Anna wraps her paws around her sister Elsa as both are evaluated by Dr. Coster. Credit: MSPCA-Angell
Two scared and dirty kittens born without eyelids were pulled from a drainage pipe and rushed to the MSPCA-Angell in late August and are now awaiting sight-saving surgery at the MSPCA’s Angell Animal Medical Center in Jamaica Plain, the organization announced today.
The 10-week-old kittens—now named “Anna” and “Elsa”—were rescued by a good Samaritan from a construction site in Dorchester. The kittens were born without upper eyelids, a rare congenital condition known as Agenesis. To save their eyesight, Angell Ophthalmologist Dr. Martin Coster will attach tissue from their lower lips to the muscles that enable them to blink which, in effect, reconstructs the missing lids.
The operation is similar to the one Dr. Coster performed on a kitten named “Phil,” whose story of recovery from Agenesis made headlines around the world last December.
Donations Sought
The surgery is expected to cost over $2,000 and will be paid for by Spike’s Fund, a fund that pays the medical care costs of homeless animals in the MSPCA’s Boston adoption center. That fund, owing to the dozens of dogs, cats and other animals surrendered this past summer requiring expensive medical care, is nearly depleted.
Anyone who wishes to donate may do so by clicking www.mspca.org/dorchesterkittens.
“Any donations we raise will be used to offset the costs of Anna and Elsa’s surgery and to administer ongoing veterinary care for animals like them,” said MSPCA-Angell adoption center manager Alyssa Krieger. “We’re hopeful that those who support our good work will keep doing so, so we can continue going above and beyond for the animals in our care.”
The surgery is scheduled to take place the week of Oct. 5, now that the kittens have reached two pounds.
Without the surgery, constant irritation brought on by dry and itchy eyes could lead to ulceration and, eventually, complete blindness for both kittens. “We’re pulling out all the stops for Anna and Elsa so that they can enjoy a long and healthy life in an adoptive home,” said Krieger.
The kittens will require several weeks of rest and recovery. The MSPCA-Angell will announce their availability for adoption when the time draws near. In the meantime, anyone interested in adopting the pair can email adoption@mspca.org for more information about the adoption process.
For more information about Angell Animal Medical Center’s Ophthalmology (and other) specialty services, click here.
