Hawaii Cat Foundation: Emergency Medical Grant Report
How did this grant help your organization and the pets in your care?
Pearl required corrective eye surgery. This grant helped cover some of the cost, which in turn will allow for other kittens to get help and support prior to adoption.
How many pets did this grant help?
1
Please provide a story of one or more specific pets this grant helped.
The grant was used to pay for Pearl’s corrective eye surgery. She had to have surgery to correct entropion on the right lower eyelid. Pearl received the surgery on Feb. 8, 2022, and it was confirmed that the entropion (rolling-in of the lid) was secondary to a band of scar tissue attaching the back of the eyelid to the front of the third eyelid.
This was also why her third eyelid wouldn’t completely retract. This is a condition called symblepharon, in which the surfaces of the eye heal together after an episode of severe inflammation and ulceration, usually from the herpes virus.
The band of scar tissue was cut, and the lid returned to a more normal position. Unfortunately, this type of scar tissue does have a high rate of recurrence. Therefore, the surgeon rolled the eyelid sightly in hopes that this, in combination with breaking down the scar tissue adhesion, results in a fairly normal eyelid position and function once healing is complete.
Pearl has not yet been adopted, but the corrective surgery has vastly improved her chances, and she currently has several applicants waiting for an appointment.
UPDATE: Pearl has been adopted!
