Hi, I’m fundraising for my kitten, Gouda, who was recently diagnosed with a rare, fast-moving form of cataracts and glaucoma. At just 10 months old, he’s already experienced vision loss—and as of May 28, we learned that surgery is no longer an option.

Gouda came into my life unexpectedly. I found him in my apartment complex dumpster at around 4 weeks old—just one week after I lost my senior cat of 15 years. I truly felt like she had sent him to me. Even though I’m disabled and on a very strict income, I knew I couldn’t leave him behind.

He was in rough shape—barely over a pound, full of parasites, coccidia, and fighting a bacterial infection. But after several vet visits and months of treatment, he slowly got better. By 13 weeks, he was fully vaccinated, neutered, and settling into life with me and my 14-year-old blind rescue dog.

Gouda was the most playful kitten I’d ever known—always chasing shadows and “phantom bugs.” I chalked it up to being a goofy Siamese mix. But in January, his dog brother passed away, and I noticed a shift. Gouda became more clingy, and some of his behaviors started to seem less like play and more like confusion.

In early April, I saw flashes of light in his eyes that didn’t seem normal. Later that night, he began frantically staring at the ceiling, chasing invisible things, and running in circles until he was exhausted. The next morning, I took him to the vet. We thought maybe it was an ear infection. But after a quick exam, the vet diagnosed him with bilateral juvenile cataracts and glaucoma. The pressure in his eyes was dangerously high, and we were referred immediately to a veterinary ophthalmologist.

We waited over two months for that specialist appointment, and on May 28, I finally took him for what was supposed to be a pre-surgical workup.

But things didn’t go as planned.

The moment the ophthalmologist turned the lights back on after looking into his eyes with a specialized headset (I believe it’s called an indirect ophthalmoscope), she launched into a passionate explanation about how blind cats can still live very full lives. She talked about exercise wheels, familiar cat trees, and how well they can adapt if blindness is gradual.

I interrupted her, confused, and said, “I’m sorry—what? We’re here for a presurgical consult.”

She stopped me and said firmly, “No. He is no longer a candidate for surgery. And he likely never will be.”

She explained that the prolonged inflammation and pressure from untreated uveitis over the last two months caused structural changes in his eye—things that can’t be reversed. While the cataracts are still present, they’re no longer operable. She confirmed that he is still sighted and not in constant pain, but also acknowledged that vision loss has already begun and that he shows signs of discomfort in cycles.

This was a complete shock. For the past two and a half months, I’ve been researching and preparing for cataract surgery and recovery. But now everything has shifted. Instead of surgery, Gouda’s care plan has turned toward diagnostics and long-term management.

As of May 28, the ophthalmologist began a full round of infectious disease testing to identify the source of the uveitis. This includes a wide panel of blood tests, most of which had to be sent out to a specialty lab in another state. These results may take several weeks. On May 29, he’ll also have additional bloodwork to follow up on elevated protein markers seen in his previous senior blood panel. Once we have all of this back, we’ll return for a recheck in three weeks.

Because uveitis can be caused by several underlying systemic diseases—including parasites, viruses, and autoimmune conditions—these tests are essential to figure out if there’s a treatable source. If all results are negative, then and only then can hereditary causes be considered. Without this process, it’s impossible to build a solid long-term treatment plan, especially as we try to preserve the vision he has left and manage flare-ups.

While I’m disappointed and overwhelmed, I’m also incredibly grateful. The funds already raised here helped me cover the majority of his ophthalmology visit and testing on May 28. That appointment and the tests totaled close to \$1,600, and the \$788 raised here made that possible. I covered the rest out-of-pocket.

Thank you—deeply—to everyone who’s donated, shared, or simply sent a kind word. You helped get us this far.

Now I’m adjusting the GoFundMe goal to reflect Gouda’s ongoing diagnostic and treatment needs rather than surgery. I’m not ready to close the fundraiser yet, as there are still important tests, follow-up appointments, and possible treatments ahead.

Even if Gouda loses his vision entirely, he’s staying with me for life. I’ve done this before with a blind senior dog, and I will do everything I can to keep Gouda comfortable, mentally stimulated, and loved.

If you’ve read all of this—thank you. Even if you can’t donate, sharing his story means the world to me. I’ll continue to post updates here and on TikTok (@FlorenceAndTheFig) as we figure out next steps.

Gouda sends his prickly kisses

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What happened to Gouda’s eyes?

In early April, Gouda started showing strange behaviors like chasing things that weren’t there and running in circles. His primary vet diagnosed him with bilateral juvenile cataracts and glaucoma, with dangerously high eye pressure. He was referred for emergency surgery to save his vision.

Was he supposed to have surgery?

Yes. We were preparing for cataract surgery to restore his sight, with a scheduled pre-surgical evaluation on May 28, 2025. But during that visit, the ophthalmologist found that due to prolonged inflammation (uveitis) and high eye pressure, the structure of his eyes had changed, making surgery no longer an option.

What is uveitis?

Uveitis is inflammation inside the eye, which can be caused by infections, parasites, immune diseases, or other systemic health issues. It can cause pain and vision loss. In Gouda’s case, the inflammation was sustained and severe, which contributed to the irreversible damage.

Why does Gouda need more testing now?

Since surgery is no longer possible, the focus is on managing his condition and preserving his remaining vision. The ophthalmologist needs to identify the root cause of the uveitis before starting treatment. On May 28, 2025, Gouda had specialized bloodwork and infectious disease testing, with additional bloodwork scheduled for May 29 to check elevated proteins found in his senior panel from April. Once all results are in, he’ll have a recheck appointment in about three weeks. Only after ruling out infections, parasites, and immune causes can they consider if the issue is hereditary or idiopathic.

How much is the new fundraising goal and what will the funds be used for?

The updated goal is $2,500 to help cover Gouda’s ongoing diagnostics, medications, specialized eye drops, veterinary visits, and supportive care to manage his chronic condition. This is far less than the originally planned surgery cost but still necessary to provide him the best quality of life possible.

What if you don’t reach the fundraising goal?

Regardless of fundraising, I am committed to caring for Gouda for life. Even if he loses his vision, I will do everything to keep him happy, safe, and comfortable. The funds raised will help me provide the best possible care and medical support.

Can I get updates on Gouda’s condition?

Yes! I’ll be sharing photos and video updates on Gouda’s journey, including vet visits, treatments, and how he’s adapting. Transparency is very important to me, and I’ll share vet receipts (with personal info redacted) to keep everyone informed.