Corneal Ulcers In Cats

CORNEAL ULCERS IN CATS

A corneal ulcer is basically a scratch on the cornea of a cat’s eye. The cornea is like the window of the cat’s eye; it is transparent and is located at the front of the eyeball. When this window suffers some kind of trauma, it causes an ulcer to form on the window.

SOURCE & CAUSE(S) OF CORNEAL ULCERS IN CATS

Most corneal ulcers are caused by an injury, or by an infection that penetrates deep enough to cause an ulcer. In cats in particular, the most common cause of a corneal ulcer is a cat fight where a claw has scratched the corneal surface causing an ulcer.

SIGNS & SYMPTOMS OF CORNEAL ULCERS IN CATS

Eye pain - Your cat will be rubbing the eye or holding it closed and squinting. If you try to touch the area around the eye, your cat may move away and even growl to show that it is painful.
Excessive tearing of the eye.
Swollen or bulging eye that may also appear bloodshot.
Sensitivity to bright light and squinting are commonly seen.
Loss of appetite or lethargy will indicate that your cat is not feeling well.
The cornea may have a cloudy appearance.

DIAGNOSIS & TESTS FOR CORNEAL ULCERS IN CATS

Diagnosis begins with a complete history and a physical exam of the cat. Your veterinarian will most likely do the following:

Complete eye exam with an ophthalmoscope
Corneal stain - A fluorescent dye is placed in the eye and then examined with an ultraviolet light. If an ulcer is present, it will glow green under the UV light. Your veterinarian can now evaluate the size and location of the ulcer.

TREATMENT & MANAGEMENT OF CORNEAL ULCERS IN CATS

The goal in treating corneal ulcers is to shrink the ulcer and relieve pain for your cat. This is usually done through a combination of drugs. If there is an underlying infection, you will also be giving a round of antibiotics. On occasion, if the ulcer is large enough, surgery is indicated. A veterinary surgeon will suture the eyelids together, providing an eye bandage until the ulcer dissolves. Once this occurs, the eye is opened up and vision restored.

PREVENTION & HELPFUL TIPS FOR CORNEAL ULCERS IN CATS

There is no prevention for corneal ulcers as most are trauma related. However, if you have a multi-cat household, you might want to consider keeping cats indoors. Declawing can also be a preventive measure against corneal injuries.