Page 1284 - Problem-Based Feline Medicine

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1276 PART 15 CAT WITH EYE PROBLEMS

The use of steroid anti-inflammatory drugs for the ocu- The neoplasia rapidly extends through the choroid
lar lesion has to be weighed against the potential and infiltrates the optic nerve. Metastasis has been
immunosuppressive effects. reported.
Survival rate is very low.
FELINE INTRA-OCULAR SARCOMA
Diagnosis
Classical signs
A tentative diagnosis is based on the signalment, his-
● Rare, primary neoplasia that occurs in
tory and signs of an old cat with a prior history of
older cats (7–15 years).
trauma and signs of glaucoma, uveitis and keratitis.
● History of previous severe trauma to eye.
● Anterior uveitis, keratitis (corneal edema A definitive diagnosis is based on histological exami-
and pigmentation) and glaucoma. nation of tissue.
● White to pinkish masses may be visible in ● Fine-needle biopsy can be attempted, but may not
the vitreous. yield a diagnostic sample if the tumor contains
fibrous and cartilagenous tissue.
● Histopathology of enucleated globes shows
Clinical signs changes that may include granulation tissue, fibro-
sarcoma, osteosarcoma and anaplastic spindle
Intra-ocular sarcoma is a rare primary neoplasia
cell sarcoma.
reported only in cats.
All blind globes with chronic uveitis should be
It is occurs in older cats 7–15 years of age, that have
watched for the development of this condition.
had a history of ocular trauma 3–10 years previously.
There may be signs of anterior uveitis with keratitis,
Treatment
with edema and pigmentation of the cornea. These
changes may prevent visualization of the intra-ocular
Early enucleation with histopathology should be
structures.
done on all globes with a prior history of trauma when-
Secondary glaucoma is common at this stage of the ever there are changes in the size and shape of the
disease. The eye will show buphthalmos (enlarged globe, or changes in the anterior chamber and cornea
globe) with engorged scleral vessels. indicative of intra-ocular disease.
If the posterior segment of the eye can be visualized, Severely traumatized blind eyes in cats should be
white to pink masses may be seen in the vitreous. enucleated to prevent the occurrence of this condition,
particularly if there has been lens rupture.
The condition is thought to occur after lens trauma,
which triggers the lens epithelial cells to undergo Check for metastases to regional lymph nodes and
metaplasia. other organs such as lungs and liver prior to surgery.