Common Symptoms and Treatment Methods of Keratitis in Dogs

[Etiology]

Keratitis in dogs is usually caused by trauma or foreign bodies, and can also occur in certain infectious and parasitic diseases.

[Key Points of Diagnosis]

The main symptoms of acute keratitis are photophobia, lacrimation, pain, blepharospasm, and conjunctival hyperemia. When caused by trauma, the corneal surface is rough and uneven, with corneal opacity; some cases are relatively mild, showing only a layer of translucent thin nebula, while others are thicker, appearing as an opaque white membrane, and the affected dog thereby becomes blind. Cases with a longer course of disease develop corneal peripheral hyperemia and neovascularization. In severe cases, corneal perforation may occur.

Based on the etiology and clinical symptoms, a diagnosis can basically be confirmed.

[Treatment]

(1) Control or prevent corneal infection: after cleaning the affected eye, apply low-concentration antibiotic eye drops, such as 0.5-1% streptomycin, 0.25% chloramphenicol, 0.5% tetracycline, 0.5-1% neomycin, etc., instilling into the eye 4-6 times daily, 1-2 drops each time. For severe cases, high-concentration eye drops may be used, such as 40,000 units/ml penicillin, 5% streptomycin, 40,000 units/ml polymyxin, instilled once every half hour. Or apply antibiotic ointment.

(2) Promote absorption of corneal nebula: 1-2% dionine or 1% white precipitate mercury or yellow precipitate mercury eye ointment may be used, or calomel powder may be sprinkled on.