Why Your Cat Should Not Receive Topical Steroid Eye Medication
Why Your Cat Should Not Receive Topical Steroid Eye Medication
Cats are commonly presented to a veterinarian for examination when owners notice symptoms such as squinting, ocular discharge, redness or cloudiness of the eye. Conjunctivitis and corneal ulcers are two of the most common reasons cats develop sudden onset eye pain, and the leading cause for surface ocular disease in pet cats is a viral infection called feline herpesvirus-1 (FHV-1).
Topical steroid eye medications are often prescribed to people and pets to treat an array of conditions that result in eye irritation and inflammation. These medications can be helpful in treating certain eye conditions, but they can also be harmful if used at the wrong time. Because many feline eye problems look similar on the surface, it’s important that these medications are only used when a veterinarian has confirmed they are safe.
What Makes Steroid Eye Medications Risky?
They can worsen viral infections and make ulcers much worse. Steroids reduce the eye’s natural immune defences and can cause symptoms of the viral infection to become more severe. FHV-1 is the most common reason that a cat develops a corneal ulcer, and virus-induced corneal ulcers are not often visible without special testing. A veterinarian must screen your cat for ulcers when performing an examination of the affected eye. In addition to worsening of viral infection, steroids slow healing, promote corneal tissue breakdown, and can cause an ulcer to deepen quickly, which may threaten vision.
They can cause long‑term complications. Studies have proven that inappropriate use of topical steroids in cats can increase the risk of persistent viral infection. Stromal keratitis, a type of immune driven chronic inflammation of the cornea, is more likely to occur in FHV-1 positive cats treated with topical steroids.
When Are Steroids Appropriate?
Unlike people, cats are not commonly affected by allergic conjunctivitis. There are very few instances when topical steroids should be prescribed for cats. The majority of cats experiencing eye pain attributable to surface ocular disease should never receive a topical steroid. Rather, there are other medications that are safer and carry fewer risks. Ophthalmologists are the best specialists to consult with your veterinarian if your cat is experiencing an eye condition for which a topical steroid is being considered.