TREATMENT OF CATS WITH OCULAR DISEASE ATTRIBUTABLE TO HERPESVIRUS-INFECTION - 17 CASES (1983-1993)

Medical records of 17 cats with ocular disease attributable to herpesv irus infection were reviewed. Herpesvirus infection was confirmed by a positive result on an immunofluorescent antibody test or by detection of dendritic corneal ulcers. Cats were 3 months to 23 years old (mean , 4.8 years). Sex or breed predilections were not evident. Vaccination history was available for 13 cats, 9 of which had been adequately vac cinated against feline viral rhinotracheitis, calici, and panleukopeni a viruses. Six cats had a history of respiratory tract disease. Twelve cats were tested for FeLV, and 3 had positive results, 7 cats were te sted for feline immunodeficiency virus, with 1 positive result. The mo st common ocular abnormality seen was conjunctivitis (13/17 cats), fol lowed by dendritic corneal ulcers (10/17 cats). Keratitis was detected in 6 of 17 cats, and nondendritic corneal ulcers in 3 of 17 cats. Cor neal sequestra weve evident on initial examination or developed during the follow-up period in 4 of 17 cats. Keratoconjunctivitis sicca was diagnosed in 2 of 17 cats, and anterior uveitis was evident in 1 of 17 cats. All cats had 2 or move clinical ocular abnormalities associated with herpesvirus infection. Treatment with topically applied antivira l medications was instituted in 14 cats, including idoxuridine in 7, v idarabine in 4, and trifluridine in 3. Antibiotics weve used topically in 10 cats, and atropine was used in 3 cats. Topical administration o f corticosteroids was used in 2 cats. Recombinant human alpha-interfer on was given orally to 3 cats in conjunction with topical administrati on of antiviral agents. In addition to medical treatment, 4 cats were treated surgically. The 17 cats were reexamined 1 to 9 times (mean, 3 reexaminations). Follow-up monitoring (reexamination) was performed be tween 1 week and 3 years after initial treatment. Ocular disease resol ved in 3 of 17 cats, 8 had clinical improvement, and 6 did not have im provement ol became worse. A specific antiviral treatment regimen that was clinically superior to other treatments could not be identified.