Causes, Diagnosis, and Prevention of Keratitis in Dogs

Keratitis

[Causes]

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

[Key Points of Diagnosis]

The main symptoms of acute keratitis are photophobia, lacrimation, pain, eyelid closure, and conjunctival hyperemia. When caused by trauma, the corneal surface is rough and uneven, and the cornea is cloudy; in some cases it is relatively mild, appearing only as a semi-transparent thin opacity, while in others it is thicker, appearing as an opaque white membrane, resulting in blindness in the affected dog. In cases with a longer course, hyperemia of the corneal periphery and neovascularization occur. In severe cases, corneal perforation can be caused.

A definitive diagnosis can basically be made based on the causes and clinical symptoms.

[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 a day, 1-2 drops each time. In severe cases, high-concentration eye drops can be used, such as 40,000 units/ml penicillin, 5% streptomycin, 40,000 units/ml polymyxin, instilled once every half hour. Or apply an antibiotic ointment.

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