Update on Popeye

Our small animal vet, Dr. Brenda Culver at Montana Veterinary Specialists in Helena, examined Popeye the cat today.  Exactly what is going on with his eyes is a bit of a mystery.  The photo above was taken when Popeye was first found by the rescue group BETA in Lebanon in May.  You can see the bubble on his left eye.  I had sent this and other photos to Brenda earlier today to give her a 'before' and 'after' view of this little guy.  In looking at the photos and then at his eyes today, Brenda concluded that's a corneal rupture we're seeing on the left eye.  And that's what eventually blinded him on that side. 

But that doesn't necessarily explain the opacity or cloudiness, and Brenda says he does not have keratitis.  His eye pressures are normal, so he doesn't have glaucoma, nor did she see any signs of uveitis.

The right eye is the truly odd one.  There is no evidence of a corneal rupture, but the space between his cornea and the iris is filled with a white fibrous material.  The fibers are stuck to half of his iris, locking it open, so he can't constrict or dilate his pupil.  Yet there are no fibers in front of the pupil from the 12 o'clock to 3 o'clock position, allowing him to see through this small angle.  Brenda thinks he can see shapes and shadows through that opening, but only if the object remains fairly still.  If an object is moving, she said it seems to take him a bit to focus again.

Brenda says she has never seen this before, but is concerned that there are a number of viral diseases that might have triggered it.  So she is going to run titers to test for the presence of these viruses and see what we find.  We won't have all those results until early next week.

Here's another photo the BETA folks took of Popeye the day after he was found by the side of the road and taken to them in a small cardboard box.  This tyke has come a long way since then, and he's now a handsome boy with a sleek black-and-white coat ... and a pair of mysterious eyes!

(Click on photos for larger image.)

Comments

[Boundforglory]

Popeye's rescue pictures are heartbreaking! He's had a rough start, to say the least. Knowing he'll be cared for at RDR brings more meaning and joy than ever.

BETA deserves huge accolades for the their work and efforts to care for Popeye and the many other animals in need. Truly amazing!

[Kathy Goog]

How different his appearance is in
these photos from the way he looks in the pic with you. What did he have to survive thru? As crazy as this sounds, could the white fibrous material in his right eye be hair? My sister had a Shepard who had a tuft of fur growing out of one of its eyes!

[Debbie Burke]

These photos made me so sad. Poor pitiful little guy. I went back to your Oct 28 post and couldn't believe it was the same kitty. If you ever doubt the miracles you and Alayne perform on a daily basis, all you have to do is look at the "before" and "after" photos of little Popeye.

[Janet]

That's one lucky little guy in soooo many ways.

[Linda]

Wow! Popeye, you sure have come a long way. Such a handsome young man now, from such a scrawny, sickly looking kitty. Thank goodness BETA scooped you up and brought you to safety, and God bless RDR for ensuring your continued health and happiness.

[Helen Rietz]

It's amazing to see the photos of Popeye in Beirut, and then the one of you holding him, Steve, when he arrived at Rolling Dog. He's already looking (and no doubt feeling) so much better. His eyes clearly are a mystery - but even if he ends up fully blind, he will be in good company at the ranch, and without pain can live a happy, long life. Wishing the best for this little guy.

[Jessica, NL]

Oh boy...I thought he was a lucky bloke before, with his whole journey, but after seeing these pictures it's nothing short of a miracle that he is with you and ready for a happy life!

[Debbie]

He sure has come a long way, and I don't just mean by plane. That scruffy little guy sure grew up to be a beautiful cat! We'll all keep our finger crossed for him.