Is the AniCell dehydrated amniotic membrane (or any AniCell‑branded ocular product) appropriate for treating corneal or conjunctival disease in cats?

Medical Advisory BoardAll articles are reviewed for accuracy by our Medical Advisory Board
Educational purpose only • Exercise caution as content is pending human review
Article Review Status
Submitted
Under Review
Approved

Last updated: February 16, 2026 • View editorial policy

Personalize

Help us tailor your experience

Which best describes you? Your choice helps us use language that's most understandable for you.

AniCell Ocular Products in Cats

Based on available veterinary evidence, amniotic membrane transplantation (including dehydrated products) can be used successfully in cats for corneal reconstruction, particularly after keratectomy for corneal sequestrum, though careful case selection is critical to avoid complications.

Evidence for Amniotic Membrane Use in Feline Ophthalmology

Proven Applications in Cats

  • Corneal sequestrum treatment: Amniotic membrane transplantation after lamellar keratectomy resulted in excellent cosmesis and functional vision in 5 of 7 feline eyes (71% success rate), with minimal corneal scarring and good transparency during 3-9 month follow-up 1.

  • Case selection is paramount: Deep, non-vascularized sequestra are at high risk for complications including perforation and membrane rejection 1.

  • Bacterial contamination risk: One case with high bacterial contamination developed amniotic membrane necrosis at 2 weeks, followed by descemetocele formation at 3 months 1.

Commercial Amniotic Membrane Extract (AME) Products

  • Limited efficacy for superficial ulcers: A commercial AME product (EyeQ® Amniotic Eye Drops) did NOT accelerate corneal re-epithelialization or suppress MMP-9 expression in cats with experimentally induced superficial ulcerative keratitis 2.

  • Safety profile: The commercial AME was safe, with all corneas healing without scarring, pigmentation, or vascularization, though no therapeutic advantage over saline was demonstrated 2.

Alternative Biomaterial: ACell Vet™ (Porcine Urinary Bladder Submucosa)

  • Superior outcomes in cats: Corneal reconstruction with ACell Vet™ alone resulted in minimal scarring in the majority of feline cases, with better outcomes than in dogs 3.

  • Lower complication rate: Cats showed less pronounced scarring and lower graft dehiscence rates compared to dogs when using this porcine-derived biomaterial 3.

Critical Technical Considerations

Surgical Technique

  • Wound preparation: Thorough debridement and cleaning of the wound bed before membrane application is essential 4.

  • Application method: The membrane can be applied as "onlay" (over the defect) or "inlay" (into the defect) depending on lesion depth 4.

  • Adjunctive measures: Bandage contact lens and temporary tarsorrhaphy are recommended until graft vascularization or epithelialization occurs 3.

Contraindications and High-Risk Scenarios

  • Deep, non-vascularized lesions: These carry significant risk of perforation under the membrane 1.

  • Active bacterial infection: High bacterial contamination predisposes to membrane necrosis and graft failure 1.

  • Superficial ulcers: Commercial AME products show no advantage over standard care for simple superficial ulcerative keratitis 2.

Product-Specific Guidance

Dehydrated vs. Cryopreserved Products

  • Dehydrated products (like AniCell brand): Contain growth factors (TGF-β3, VEGF, PDGF, basic FGF) but lack living cells; easier storage but cost exceeds $2,000 per application 4.

  • Cryopreserved preparations: Contain living cells (mesenchymal stem cells, neonatal fibroblasts, epithelial cells) plus growth factors; require special storage at controlled temperatures 4.

Clinical Algorithm for Feline Ocular Surface Disease

For corneal sequestrum:

  1. Assess depth and vascularization of sequestrum
  2. If superficial-to-moderate depth with vascularization present → amniotic membrane transplantation is appropriate 1
  3. If deep and non-vascularized → consider alternative grafting techniques 1
  4. Ensure bacterial contamination is controlled before grafting 1

For superficial ulcerative keratitis:

  1. Standard care (topical antibiotics, lubrication) remains first-line 2
  2. Commercial AME products offer no proven advantage over conventional therapy 2
  3. Reserve amniotic membrane for refractory cases not responding to standard treatment 4

For severe corneal reconstruction:

  1. Consider ACell Vet™ as alternative to amniotic membrane in cats due to superior cosmetic outcomes 3
  2. Expect minimal scarring in majority of feline cases 3

Common Pitfalls to Avoid

  • Inappropriate case selection: Using amniotic membrane for deep, avascular lesions risks catastrophic perforation 1.

  • Inadequate infection control: Proceeding with grafting in presence of significant bacterial contamination leads to membrane necrosis 1.

  • Overuse in simple cases: Commercial AME products provide no benefit for straightforward superficial ulcers that respond to standard care 2.

  • Cost considerations: Dehydrated products cost over $2,000 per application; ensure clinical indication justifies expense 4.

References

4
Guideline

Use of Amniotic Membrane in Large Burns and Advanced Wound Healing

Praxis Medical Insights: Practical Summaries of Clinical Guidelines, 2026

Related Questions

When was amniotic membrane transplantation first used in humans to treat ocular surface disease?
Is low‑dose doxepin appropriate for chronic insomnia, and what are its dosing, contraindications, and monitoring requirements?
Are there any clinically significant drug interactions when a patient is taking clopidogrel, atorvastatin, metformin, pantoprazole, aceclofenac (NSAID), cloxacillin, and metronidazole together?
When self‑monitoring blood pressure at home, should the patient record the highest, lowest, or average reading?
Is colchicine indicated for the treatment of acute or chronic low back pain?
Is it appropriate to add low‑dose quetiapine (Seroquel 25 mg) at bedtime to a patient already taking mirtazapine (Remeron) for insomnia?
What is the correct method for patients, including older individuals or those with limited mobility or cognitive impairment, to self‑monitor blood pressure at home?

Professional Medical Disclaimer

This information is intended for healthcare professionals. Any medical decision-making should rely on clinical judgment and independently verified information. The content provided herein does not replace professional discretion and should be considered supplementary to established clinical guidelines. Healthcare providers should verify all information against primary literature and current practice standards before application in patient care. Dr.Oracle assumes no liability for clinical decisions based on this content.

Have a follow-up question?

Our Medical A.I. is used by practicing medical doctors at top research institutions around the world. Ask any follow up question and get world-class guideline-backed answers instantly.

Ask Question