Prevalence and Characteristics of Feline Ulcerative Keratitis and Corneal Sequestra in a Referral Population and Comparison Between Brachycephalic and Nonbrachycephalic Cats.

Brachycephalic cats have higher keratitis prevalence but different lesion locations and require different surgical approaches than nonbrachycephalic cats.

This retrospective comparative study examined 392 feline cases (290 ulcerative keratitis, 102 corneal sequestra) diagnosed between 2013-2022 to determine disease prevalence and characteristics between brachycephalic and nonbrachycephalic breeds. Brachycephalic cats demonstrated significantly higher UK prevalence (36% vs 15%, p<0.001) and CS prevalence. Notably, severe ulcers (grades 2-3) occurred equally in both groups. Brachycephalic cats presented with more central/paracentral lesions and less frequent corneal vascularization compared to nonbrachycephalics (UK: 57% vs 67%; CS: 52% vs 74%). Treatment patterns differed significantly, with brachycephalics requiring keratoplasty more frequently and nonbrachycephalics undergoing entropion surgery more often (p=0.002). Inferotemporal entropion was predominantly associated with UK/CS in nonbrachycephalics. These findings suggest breed-specific pathogenic mechanisms: brachycephalic predisposition may relate to conformation and exophthalmos rather than ulcer severity, while nonbrachycephalic disease associates more with entropion-related mechanical irritation.

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