Terrified and hiding under a New York City bus with a severely damaged left eye, Granola barely made it out of the perilous situation he was in. Fortunately, the tiny, five-week-old kitten was found by our rescue partner, Manhattan Animal Care Center, who contacted us because they knew we would provide Granola with the care he needed.
“When Granola arrived, he was in very poor condition, weighing only 1 ½ pounds, dehydrated, with a ruptured eyeball requiring enucleation,” said Dr. Gerard Laheney, Animal League America Senior Veterinarian. It is a condition that we are experienced in treating. Dr. Laheney explained that this issue is typically caused by a simple viral infection or conjunctivitis that was left untreated. As the feline’s eyes become dry and irritated, they rub them to clean away the discharge, which causes more swelling and irritation. A vicious cycle of pain and swelling ensues. Once the eye is removed, most cats can function well and have a healthy, normal life.
First, however, Granola needed to spend some time in our Freed Special Recovery Center. His treatment there included IV fluids, antibiotics, and nursing care. It’s especially important for kittens to be stable for the procedure. Thankfully, Granola responded well and was soon ready for surgery.
The eye enucleation was performed by Animal League America Senior Staff Veterinarian Dr. Erin Carney, who noted, “We wanted to move quickly because he’s so little and we didn’t want to have him under anesthesia for too long.” Everything went smoothly, and Granola is now in the healing stage. He will remain under our watchful care for another couple of weeks, but this special kitten will undoubtedly make his way into an adopter’s heart very soon! Despite the difficult circumstances he endured, Granola is innately affectionate and playful, and captivates visitors with his soulful expression. With your support, Granola is out of harm’s way and on the path to a safe and joyful future.