🔍 Warning Signs to Watch For

Contact your vet if you notice:

• Persistent squinting, frequent blinking or an eye held closed

• Excessive tearing or unusual eye discharge

• Redness or swelling around the eye

• A cloudy appearance to the normally clear cornea, sometimes with a bluish-white haze

• Pawing at the eye, rubbing the face or sensitivity to light.

• Not all ulcers are visible without an eye examination. An eye can look relatively clear and still have a painful surface injury.

🩺 What Causes Corneal Ulcers?

Common causes include injuries and feline herpesvirus (FHV-1) infection. Other possible causes include:

• Scratches from another cat, vegetation or other objects

• Foreign material trapped under an eyelid

• Inward-rolling eyelids, known as entropion, or abnormal hairs rubbing against the cornea

• Chemical irritation

• Tear-film problems, including dry eye, which is a less common cause in cats.

⚠️ Why Prompt Treatment Matters

A deep or rapidly worsening ulcer can cause the cornea to perforate, threatening both vision and the eye itself. These cases may require emergency surgery.

If your cat develops persistent squinting, eye pain, redness or cloudiness, arrange a same-day veterinary assessment. Do not wait for a visible mark or a change in eye colour before seeking help.

✅ How Vets Diagnose and Treat Corneal Ulcers

Your vet will examine the eye and usually apply fluorescein dye to identify damage to the corneal surface. The examination also helps assess the ulcer’s depth, severity and possible cause.

Treatment depends on the findings and may include:

• Antibiotic eye drops or ointment to prevent or treat bacterial infection

• Antiviral medication when FHV-1 is suspected or involved

• Medication to relieve pain

• An Elizabethan collar to prevent rubbing or scratching

• Surgery or referral to a veterinary ophthalmologist for deep, worsening or complicated ulcers.

Follow-up examinations are important. Your vet may repeat the fluorescein test to confirm that the surface has healed, even if the eye appears more comfortable.

Do Not Self-Medicate

Do not use human eye drops, leftover medication or steroid-containing eye drops unless your vet specifically prescribes them for the current problem. Steroid eye drops can delay ulcer healing and cause serious complications.

👀 Everyday Eye Care and Risk Reduction

Not all corneal ulcers can be prevented, but you can help reduce risks:

• Watch for changes in your cat’s eyes and seek advice promptly if anything looks uncomfortable or unusual.

• Reduce exposure to sharp objects, irritating chemicals and situations that may lead to eye injuries.

• Keep vaccinations up to date according to your vet’s recommendations. FHV-1 vaccination helps reduce the severity of associated illness, but it does not guarantee protection against infection or corneal ulcers.

Concerned About Your Cat’s Eye?

Contact SPK Animal Hospital promptly to arrange an examination. If your cat’s eye is painful, held closed or becoming cloudy, seek urgent veterinary care rather than waiting for a routine appointment.

🏥 SPK Animal Hospital 📍 San Po Kong, Kowloon | Experienced vet team

📞 Book via Whatsapp 67639007 or call 24202266 if you have any concerns