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SILVER
To the untrained eye Silver may come across as a feline version of a wise Zen Buddhist, lost in prayer, calmly contemplating his existence. If you have any experience with cats however you will instantly know something is amiss as they — unless snoozing — do not spend their days with their eyes closed.
Silver was first noticed when he appeared, eyes firmly shut, helplessly bumping around, in an established stray colony. Not there one day, there the next — we believe he was somebody’s pet, his deformity tolerated for a time until he probably became too much of a nuisance and was abandoned outside to fend for himself. Or die, whichever comes first.
THE VERDICT
Silver is in our care now, resting safely in the vet clinic and a senior ophthalmologist has already examined him. The rare diagnosis is severe entropion, an odd genetic eye deformation in which the edge of the eyelid — and in severe cases like Silver’s part of the skin, lashes and fur — is inverted inward towards the eyeball. The result is pain, irritation, scratching of the cornea and an animal which, while in possession of two healthy eyes, is nonetheless effectively blind as the pain of keeping the eyes open is intolerable.
According to the vets Silver is about 2 years-old and his problem is congenital, meaning he was born this way. The unusual diagnosis and his sudden appearance confirm our suspicion that he was somebody’s pet… until he was nobody’s pet. Because it was easier.
THE SURGERIES
9 out of 10 cats with vision problems are beyond help. We admit that when we first laid eyes on Silver we thought there was nothing we could do for him. How overwhelmed were we to be proven wrong!
Silver’s condition is operable. A series of reconstructive surgeries can reshape the eyelids and adjust their positioning, preventing inversion and scratching, relieving pain, restoring vision.
It is within our power to give Silver an unimaginable gift, something he probably never even dreamed simple cat dreams of — we can give him his sight back.
UPDATE | December 11, 2019
SILVER HAS OPENED HIS EYES! Silver’s first surgery was successful and according to the senior ophthalmologist he will most probably not require a second operation. Silver can open his eyes, he can blink and he can see, free of any pain or discomfort. His corneas are slightly damaged but the condition is treatable with medication.
We have to admit, this is more or less our most miraculous rescue for the year. Please have a look through the photos below and know that you did this, your help was the critical factor and you are Let’s Adopt!
Silver can see now. Please donate today to help us cover the outstanding bill for his medical care.
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