Page 1292 - Problem-Based Feline Medicine

1284 PART 15 CAT WITH EYE PROBLEMS

Serology is usually regarded as being of dubious bene-
FELINE INFECTIOUS PERITONITIS (FIP)
VIRUS** fit in the diagnosis, as the FIP organism cross-reacts
with enteric forms of coronavirus.
Classical signs Diagnosis can only be confirmed on characteristic
histopathology of affected tissues on biopsy or
● Fibrinous peritonitis, central nervous
necropsy examination. Typical change is described as
system disease or fibrinous uveitis in a
a pyogranulomatous vasculitis. Necrosis and a fibrinoid
young cat.
response are seen in some cases.
● Variable vision loss and/or abnormal pupil
reflexes.
● Systemic signs including anorexia, lethargy USE OF PARASYMPATHOLYTIC DRUGS**
and fever.
Classical signs
For more detail see main reference on page 1295 for
● Dilated non-responsive pupil associated
details (The Cat With Abnormal Iris Appearance) and
with normal vision.
page 352 (The Thin, Inappetent Cat).
● History of recent use of one of these drugs
in the same eye.
Clinical signs
FIP typically causes fibrinous peritonitis and/or signs Clinical signs
of central nervous system disease and/or fibrinous
Dilated non-responsive pupil(s) associated with nor-
uveitis in a young cat.
mal vision.
Anorexia, pyrexia, weight loss and malaise are usu-
History of use of eye drops containing a parasympa-
ally present. Other signs including icterus, abdominal
tholytic drug such as atropine or tropicamide in the pre-
distention, dyspnea and multifocal neurological signs
vious 1–2 weeks.
are variably present.
In the eye, the most common presenting sign is a fibri-
Diagnosis
nous uveitis. Fibrinous exudation results in cream to
red-colored solid opacities in the anterior chamber, or Diagnosis is based purely on the clinical signs, and
over the surface of the iris. the history of recent use of one of these drugs in the
same eye.
Other signs of anterior uveitis such as blood or cloudi-
ness in the anterior chamber, miosis, general redden- Diagnosis is usually confirmed by the return of nor-
ing or thickening of the iris, and injection of deep mal pupil reflexes within 1–2 weeks of cessation of
episcleral vessels may be evident. use of the drug in the eye.
Variable vision loss and/or abnormal pupil reflexes may
be present. DRUG TOXICITY TO
FLUOROQUINOLONES* **
–
Usually occurs in a cat less than 3 years of age, which
has been housed with other cats in the previous
Classical signs
18 months, for example, in a cattery or multi-cat
household. ● Acute onset of bilaterally dilated pupils,
non-responsive to light.
Diagnosis ● Acute onset vision loss.
● History of recent use of a fluoroquinolone,
Diagnosis is based initially on the suspicious clinical especially at higher than recommended
signs. The “wet” forms (fibrinous peritonitis) and “dry” dose.
forms of the disease usually occur separately.