Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Ulcerative keratitis and corneal sequestra in brachycephalic
By Frejlich, M & Payen, G·Published in Veterinary ophthalmology·2026·Department of Ophthalmology, France·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Prevalence and Characteristics of Feline Ulcerative Keratitis and Corneal Sequestra in a Referral Population and Comparison Between Brachycephalic and Nonbrachycephalic Cats.
- Species:
- cat
Plain-English summary
A study found that brachycephalic cats, like Persians and Bulldogs, are more likely to develop painful eye problems called ulcerative keratitis (UK) and corneal sequestra (CS) compared to other cat breeds. Out of the cats examined, 36% of brachycephalic cats had UK, while only 15% of nonbrachycephalic cats were affected. Treatment often involved keratoplasty, a surgical procedure to repair the cornea, which was more common in brachycephalic cats. Overall, the findings suggest that if you have a flat-faced cat, it's important to keep an eye on their eye health and consult your vet if you notice any symptoms.
People also search for: brachycephalic cat eye problems · cat corneal ulcer treatment · symptoms of corneal sequestrum in cats
Abstract
OBJECTIVES: To investigate the prevalence and characteristics of feline ulcerative keratitis (UK) and corneal sequestra (CS) in brachycephalic and nonbrachycephalic breeds. ANIMALS STUDIED: Brachycephalic and nonbrachycephalic cats. PROCEDURES: Cats diagnosed with UK or CS (Total, 392; UK, 290; CS, 102), between 2013 and 2022, were included. Collected data included signalment, affected eye, lesion characteristics, predisposing factors, and treatment type. UK was classified as superficial (grade 1), stromal (grade 2), or descemetoceles and perforations (grade 3). Sequestra received grade CS or CSwhen associated without or with infectious keratitis, respectively. Disease prevalence and collected data were compared between normocephalic and brachycephalic cats. RESULTS: Prevalence of UK was 15% (218/1418) in nonbrachycephalics and 36% (72/202) in brachycephalics (p < .001). No significant differences were noted in the prevalence of grades 2 and 3 between brachycephalics and nonbrachycephalics. Brachycephalics were more affected by central/paracentral corneal ulcers (p = .001) or sequestra (p < .001). Corneal vascularization was more frequent in nonbrachycephalics in both UK (non-BC, 67%; BC: 57%) and CS (non-BC, 74%; BC; 52%) groups. Keratoplasty was more frequently conducted in brachycephalics (p < .001). Overall, 38/286 nonbrachycephalic eyes and 3/128 brachycephalic eyes with UK or CS underwent entropion surgery (p = .002). CONCLUSION: Brachycephalic cats were more affected by UK and CS. Stromal and perforated corneal ulcers were not more frequent in brachycephalics, but corneal lesions were centrally located and less frequently associated with corneal vascularization than in nonbrachycephalics. An inferotemporal entropion was more often associated with UK or CS in nonbrachycephalics.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40739742/