Feline corneal sequestrum

Feline corneal sequestrum (also known as feline corneal necrosis)[1] is the development of dark areas of dead tissue in the cornea of domestic cats.[2][3][4] This disease is painful to the cat, although it develops slowly over a longer period of time. Cats will usually demonstrate teary eye(s), squinting or closing of the eye(s), and covering of the third eyelid.

Presentation

The affected area of the cornea develops a brown discoloration.[5] The area surrounding the sequestrum may have superficial ulceration.[1] The corneal sequestrum is painful, and the cat may show this by squinting or closing the eye (blepharospasm).[5]

Causes

The cause of corneal sequestra is unknown.[6] A sequestrum in the cornea usually develops following long term (chronic) ulceration of the cornea. Feline viral rhinotracheitis (previously known as Feline herpes virus[7]) is often found in cats with a corneal sequestrum.[1]

Prevention

As the cause is not know, it is difficult to know what steps to take to prevent this from occurring. However, keeping the eyes clean and seeking veterinary attention if an eye is cut, scratched or irritated is advised.

Treatment

Lubricating eye drops are usually given in the first instance of feline corneal sequestra, yet if the eye continues to irritate the cat or becomes worse, surgical removal is usually required. Furthermore, once the removal of the corneal sequestrum is complete, cats will usually remain on lubricating eye drops for the rest of their lives. The disease often reoccurs in cats who have already experienced this problem.

Epidemiology

Any breed of cat may develop a corneal sequestrum, although Persians and Himalayans may be more suspceptable to developing sequestra than other breeds of cat.[5]

References
  1. Maggs, David; Miller, Paul; Ofri, Ron (2013). "Feline corneal sequestrum". Slatter's Fundamentals of Veterinary Ophthalmology (5th ed.). Elsevier. ISBN 9780323241960.
  2. Featherstone, Heidi J.; Sansom, Jane (July 2004). "Feline corneal sequestra: a review of 64 cases (80 eyes) from 1993 to 2000". Veterinary Ophthalmology. 7 (4): 213–227. doi:10.1111/j.1463-5224.2004.04028.x. PMID 15200618.
  3. "Feline Corneal Sequestrum: BluePearl Pet Hospital". BluePearl. BluePearl Veterinary Partners. 2017-10-16. Retrieved 2019-12-15.
  4. Laguna, Fernando; Leiva, Marta; Costa, Daniel; Lacerda, Rodrigo; Peña Gimenez, Teresa (July 2015). "Corneal grafting for the treatment of feline corneal sequestrum: a retrospective study of 18 eyes (13 cats)". Veterinary Ophthalmology. 18 (4): 291–296. doi:10.1111/vop.12228. PMID 25338923.
  5. Esson, Douglas W. (2015). "Chapter 65. Feline corneal sequestrum". Clinical Atlas of Canine and Feline Ophthalmic Disease. John Wiley & Sons. p. 138. ISBN 9781118841044.
  6. "Feline Corneal Sequestra". Animal Eye Care. Retrieved 2019-11-30.
  7. "ICTV 9th Report (2011) Herpesviridae". International Committee on Taxonomy of Viruses (ICTV). Retrieved 2019-11-30.
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