Vol 7 (4) Apr’17

International Journal of Livestock Research eISSN : 2277-1964 NAAS Score -5.36

Case Report

Glaucoma in a Moggy Cat- A Case Report

D. J. Talukdar*, S. Ghorai, Moon Moon Haji, K. Sarma, G. Das and F. A. Ahmed

Teaching Veterinary Clinical Complex, College of Veterinary Sciences and Animal Husbandry,
Central Agricultural University, Selesih, Mizoram-796014, INDIA
*Corresponding author: dibya26@gmail.com

Rec. Date: Feb 08, 2017 17:46

Accept Date: Feb 25, 2017 04:03
Published Online: April 04, 2017
DOI 10.5455/ijlr.20170225040343

Abstract
A one year old moggy male cat was presented in the Teaching Veterinary Clinical Complex, College of
Veterinary Sciences and Animal Husbandry, Central Agricultural University, Mizoram, India with a
history of anorexia since last three days with aimless movement. On clinical examination the right eye of
the cat was found to be cloudy and blind with complete dilatation of pupil. The case was diagnosed as
glaucoma in the right eye. The cat was treated with mannitol, carbonic anhydrase inhibitor, β-blockers
and corticosteroid. The glaucoma recovered uneventfully within ten days.

Key words: Glaucoma, Cat, Therapy

How to cite: Talukdar, D., Ghorai, S., Haji, M., Sarma, K., Das, G., & Ahmed, F. (2017). Glaucoma in a
Moggy Cat- A Case Report. International Journal of Livestock Research, 7(4), 264-267.
http://dx.doi.org/10.5455/ijlr.20170225040343

Introduction
Glaucoma is typically associated with elevated intraocular pressure (IOP) resulting from impaired
aqueous humor outflow and leads to irreversible damage to the optic nerve and retina (Dubielzig et al.,
2010). Primary glaucoma is relatively common and has strong breed predilections in dogs but is rarely
diagnosed in cats. Secondary glaucoma is as frequent as primary glaucoma and constitutes 95% to 98% of
glaucoma cases in cats (Gillian and Leandro, 2015). They are usually secondary to an ocular or systemic
disorder that impairs aqueous humor outflow (uveitis, neoplasia, lens luxation, trauma). Glaucoma most
often affects middle-aged to older cats (Gillian and Leandro, 2015), although it can occur in kittens.
Congenital glaucoma is very rare (Sole et al., 2007). In the present case study the glaucoma is secondary
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in origin and is due to trauma.

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Hosted@www.ijlr.org DOI 10.5455/ijlr.20170225040343

 Vol 7 (4) Apr’17
International Journal of Livestock Research eISSN : 2277-1964 NAAS Score -5.36

Case History
A one year old moggy male cat was presented in the Teaching Veterinary Clinical Complex, College of
Veterinary Sciences and Animal husbandry, Central Agricultural University, Aizawl, Mizoram, India
with a history of not taking any food since last three days with aimless movement.

Clinical Examination
In clinical examination there was watery discharge, progressive uveitis in both eyes (Figure 1A). The
right eye became enlarged with complete dilatation of pupil, cloudiness and blindness which was
confirmed by putting hand in front of the eye. The left pupil was irregular shaped. Other clinical
parameters such as temperature (101.1º F), respiration (20 beats/ min) and pulse (90/ min) were within the
normal range. Further the case was diagnosed as glaucoma in the right eye.

Treatment
The case was treated with Mannitol @ 1g/kg body weight intravenously for 3days, Triamcinolone
acetonide @ 0.25 mg/kg body weight subcutaneously as a single dose, Prednisolone @1 mg/kg body
weight orally once a day and Dorzolamide @ one drop in each eye twice a day for two weeks.

