Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Cat with severe eye inflammation improves with combined steroid
By Amanda K. Romaneck et al.·Published in Frontiers in Veterinary Science·2021·Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Iowa State University, Ames, IA, United States, CH·View original on DOAJ →
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Original publication title: Case Report: Clinical Remission in a Cat With Severe Bilateral Eosinophilic Keratitis Receiving Combined Immunosuppressive Therapy (Triamcinolone Acetonide and Tacrolimus)
- Species:
- cat
Plain-English summary
A 2-year-old domestic shorthair cat was brought in for severe eye problems that had lasted 10 months, causing discomfort and making the cat hide. The vet found serious ulcers in both eyes and diagnosed eosinophilic keratitis, a condition that can cause inflammation. Treatment started with an injection of triamcinolone and eye drops, including ciprofloxacin and tacrolimus. Within a day, the cat showed significant improvement, and after a few weeks of treatment, the eye issues were nearly completely resolved. At a follow-up visit 101 days later, the cat was in remission, and the condition did not return over the next year.
People also search for: cat eye problems · eosinophilic keratitis treatment · cat eye ulcer medication
Abstract
A 2-year-old domestic shorthair cat was examined for severe keratitis of 10 months duration, non-responsive to 0.1% dexamethasone q8-12h. Patient and owner compliance were poor given ocular discomfort and hiding behavior. On presentation, both eyes (OU) had severe ulcerative keratitis that masked examination of deeper structures and resulted in absent menace response OU. Corneal cytology was consistent with eosinophilic keratitis (EK) OU. Initial therapy included subcutaneous triamcinolone acetonide injection (0.2 mg/kg), 0.3% ciprofloxacin OU q12h, and two compounded drugs started 5 days later upon receipt: 0.5% tacrolimus OU q6h, 0.5% cidofovir OU q12h. Visual behavior and ocular comfort were reportedly much improved within 24 h. At the first recheck (Day 11), patient and owner compliance were reported to be excellent, menace response was positive OU, and keratitis was dramatically reduced OU with absent fluorescein uptake. Subcutaneous triamcinolone acetonide was repeated (0.2 mg/kg), ciprofloxacin was discontinued, cidofovir was continued q12h, and tacrolimus was slowly tapered (q8h × 3 weeks then q12h). Keratitis was nearly 100% resolved at the second recheck (Day 38); cidofovir was discontinued and tacrolimus was slowly tapered (q12h × 1 week, q24h × 4 weeks, q48h × 4 weeks) then discontinued. A third recheck (Day 101) confirmed clinical remission OU, and disease did not reoccur within a 1 year follow up period (photographic documentation by owner). In sum, adjunct use of triamcinolone acetonide greatly improved therapeutic compliance and helped control severe EK in a rapid and effective manner.
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Search related cases →Original publication on DOAJ: https://doi.org/10.3389/fvets.2021.580396