Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Treatment of fungal eye infection in a female bottlenose dolphin
By Simeone, Claire A et al.·Published in Veterinary ophthalmology·2018·National Marine Mammal Foundation, United States·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Clinical management of Candida albicans keratomycosis in a bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus).
- Species:
- wildlife
Plain-English summary
An 11-year-old female bottlenose dolphin was brought in with cloudy eyes due to a fungal infection called keratomycosis, which developed after corneal trauma. The veterinary team used a combination of treatments, including injections of stem cells from fat tissue, antifungal and antibiotic medications, and pain relief. They also performed nerve blocks to help assess the dolphin's eyes. After 52 days of injections and 5 months of topical treatments, the dolphin showed significant improvement, with only minor remaining eye issues.
People also search for: dolphin eye infection treatment · bottlenose dolphin corneal trauma · Candida albicans in marine mammals
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: Corneal ulceration secondary to trauma commonly affects marine mammals, often with opportunistic secondary bacterial or fungal infections. This report characterizes the combined use of auriculopalpebral and ophthalmic nerve blocks, adipose-derived stem cells, and subconjunctival injections for successful treatment of corneal trauma and infection in dolphins. ANIMAL STUDIED: An 11-year-old, female bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus) presented with bilateral diffuse corneal opacities, which progressed to keratomycosis caused by Candida albicans. PROCEDURE: Aggressive medical management was employed, including the use of subconjunctival injections of adipose-derived stem cells, plasma, topical and oral antifungals and antibiotics, and anti-inflammatory and pain medications. Anesthetic block of the auriculopalpebral and ophthalmic nerves was employed to evaluate the corneas. CONCLUSION: Subconjunctival injections were employed over 52 days, followed by topical drops for 5 months. At last evaluation, there was no evidence of blepharospasm bilaterally. Only a faint superficial gray corneal opacity remained OS. A temporal paraxial corneal opacity was present OD, with receding inactive vascularization and a small amount of melanosis temporally.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28074638/