Page 1233 - Problem-Based Feline Medicine

59 – THE CAT WITH OCULAR DISCHARGE OR CHANGED CONJUNCTIVAL APPEARANCE 1225

from neoplasia, but a biopsy may be required for
CONJUNCTIVAL
HEMANGIOMA/HEMANGIOSARCOMA differentiation.

Classical signs Treatment
● Focal raised red lesion in the lateral
Wide surgical excision with cryosurgery of the base
conjunctiva or on the outer surface of the
of the wound will usually be curative. Regular checks
third eyelid.
need to be made for regrowth.
● Often described by the owner as a small
blood blister on the eye. Beta radiation may be used if available.
● Red cornea adjacent to lateral conjunctival
lesions in advanced cases. EYELID CONDITIONS CAUSING
OCULAR DISCHARGE
See the main reference on page 1075 for details (The
Cat With Skin Lumps and Bumps).
MEIBOMIAN GLAND INFLAMMATION**
Pathogenesis
Classical signs
Lesions in this area are usually primary, and probably
● Serous ocular discharge.
caused by UV radiation. However, it is prudent to check
● Blepharospasm and rubbing of eyes with
for systemic signs of hemangiosarcoma.
front paws.
This is a rare condition in cats. ● Inner surface of eyelids are bright red.
● Raised cream-colored lesions on the eyelid
Clinical signs margin.

Conjunctival hemangioma or hemangiosarcoma
See the main reference on page 1324 for details. (The
appears as a small raised red area, most commonly in
Cat With Abnormal Eyelid Appearance).
the conjunctiva at the lateral limbus.
The cornea may become infiltrated with bright red tis-
Pathogenesis
sue in chronic cases. An intense red infiltration will
appear extending from the lateral limbus adjacent to the Meibomian gland inflammation may be caused by
conjunctival lesion. an infection of the glands, usually with Staphylo-
coccus or Streptococcus spp.
Hemangioma or hemangiosarcoma may also occur on
the conjunctival surface at the leading edge of the third In some cases, the infectious agent may cause a hyper-
eyelid. A red raised focal lesion on the leading surface sensitivity reaction. This is more common with
of the third eyelid can occur as a separate problem, not Staphylococcus spp.
associated with lesions near the limbus.
The inflammation and hypersensitivity reaction may
Very little change occurs in the surrounding tissue. change the ocular pH on the eyelid surface, which fur-
ther exacerbates the problem.
Diagnosis
Individual glands swell with inspissated lipid sec-
Biopsy is essential to differentiate hemangioma from retions.
hemangiosarcoma.

Differential diagnosis Clinical signs
Healing wounds with granulating tissue have a very The cat presents with a history of irritated eyes, and
similar appearance to hemangiosarcoma. A history has a serous to mucopurulent discharge around the
of trauma may help to differentiate granulation tissue eyelid margins.