• • Field Ophthalmology Basics
    
  • General Comments
  • Equipping the Ambulatory Vehicle
  • Creating an “Exam Room” in the Field
  • Working on Painful or Fractious Animals
  • Local and Regional Anesthesia
  • Performing Examinations in Field Settings
  • Life Stage Issues
  • Ophthalmic Tests in the Field
  • Field Tips for Vision Testing
  • Tips for Tonometry
  • Field Tips for Ophthalmic Dye Tests
  • Performing Culture and Cytology in the Field
  • Preparation for Diagnostic Sampling in the Field
  • Culture Sampling and Handling
  • Cytology Sampling and Handling
  • Interpreting Ocular Cytology Samples
  • Treatment Choices Based on Corneal Cytology
  • Other Ocular Cytology Indications
  • Imaging in the Field
  • Digital Photography
  • Point-and-Shoot (Electronic Viewfinder) Camera Selection for Field Use
  • Procedure for Ocular Imaging
  • Advanced Photography: Digital Single Lens Reflex Imaging and Infrared Imaging
  • Image Manipulation
  • Ultrasound of the Equine Ocular Region in the Field
  • Radiographic Imaging of the Equine Ocular Region in the Field
  • Treatment of Ocular Problems in the Field
  • General Comments
  • Medical Problems
  • Subconjunctival Injections
  • Subpalpebral Lavage Tube Systems
  • Insertion of the Subpalpebral Lavage System in the Standing Horse
  • Medication Application Using a Subpalpebral Lavage System
  • Management, Repair, and Removal of Subpalpebral Lavage Systems
  • Standing Surgery
  • Preparation for Standing Procedures
  • Field Tips for Basic Standing Procedures
  • Field Tips for Procedures Requiring Retrobulbar Block
  • Enucleation
  • Nictitans Removal
  • Corneal Foreign Body
  • Aqueous Paracentesis
  • Referral
  • Ophthalmology and the Equine Industry
  • Prepurchase Examinations
  • The Ophthalmic Portion of the Prepurchase Examination
  • The Prepurchase Examination Report
  • Issues Specific to Competitive Horses and Horses Used for Commercial Production
  • Medication Rules at FEI Events
  • Medication Rules at USEF Events
  • Ophthalmic Issues for English Show Horses
  • Ophthalmic Issues for Dressage and Eventing Horses
  • Ophthalmic Issues for Western Performance and Rodeo Horses
  • Ophthalmic Issues for Endurance Horses
  • Ophthalmic Issues for Polo Ponies
  • Medication Rules at the Racetrack
  • Ophthalmic Issues for Racehorses
  • Ophthalmic Issues for Broodmares
  • Ophthalmic Issues for Horses Sold at Public Auction
  • Conclusions
  • Veterinary Expertise and Client Continuing Education
  • Acknowledgment
  • References

Practical relevance

Corneal ulcers in cats (ulcerative keratitis) are a common presenting complaint, and are a frequent sequela to feline herpesvirus (FHV-1) infection.  In fact, it is fair to assume an FHV-1 aetiology until proven otherwise.  In practice, therefore, many cases of corneal ulceration can be treated medically, but treatment can frequently be challenging, with the need to tailor therapy carefully to the type of ulcer, the individual cat and its temperament.

Patient group

All age groups and breeds can suffer with ulcerative keratitis although some breeds are over-represented for some types of corneal ulceration.

Evidence base

The scientific literature on feline ulcerative keratitis is extensive, particularly that related to FHV-1 infection.  This article reviews the medical treatment options for corneal ulceration in cats with reference to the current evidence base.

Article Outline

Nucleoside analogues

• Acyclovir
• Valacyclovir
• Idoxuridine
• Trifluridine
• Bromovinyldeoxyuridine
• Vidarabine
• Ganciclovir
• Penciclovir
• Cidofovir
• Zidovudine and [9-(2-phosphonylmethoxyethyl)adenine]

Nonnucleoside antivirals

• Foscarnet
• L-lysine
• Interferons