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Feline Corneal Sequestration
A Feline
Corneal Sequestrum is a condition unique to cats. It can occur in
any breed but is especially common in Persians, Himalayans, Colorpoints,
Abbysinians and Burmese. Cats of any age can be affected.
This is
when black of brown spot develops in the cornea. It may or may not
be associated with corneal vascularization (blood vessels).
Feline Corneal
Sequestration may develop without any obvious cause, or they may
also follow viral infections e.g. cat flu (feline herpes virus),
corneal ulcers, or from irritation.
In some
cases new Feline Corneal Sequestration lesions can develop in the
same eye or in the other eye, this is especially common in Persians.
In early
cases we have had some cases respond to topical drops. These drops
may need to be applied for 1 to 2 months before any response is
seen. We seem to get the best response to this therapy in cases
where there is just slight discoloration to the cornea.
Surgery
Is recommended
in most cases, as all of the discoloured cornea is removed with
the aid of an operating microscope.
After all
the discolored corneal sequestration is removed, the cornea is covered
with a third eyelid flap for 7 to 14 days whilst the cornea heals.
Antibiotics either via drops into the eye or antibiotic paste into
the food are required.
If the Feline
Corneal Sequestration is deep or if it recurs a permanent conjunctival
graft, or a synthetic corneal graft or a corneoscleral transposition
graft is stitched directly into the corneal defect. This seems to
reduce the chance of further problems. It may not be possible to
judge how deep the lesion is until we are actually in surgery.
After the
black spot has been removed it is possible for unusual reactions
to develop on the cornea. These may include corneal scarring and
eosinophilic keratitis. These complications are unpredictable and
may require prolonged treatment.
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