Mikey recently came to see us after he developed a black spot on his right eye. Examination revealed a condition called a corneal sequestrum – a serious condition causing a type of ulcer on the eye globe. If left untreated, this could have lead to eye rupture and the removal of his eye.
Initial medication wasn’t successfull in resolving his condition so he was treated by gently cutting out the dead corneal tissue and his third eyelid was pulled over and stitched to his upper eyelid to act as a kind of bandage.
After a 10 days this was removed. The eye looked great and the cornea appeared to have healed, but unfortunately a few days later the ulcer had returned.Mikey then underwent a delicate procedure where a graft of tissue from the edge of the eye was sutured directly onto the eye globe – called a conjunctival pedicle graft.
This is Mikey’s eye with the conjuntiva sutured directly onto the cornea, around the edges of the ulcer using very fine sutures aided by special magnification eyewear to help us place the sutures correctly.
This graft was due to stay in for six to eight weeks, but alas a few days ago Mikey managed to scratch his eye & pull the graft off! Fortunately we were able to operate again and place another graft. This will stay on for a minimum of 8 weeks, whereafter we will remove it. Despite Mikey’s travails, in the long-term we expect his vision to be unaffected.
Needless to say, owners Anita & Hannah are very relieved to have a really good pet insurance policy that will cover all the costs of Mikey’s treatment, which have cost a few thousand pounds.
Notes from Mikey’s owners Anita and Hannah:
Hi ,
Mike was born on the 16th October 2001 and is a blue colour point Persian. Sadly, his brother Rory passed away in March this year. Where Mike is a very placid cat Rory was up to mischief all the time. About 6 weeks ago I noticed a black dot on Mike’s eye. After one week it started to bother him, so I took him to see the vet. It turned out to be a form of ulcer, which was very serious.
After his second operation to put a graft on the eye, he has done very well. The graft has been a great success, and today (21st September) he has had his stitches out. We are pleased to say he was very good for this. He is due back on the 19th October to have the graft trimmed and then that is it, all done! Mr Sharratt has been very good with Mike, and I am very happy with the service that I have received, so I would like to say a big thank you to you all.
Anita & Hannah
