Ocular Manifestations of Systemic Disease in Cats*

Ocular Manifestations of Systemic Disease in Cats

A wide range of systemic diseases affect the eyes in all species, including cats. As the eye can be examined so readily, it is invaluable to be able to recognise ocular signs that can provide an early, rapid diagnosis and accessible evaluation of therapy success. Systemic diseases in cats that can affect the eye include infectious (viral, bacterial, protozoal, fungal and parasitic) and non-infectious (cardiovascular, metabolic, neoplastic and nutritional) conditions. In particular, cats presenting with bilateral ocular disease should be always be carefully evaluated for such diseases, starting with a thorough clinical examination. The clinician should be familiar with endemic infectious diseases, but with increased movement of pets throughout the world, cats with non-endemic infections can present after travelling.