Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Eye problems in dogs and cats hospitalized with tick paralysis
By Reynolds, B D et al.·Published in Australian veterinary journal·2024·Eye Clinic for Animals, United Kingdom·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Retrospective assessment of ophthalmic disease development in domestic dogs and cats when hospitalised with tick paralysis caused by Ixodes holocyclus.
Plain-English summary
A group of dogs and cats hospitalized for tick paralysis developed eye problems, including corneal ulcers and loss of the blink reflex. In dogs, about 22.5% experienced corneal ulcers, especially if they had an incomplete blink reflex, were hospitalized for more than three days, or had certain tick locations. For cats, around 10% developed corneal ulcers, primarily linked to an incomplete blink reflex and older age. The study highlighted that these eye issues were more common in pets with prolonged hospital stays and certain health factors. Treatment focused on managing tick paralysis, and addressing the eye problems as they arose was crucial for recovery.
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Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To investigate the incidence and predisposing factors leading to the development of corneal ulcers and the loss of a palpebral reflex in hospitalised canine and feline patients with tick paralysis (TP). ANIMALS STUDIED: A total of 102 dogs and 100 cats retrospectively were assessed from previously hospitalised patients. METHODS: A retrospective cohort study was performed on 102 different canine and 100 different feline patients who were hospitalised for TP from October 2020-January 2022. Patient data were collected, and logistic regression was conducted to determine factors affecting the palpebral reflex and the development of corneal ulcers. RESULTS: Corneal ulcers occurred in 23/102 (22.5%) dogs during hospitalisation and were strongly associated with an incomplete palpebral reflex ipsilaterally during hospitalisation (P < 0.001), hospitalisation ≥3 days (P = 0.004), mechanical ventilation ≥3 days (P = 0.015) or a tick location cranial to C1 (P = 0.003). An incomplete palpebral reflex during hospitalisation was observed in 29/102 (28.4%) dogs and was significantly associated with decreasing patient weight (P = 0.018), increasing days hospitalised (P = 0.001), having a tick found cranial to C1 (P = 0.004), highest recorded GP grade (P = 0.01), highest recorded RP grade (P = 0.005), use of amoxycillin-clavulanic acid during hospitalisation (P = 0.002) and use of piperacillin/tazobactam during hospitalisation (P = 0.003). There was a significant association between the loss of a complete palpebral reflex and mortality during hospitalisation in dogs (OR = 4.5, P = 0.029). Corneal ulcers occurred in 10/100 (10.0%) cats during hospitalisation, and was significantly more likely to occur to an eye if an incomplete palpebral reflex was observed ipsilaterally during hospitalisation (OR = 20.1, P < 0.0001) and with increasing patient age (P = 0.019). The absence of a complete palpebral reflex during hospitalisation was observed in 18/10 (18.0%) cats and was significantly associated with increasing days hospitalised (P = 0.034). There was no significant association between the loss of a complete palpebral reflex and mortality during hospitalisation in cats. CONCLUSIONS: The frequency of corneal ulcers and loss of palpebral reflexes were significant in dogs and cats hospitalised by TP, with many factors contributing to the risk of these developing.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38369322/