Symptoms and management of indolent corneal ulcers in dogs. Overview of some medical and surgical options - case study

Abstract

Indolent corneal ulcers are also known in the literature as chronic superficial erosions, recurrent epithelial erosions, superficial chronic corneal epithelial defects. The name itself underlines the recurrent, superficial and non-healing characteristics. The aim of this case report is to compare some of the medical and surgical management options available and their outcome upon corneal healing. The study was performed on dogs of different breeds and ages, presented in for ophthalmic examinations at the Surgical Clinic from the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine Iasi, Romania and private practices in Iasi. For this study, there were only taken into consideration dogs with chronic corneal ulcers that did not heal properly within 7-10 days after diagnosis and with clinical signs of loose epithelium around the margins of the lesions. Local medical treatment included the use of antibiotics, vitamins, hyaluronic acid and amino acids, artificial tears. Surgical options available were debridement, grid keratotomy and temporary tarsorrhaphy. Conclusions show that the evolution is longer if only local medication is applied. If owner complies and if overall health status of the patient allows a short, general anaesthesia, it is better to use the debridement and superficial keratotomy together, to allow new epithelium to attach to the anterior corneal stroma and the ulcer to heal faster