In the final days of spooky season, a kitten with cloudy eyes arrived to Helen Woodward Animal Center. Her name was Winter and she was only seven weeks old. She came with two siblings: Wonder and Land, but their eyes were totally fine.
The Center’s medical team ran extensive tests on Winter and deduced her condition was caused by a symptom of Feline Herpes Viral Conjunctivitis (FHV-1). While Feline Herpes is remarkably common in cats – around 90% are exposed to the disease – it’s much rarer for the illness to manifest itself in a cat’s eyes. But when it does, it can be devastating. The disease attacked Winter’s corneas, leaving them looking cloudy. If left untreated, Winter could lose her vision.
The Center’s medical staff jumped into action by first administering a topical antibiotic. While FHV-1 can’t be cured with an antibiotic, the medication does prevent any secondary infections from forming. Once the possibility of secondary infections had been dealt with, the team changed gears to tackle the damaged corneas.
They created a miracle serum from Winter’s blood that would treat her damaged eyes and preserve her vision. Medical personnel gave her the serum three times a day, every day, for weeks.
The persistent treatment worked. As spooky season turned into Turkey season, the infection in Winter’s eyes subsided. Though her eyes remain cloudy from scar tissue, she would be able to keep her vision. She was made available shortly before Thanksgiving, and found her forever family November 30th.
