Make no mistake, if your dog or cat has a problem with their eye then it can go from being a minor inconvenience or irritation to something really serious within a day or two. It could even result in permanent blindness or loss of the eye.
You definitely want to make sure that they are being given the right treatment for keratitis or any other form of eye disease!
- Keratitis is an inflammation of the surface of the eye - the cornea. There are 2 main categories: ulcerative and non-ulcerative
- Keratitis in cats is most often caused by infection with herpesvirus, but can also be due to other causes including trauma, irritation, immune system dysfunction, increased intraocular pressure (glaucoma), and dry eye
- The surface of the eye becomes pink/white/chalky with raised lesions, you may also notice new blood vessels growing over the eye
- So long as no ulceration of cornea then steroid drops are the most common treatment of keratitis in cats, although this will depend on your cat’s history and the suspected underlying keratitis cause.
- If a corneal ulcer is present - something your vet will check using fluorescein stain - then antibiotics will be given first to allow the eye ulcer to heal
- Additional treatment may be needed alongside the steroid eye drop. These can include oral or injectible steroids and antiviral medication
- Treatment may be needed lifelong. Once a cat has herpesvirus then it is often with them for life and may cause a permanent or intermittent keratitis (as well as other problems)
- If your cat is receiving steroid eye drops and any discharge is geting worse or their eye becoming painful then stop the medication and get your cat’s eye checked over straight away. If an ulcer is present and steroid eye drops are continues then it is possible for a deep ulcer to form that can then burst
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