Kittens born without eyelids to get sight-saving surgery at MSPCA
Anna, Elsa will be up for adoption after surgery
Two kittens with a rare condition will soon undergo sight-saving surgery at the MSPCA’s Angell Animal Medical Center.
The tiny kittens, named Anna and Elsa, were rescued from a Dorchester drainage pipe this summer. At the time they were dirty and skinny, but veterinarians soon realized that there was a much more dire problem.
The kittens were born without upper eyelids, a rare condition known as Agenesis, which left them unable to blink or moisten their dry, irritated eyes, the MSPCA said. Untreated, the condition leads to blindness.
Ophthalmologist Dr. Martin Coster will perform an operation on the kittens in which he surgically removes and transplants tissue from the kittens' lower lips to the muscles that control blinking which, in effect, creates new eyelids, the MSPCA said.
Coster performed this same surgery last December on a homeless kitten named Phil.
Elsa and Anna should be ready for adoption six to eight weeks after the surgery.
Anyone who wants to help cover the cost of caring for the kittens can donate here.