Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Melting corneal ulcers in dogs - bacteria and treatment results
By Tsvetanova, Agata et al.·Published in Veterinary ophthalmology·2021·Davies Veterinary Specialists, United Kingdom·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Melting corneal ulcers (keratomalacia) in dogs: A 5-year clinical and microbiological study (2014-2018).
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A 5-year-old Labrador was brought in for a melting corneal ulcer, which is a serious eye condition that can cause severe damage to the eye. The vet found that the most common bacteria causing this issue was Pseudomonas aeruginosa, which is known to be difficult to treat. Despite medical treatment and surgery for many dogs, some cases progressed to the point where the eye had to be removed. However, ulcers caused by a different bacteria, beta-hemolytic Streptococcus, healed well with treatment. This highlights the importance of testing for the specific bacteria to guide effective treatment.
People also search for: dog melting corneal ulcer treatment · Pseudomonas aeruginosa in dogs · dog eye problems surgery
Abstract
OBJECTIVES: To identify bacterial microorganisms associated with canine keratomalacia, review their antimicrobial sensitivity, and evaluate clinical outcomes compared to results of microbial culture. METHODS: Retrospective analysis of clinical records of dogs diagnosed with a melting corneal ulcer presented to a referral hospital in Hertfordshire, UK between 2014 and 2018. RESULTS: One hundred and ten melting corneal ulcers were sampled in 106 dogs. The most common pure bacterial isolate was Pseudomonas aeruginosa (n = 26) followed by β-hemolytic Streptococcus (n = 12). Melting corneal ulcers that cultured coagulase-positive Staphylococcus, coliform bacteria, Pasteurella multocida, Enterococcus, and Streptococcus viridans presented in smaller numbers and were analyzed together (n = 16). Multiple cultures were identified in nine cases (n = 9). Forty-seven cultures yielded no bacterial growth (n = 47). The susceptibility to fluoroquinolones remained high with the exception of β-hemolytic Streptococci. There was no significant difference in the ulcer severity at presentation in regard to the cultured bacteria. Overall, 63 eyes (57%) received surgical grafting in addition to medical treatment. In 14 cases (13%), the progression of corneal melting despite medical ± surgical treatment resulted in enucleation. Fifty-seven percent (8/14) of the enucleated eyes cultured pure Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolates. In contrast, all β-hemolytic Streptococcus-associated ulcers healed. CONCLUSIONS: The most common bacterial species associated with canine keratomalacia were Pseudomonas aeruginosa and β-hemolytic Streptococcus. Because of the variation in antibacterial sensitivity between these two species, bacterial culture and sensitivity testing should be performed in all dogs presenting with keratomalacia. Melting corneal ulcers associated with pure Pseudomonas infection were significantly more likely to result in globe loss than melting corneal ulcers associated with other cultures.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33794048/