Tabby
DOB: May 2018
Rescue Date:
Neutered, Special Kneads

Ray and Charles were found by a Good Samaritan in the woods and taken to the vet due to bleeding eyes and were diagnosed with bilateral eyelid agenesis, or eyelid coloboma, a congenital defect of the eyelid in which the upper lateral eyelid is not formed.   The result is that conjunctiva is contiguous with skin, and this leads to exposure of the cornea from incomplete blinking, as well as irritation from contact of hairs with the cornea.  Keratitis (vascularization, ulceration, scarring, and/or corneal pigmentation) can then occur, and over time vision can be affected.  They saw a specialist to determine the possibility of salvaging all or part of their vision versus enucleation.  Ray has been diagnosed with bilateral microphthalmus and bilateral eyelid agenisis and is blind.  Based on clinical signs and lack of vision, bilateral enucleation was recommended and he underwent surgery.  Knowing they are blind, we expected some sort of limitations…that was not the case!  They are your typical kittens, no one told them they were different or handicapped.  They are rambunctious, mischievous, full of love and will readily run, play, pounce, chase and wrestle with abandon.  To walk into a room with them is to be bombarded with energetic purr-balls!  Ray loves to carry a Pom Pom around in his mouth playing and growling all the while.  When it’s time to settle in, he likes nothing more than to climb onto your shoulder, perhaps offer a few chin kisses and fall asleep.