Corneal Ulcer In Cats: Symptoms, Diagnosis, Treatment And Prevention
Corneal ulcer is a serious problem to which cats that fight with their congeners are particularly exposed. But it can have other causes. Let’s find out in more detail what this lesion on the surface of the cornea is more precisely which can, in certain cases, seriously alter vision in cats in the event of bacterial superinfection. Let’s also see what are the main symptoms who should alert and what treatment can be considered.
What Is The Cornea?
The cornea is the transparent part that envelops the anterior area of the eyeball. It is more precisely in front of the pupil and the iris. It’s a kind of convex natural lens which plays a protective role and transmits light to the retina and the lens. It is therefore very involved in the extremely complex mechanism of vision. She is constantly nourished by tears.
Main Causes Of Corneal Ulcer In Cats
Corneal ulcer is a fairly common problem in cats that can have various origins, such as:
- THE scratches in an eye during fights between cats (by far the most common cause of ulceration in these animals),
- Poor placement of eyelashes (quite rare in cats),
- The introduction of one spikelet into the eye or another foreign body (traumatic origin),
- There tear dryness that is to say an absence of tears (we commonly speak of “dry eye”),
- Herpes or other viral disease.
It is necessary to check the state of the eyes of the animal when it returns from an escapade in the middle of nature because it may have perforated the retina for example by infiltrating branches.
Corneal Ulcer: Symptoms
The master of the little feline must do everything to obtain an appointment with the veterinary as soon as possible if his cat shows one or more of the following symptoms:
- Tremors in one of the eyelids,
- An eye that remains closed,
- The cat insistently tries to rub one eye,
- Redness around the eye which, in addition, is very painful,
- A part of the iris that protrudes outside the eye, which is recognizable by a blackish ball,
- purulent discharge,
- A loss of corneal transparency resulting in a bluish reflection.
These are apparent manifestations. Other symptoms are possible, but if the cat’s eye remains closed, its owner may not notice them.
How To Treat Corneal Ulcer In A Cat?
It is important that the animal is taken care of urgently by a veterinarian who may be required to carry out different exams in order to identify the cause of the corneal ulcer with certainty. A dye is applied to visualize the ulcer, but the practitioner usually resorts to a bacterial culture and perform a blood test. He also measures the arterial pressure of the sick eye, quantifies the production of tears and if he deems it necessary, he can even perform a scarification or a scraping in order to carry out all the useful investigations to confirm his diagnosis.
The veterinarian first prescribes a Pain killer then a topical treatment to limit the risk of infectious complications such as antibiotics. Ointment and eye drops are part of the treatment. In many cases, a few days are enough for the healing to be complete. If the origin of the corneal ulcer is a viral disease, of course, specific treatment will be prescribed.
In some cases, in order to keep the eyeball when the cornea has been punctured, it may be necessary to perform a surgical intervention. But for the prognosis to be favorable, the act must be performed within 12 hours (at the latest before a period of 48 hours). Surgery is the solution that can also correct an anomaly at the origin of the corneal ulcer. It is also essential for make up for a loss of substance at least equal to 50%. Thus, the cornea recovers its solidity. Finally, a corneal transplant can be considered. In all cases, a follow-up visit is required at the end of treatment.
It is important that this type of problem is not overlooked, even if the ulcer seems superficial. The eye is a extremely vulnerable organ, and any impairment may result in partial or total loss of vision. You must also take the precaution of equipping your cat with a collar for the duration of the treatment and also if it has been treated surgically. This avoids scratching, which greatly increases the risk of infection and delays healing.
