Fur provides much-needed insulation from the cold, making it necessary for many animals.Besides, it makes them look different; there are some animals you would not even recognize when they are completely bald.
Rescuers have just brought in a more uncommon creature that resembles a hairless cat. Learn more about this unique species and her unlikely survival by reading on.
Hope for Wildlife, a nonprofit conservation organization in Nova Scotia, adopted the most bizarre animal last month. According to the Canadian Press, a couple in West Arichat discovered the animal in their property, suffering from the cold.
At first sight, the creature looks like a Sphynx cat, but it’s actually a completely hairless raccoon!
When their characteristic mask-like fur pattern is absent, raccoons are very hard to spot. This little creature is a northern raccoon, and it is completely bald due to severe alopecia.
The rescue said that while there have been cases of balding raccoons in the past, this one is unlike any other: “It’s just tufts of fur around the snout, ankles and feet.” Hope Swinimer, director of Hope for Wildlife, alerted the Canadian Press to the gravity of the issue.
The raccoon has been named Rufus in commemoration of the character from the Kim Possible cartoon who is a naked mole rat, even if it is a female.
The rescue said on Facebook that they are still trying to figure out why she is losing her hair, but they believe it could be an autoimmune disorder that is damaging her hair follicles. They found that her skin appeared healthy and ruled out parasites, fungal infections, and mange.
A Common Nighttime Habit Cost Him His Sight
A 39-year-old man named Groeschen woke up one morning with an irritated eye. Initially suspecting allergies, he didn’t think much of it. However, as the discomfort worsened over the next few days, he decided to seek medical help.
At the Cincinnati Eye Institute, Groeschen received alarming news. He had contracted a bacterial infection caused by Pseudomonas. Doctors determined the likely culprit: sleeping in his contact lenses. This habit allowed the bacteria to thrive under the lenses, leading to a serious infection.
Despite being treated with antibiotics that eradicated the bacteria, the damage was already done. Groeschen developed a corneal ulcer, and the resulting scar tissue left him partially blind in the affected eye.
“It’s like trying to see through frosted glass,” doctors explained. “The infection eroded part of the cornea, and the scarring significantly impairs vision, even after the infection clears.”
To restore his sight, Groeschen will require a corneal transplant, a procedure with a lengthy recovery time of about a year.
As the owner of a design and restoration company, the vision loss made it challenging for him to keep up with his work. Reflecting on his experience, Groeschen pointed out that his contact lenses were labeled as safe for overnight wear, but he believes this advice should be reconsidered.
The American Academy of Ophthalmology has long warned about the dangers of wearing any type of contact lenses overnight, stating that it significantly increases the risk of eye infections.
Dr. William Faulkner, who treated Groeschen, emphasized, “The safest approach for eye health is to avoid sleeping in contact lenses altogether. Daily-wear disposable lenses are the best option for reducing risks.”
Other risky behaviors among contact lens users include using old lens cases for too long and failing to completely replace the cleaning solution after each use.
This story serves as an important reminder: seemingly harmless habits, like sleeping in contact lenses, can have serious consequences.
Please share this article to raise awareness and help others avoid similar risks.
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