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Last year, the Helen and Arthur E. Johnson Hospital welcomed a special patient: Boi, a one-year-old, red-necked wallaby. At one year old, our Animal Care Specialists noticed that our youngest wallaby suddenly developed cloudiness in his right eye, which was diagnosed as a cataract by our Veterinary Medicine team.
A cataract is when the lens in the eye becomes cloudy and makes it difficult for an animal to see. While cataracts are relatively common in older animals, they are unusual in one so young. Although Boi never showed signs of discomfort, there was high risk that the cataract would eventually damage the internal structure of his eye, making intervention the best option for his long-term health and vision.
To ensure the best possible outcome, our Veterinary Medicine team, along with experts from Colorado State University, Johnson & Johnson and BluePearl Specialty + Emergency Pet Hospital – Lafayette, teamed up to help remove Boi’s cataract. The surgery was performed by Veterinary Ophthalmologist Dr. Trevor Arnold, DVM, MS, DACVO.
To help explain the delicate process, a BluePearl Ophthalmology Registered Veterinary Technician offered a simple analogy: imagine the eye’s lens like an M&M. The outer wrapper represents the lens capsule, the chocolate layer is the cortex, and the center peanut is the nucleus. During cataract surgery, both the cortex and nucleus are removed while leaving the capsule intact. In many species, an artificial lens is placed inside the capsule, but wallabies don’t receive replacement lenses. As a result, Boi will be slightly farsighted, but his functional vision will be significantly improved.
After a smooth recovery with mom, Boi has returned to Wallaby Way and is once again exploring his habitat alongside the rest of the wallaby mob.
Thank you to the experts who donated their time and expertise, as well as to Johnson & Johnson for lending a specialized phacoemulsification system. This advanced ophthalmology equipment allowed Boi’s cataract surgery to be performed on-site, reducing transportation and anesthesia time and creating a less stressful experience for Boi.
We’re also incredible grateful to BluePearl Specialty + Emergency Pet Hospital – Lafayette for donating the operating microscope used during Boi’s procedure. This microscope has become an invaluable addition to our state-of-the-art Helen and Arthur E. Johnson Animal Hospital, helping us continue to provide exceptional care for the animals who call DZCA home.
Boi’s story highlights the thoughtful care and strong partnerships that support animal health at DZCA every day, ensuring each animal has what they need to thrive.
