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Peer-reviewed veterinary case report

Corneal ulcers in cats are usually caused by feline herpesvirus 1

By Hartley, Claudia·Published in Journal of feline medicine and surgery·2010·Animal Health Trust, United Kingdom·View original on PubMed

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Original publication title: Aetiology of corneal ulcers assume FHV-1 unless proven otherwise.

Species:
cat

Plain-English summary

A cat with a corneal ulcer, which is a painful eye condition, may be suffering from an infection caused by feline herpesvirus 1 (FHV-1). This virus is a common cause of such ulcers, but other issues like trauma or eyelid problems can also lead to this condition. Treating corneal ulcers can be tricky and often requires a customized approach based on the cat's specific needs and behavior. If your cat has a corneal ulcer, it's important to consult your veterinarian for the best treatment options.

People also search for: cat eye problems · feline herpesvirus treatment · corneal ulcer in cats · how to treat cat eye ulcers · cat eye infection symptoms

Abstract

OVERVIEW: Feline ulcerative keratitis is a common presenting complaint and is frequently a sequela of feline herpesvirus 1 (FHV-1) infection; so much so, in fact, that it is fair to assume an FHV-1 aetiology until proven otherwise. Other potential causes of ulceration are trauma or underlying eyelid abnormalities (entropion, ectropion, agenesis, dermoids, neoplasia), lash abnormalities (ectopic cilia, trichiasis), tear film abnormalities or neurological deficiencies (trigeminal nerve paralysis, facial nerve paralysis). CLINICAL CHALLENGES: The management of corneal ulceration in cats is frequently challenging, and treatment needs to be tailored carefully to the individual cat, its temperament, and the disease process present. EVIDENCE BASE: The scientific literature on feline ulcerative keratitis is extensive, particularly that related to FHV-1 infection. The aim of this article is to review the aetiology and diagnosis of corneal ulceration in cats with particular reference to the evidence base available. PATIENT GROUP: All age groups and breeds can suffer with ulcerative keratitis. Breed predispositions are present for some forms of corneal ulceration, and these are discussed.

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Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20123484/