Feline Corneal Ulcer Welfare and Management

Corneal ulcers cause significant ocular pain in cats and require prompt treatment to prevent progression to perforation.

Key Facts

Corneal ulcers in cats are often caused by herpesvirus reactivation or traumatic injury
Brachycephalic cats are predisposed due to exposure keratopathy from prominent eyes
Clinical signs include blepharospasm, epiphora, and ocular cloudiness
Antiviral treatment with famciclovir or topical cidofovir addresses herpesvirus aetiology
Deep or rapidly progressing ulcers require emergency surgical referral

Welfare Considerations

Corneal ulcers cause acute ocular pain measurable through pain behaviour scoring, with deeper ulcers causing more severe and persistent discomfort. Progression to descemetocoele and perforation is a welfare emergency causing severe pain and risk of vision loss. Early diagnosis and aggressive management — antiviral therapy, broad-spectrum antibiotics, atropine for ciliary spasm pain, and collar protection — substantially reduces the duration and severity of welfare compromise. Regular monitoring to assess response and adjust treatment is essential.

What You Can Do

Seek prompt veterinary ophthalmic assessment for any cat showing eye squinting or discharge
Provide an Elizabethan collar to prevent self-trauma during corneal ulcer treatment
Administer all prescribed eye medications consistently at the intervals instructed
Return for rechecks as directed — corneal ulcer reassessment every 3-5 days is standard practice