Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Blindness and retinal damage in two dogs from ivermectin poisoning
By Kenny, Patrick J et al.·Published in Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association·2008·William R. Pritchard Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital, United States·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Retinopathy associated with ivermectin toxicosis in two dogs.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
Two dogs suddenly went blind and were brought to the vet for help. Both dogs showed signs of eye problems, including dilated pupils and decreased response to light. It turned out that one dog had likely ingested ivermectin, a medication used for treating parasites, while the other had been treated with it for mange. After stopping the ivermectin exposure, both dogs fully recovered, with their eyesight improving and the swelling in their eyes going down, although some scarring remained.
People also search for: dog sudden blindness · ivermectin toxicity in dogs · dog eye problems treatment
Abstract
CASE DESCRIPTION: 2 dogs (dogs 1 and 2) were examined for sudden onset of blindness. Both dogs had mild obtundation and mydriasis in both eyes. It was thought that dog 1 may have ingested ivermectin; dog 2 had been treated with ivermectin for demodectic mange. CLINICAL FINDINGS: On initial examination, both dogs had mydriasis and decreased pupillary light reflexes in both eyes. Dog 1 had an absent menace response bilaterally. Fundic examination of both eyes in both dogs revealed regions of multifocal retinal edema and folds with low-lying retinal separation. The electroretinogram was extinguished in dog 1 and attenuated in dog 2. Ivermectin was detected in serum samples from both dogs. TREATMENT AND OUTCOME: Both dogs made a complete clinical recovery following cessation of exposure to ivermectin; electroretinographic findings improved, and retinal edema resolved with some residual chorioretinal scarring. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: To our knowledge, this is the first report of resolution of retinal edema and electroretinographic changes associated with ivermectin toxicosis in dogs. In dogs that develop blindness suddenly, fundic examination, electroretinography, and assessment of serum ivermectin concentration are diagnostically useful, even if exposure to ivermectin is unknown.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18627233/