Results and Discussion

Eyes with glaucoma require frequent monitoring and adjustment of medications. Over time, affected eyes
may become less responsive to topical medications. Changes in medications or an enucleation may be
needed, especially if the eye is blind and becoming larger (Lellan and Miller, 2011). However the present
case was controlled after seven days with medications and completely recovered after 10 days. The goals
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of the above therapy are to lower the pressure, save or maintain vision. Treatment of secondary glaucoma
involves administration of anti-glaucoma drugs and therapy for the underlying cause. Carbonic anhydrase,
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an enzyme present in the ciliary body epithelium, contributes to aqueous humor production. Carbonic

Hosted@www.ijlr.org DOI 10.5455/ijlr.20170225040343

 Vol 7 (4) Apr’17
International Journal of Livestock Research eISSN : 2277-1964 NAAS Score -5.36

anhydrase inhibitors (CAIs) can decrease aqueous humor production in cats by over 40% (Sole et al.,
2007). Dorzolamide 2% effectively lowers IOP when administered it might be considered a safe first-line
drug of choice for dogs and cats with glaucoma, regardless of cause (Rachida et al., 2012). The β-
blockers decrease IOP by reducing blood flow to the ciliary body, thereby decreasing aqueous humor
production (Lellan and Miller, 2011). β- blockers have limited use as a single agent since they only
modestly lower IOP in glaucomatous cats. While the β-blocker, timolol, may have significant additive
effects when combined with CAIs in cats (Wang et al., 1999).
In glaucoma case the mannitol is an important systemic agent for decreasing IOP in severe and refractory
glaucoma and should be used in emergency cases only. Mannitol increases the osmotic concentration of
blood per fusing the eye, causing a marked reduction in aqueous humor productionand vitreous volume
(Stadtbaumer et al., 2006). Vitreal “dehydration” directly decreases IOP and allows the intact lens to
move posteriorly, increasing outflow of aqueous humor and reducing papillary block. Topical
corticosteroid therapy is generally considered to be indicated for the management of chronic lympho
plasmacytic uveitis in cats (Maslanka, 2014). However, steroid induced ocular hypertension is an
important consideration both in the management of glaucomatous cats that have evidence of ocular
inflammation, and in the monitoring of cats with chronic uveitis that may receive long term topical
corticosteroid therapy (Lellan and Miller, 2011). As is the case in a subset of the human population,
normal cats treated with either topical dexamethasone or 1% prednisolone exhibit a significant increase in
IOP after about 2- 3weeks of treatment two or three times daily.

Conclusion
Glaucoma does not always respond to medications; the medications must be administered pain stakingly.
Prognosis for secondary glaucoma varies, depending on the cause. The present case was respond well to
medications, and the cat was recovered within ten days of post treatment.

References
1. Dubielzig RR, Ketring KL, McLellan GJ and Albert DM. 2010.Veterinary Ocular Pathology: A
Comparative Review. Vet. Ophthalmol., 12: 13–22.
2. Gillian JC and Leandro BCT. 2015. Feline glaucoma. In: Veterinary Clinics of North America: Small
Animal Practice. Elsevier Health Science, USA.
3. Lellan GJ and Miller PE. 2011. Feline glaucoma- A comprehensive review. Vet. Ophthalmol., 14 (1):
15-29.
4. Maslanka T. 2014. Autonomic drugs in the treatment of canine and feline glaucoma – Part I:
Medications that lower intraocular pressure by increasing the outflow of aqueous humour. Polish
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Journal of Veterinary Sciences, 17 (4): 741–752.

5. Rachida A, Bouhenni JD, Abby S and Deepak P. 2012. Animal Models of Glaucoma. Journal of
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International Journal of Livestock Research eISSN : 2277-1964 NAAS Score -5.36

6. Sole MJ, Sande PH, Bernades JM, Aba MA and Rosenstein RE. 2007. Circadian rhythm of intraocular
pressure in cats. Veterinary Ophthalmology, 10 (3): 155–161.
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size in the normal feline eye. Veterinary Ophthalmology, 9(4): 233–237.
8. Wang YL, Toris CB, Zhan G and Yablonski ME. 1999. Effects of topical epinephrine on aqueous
humor dynamics in the cat. Experimental Eye Research, 68(4): 439–445.

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Hosted@www.ijlr.org DOI 10.5455/ijlr.20170225040343