Follow-up care of corneal ulcers is critical. Administer any prescribed medication(s) as directed and be certain to alert your veterinarian if you are experiencing problems treating your cat. Optimal follow up veterinary care involves the following:
Because uncomplicated ulcers often heal within seven days, all ulcers are rechecked within this time period. More serious ulcers or any ulcer that appears to worsen during treatment are checked sooner and more frequently. At the recheck examination, fluorescein stain is again used to outline the ulcer. Any ulcer that worsens despite appropriate therapy requires further investigation and may warrant referral to a veterinary ophthalmologist.
Recheck examinations also allow monitoring of any inciting causes, such as regrowth of eyelashes, return of normal blink responses, changes in tear production, or appropriateness of lid position following entropion surgery.
Feline herpesvirus can be a chronically recurrent disease in some cats and may be complicated by other corneal disorders, such as corneal sequestration and chronic keratitis, as well as chronic intermittent conjunctivitis.
