A Serious Development for Presto

Over the past few days, Presto’s eye condition returned, so it was time to take him to the doctor. Unfortunately, the rescue-group’s regular veterinary was fully booked until next week. However, my own cats - as opposed to my fosters - go to another hospital. I like to maintain that situation for such events as this. I called my veterinary hospital. They too were full until Monday, but they promised to call if was a cancellation. There was, and Presto travelled to see a doctor at two o’clock this afternoon.

Unfortunately, his eye condition is serious. I didn’t think it was a viral or bacterial infection, since Presto has not been under any condition that his brothers have not, and he has associated with them freely and continually since birth - and with the perma-cats almost as long. No one else has suffered from his ailment. And Presto continued to eat well. I suspected an injury: an infected scratch, a poke, etc.

The doctor diagnosed lens luxation. This is the detachment of the eye’s lens, due to the breakage of the zonules, which are the tiny filaments that hold it in place. (I didn’t know anything other than its purpose kept it stationary.) This, indeed, may be caused by injury, but it may also be genetic. A clearer examination of the scene is required, and so prednisone drops have been given, to reduce the inflammation, pressure and discomfort Presto is probably feeling - and to present a better means of observation.

If the damage is great enough, Presto could lose his eye. There is the possibility that, if genetic, the same thing could occur in his other eye. For now, though, the the problem exists only in the left, which could need removing.

To be honest, though the examination was thorough, and the diagnosis meets the symptoms, the conclusions are so severe that I felt a second opinion was in order. In this, I am fully supported by the rescue group. The trouble is that the doctor Presto saw is a locum tenens, a temporary staff member, and not one of the doctors at that hospital with whom I am familiar. This is not to disparage the doctor, who seemed very competent and knowledgeable. But I don’t know her technique, her manner of assessment; whether she is quick to draw conclusions, or prefers to try different methods. If this were a simpler matter, I wouldn’t be so concerned about a second opinion. 

In any case, Presto will be seeing the rescue-group’s regular doctor on Tuesday. This will give the drops time to work. In the meanwhile, the report on Presto will be forwarded to the other hospital. I suspect that the first doctor is perfectly correct in her findings. But with anything as serious as this, being told that by another veterinary is, I think, necessary.

Rhapsody’s first-born is accepting the medicinal drops manfully, is eating satisfactorily and is even active, though not entirely as playful as he has been. He will receive his treatment over the weekend, and be assessed again next week.