Akut purulent konjunktivit hund
Conjunctival swelling and congestion with purulent discharge in a dog with conjunctivitis. Note that the palpebral, bulbar, and third eyelid conjunctiva, as well as the cornea, are inflamed. Conjunctivitis is an inflammation of the conjunctiva, a tissue that lines the eyelids and covers the sclerae. The conjunctiva is an exposed mucous membrane that reacts to antigenic stimulation caused by contact with noxious stimuli.
Conjunctivitis in Dogs: An Overview
The superficial stroma of the conjunctiva is rich in lymphatic tissue, both diffuse and aggregated. When aggregated "akut purulent konjunktivit hund" is stimulated, it forms lymphoid follicles, which produce effector cells. Conjunctival plasma cells produce specific immunoglobulins as part of the secretory component of the immune response. Most infections are caused by other diseases or disorders that trigger inflammation and may facilitate secondary, opportunistic bacterial infection.
Local hypersensitivity reactions can be caused by insect stings, which result in acute but usually unilateral signs. They can also be associated with topical ophthalmologic medications. Eyelash disorders eg, distichiasis, trichiasis, ectopic cilia and rubbing of the nasal folds against the conjunctiva. Other infectious micro-organisms, including viruses eg, distemper, canine herpesvirus 1protozoa Leishmania sppfungi Blastomyces dermatitidisand parasites eg, Thelazia spp, Onchocerca spp.
Affected dogs are typically presented with a history of red eye caused by conjunctival hyperemia and ocular discharge. Clients may notice swelling of the conjunctiva ie, chemosiswhich, in some cases, may also cause third-eyelid elevation.
Other than the eye sthe physical examination is unremarkable, unless conjunctivitis is a manifestation of a systemic disease eg, distemper, leishmaniasis or atopy. Figure 2 Conjunctival hyperemia caused by engorgement of conjunctival blood vessels in a dog with KCS. Note the vascular invasion of the superficial cornea. Hypertrophy of lymphoid follicles, particularly on the inner aspect of the third eyelid Figure 4.
Schirmer tear testing must be performed in every patient presented with conjunctivitis to diagnose or akut purulent konjunktivit hund out KCS. Possible qualitative tear disorders should not be ignored and should be ruled out by measuring tear film breakup time and carefully examining the meibomian glands for signs of meibomianitis. Eyelid conformation should be inspected carefully using magnification to rule out entropion or ectropion.
The ocular surface should be checked for irritating hair and eyelashes Figure 6 ; the inner eyelid surface should be inspected for ectopic cilia, and the conjunctival fornices and inner aspect of the third eyelid should be examined for foreign bodies. The patient should be evaluated for atopy, with particular attention paid to the eyelids, where dermal signs of atopy may be present.
Figure 6 Distichiasis in a dog red arrows. The eyelashes exiting through the orifices of the meibomian glands are a potential source of conjunctival irritation. A comprehensive systemic and ophthalmologic examination is indicated to rule out ocular manifestations of systemic diseases such as distemper or leishmaniasis. Other ophthalmologic diseases can result in conjunctival swelling but are not strictly defined as conjunctival inflammation.
These conditions should be considered as differential diagnoses and include:.
What is Mucopurulent Conjunctivitis?
Neutrophils are usually associated with acute bacterial or viral conjunctivitis, whereas plasma cells and lymphocytes characterize an immune-mediated response and more chronic cases. Occasionally, cytology may aid in the diagnosis of an allergic response indicated by the presence of eosinophils or an infectious agent such as Leishmania spp. Other histopathologic findings, including changes in goblet cell density, papillary hypertrophy, and formation of inflammatory membranes or pseudomembranes, can also indicate chronic conjunctivitis but do not help in establishing its cause.
Conjunctival biopsy may establish lymphoma, rather than conjunctivitis, as the cause of conjunctival swelling. Bacterial culture and susceptibility testing are not indicated in the initial diagnostic plan, as ocular discharge samples usually will yield overgrowth of gram-positive organisms that are part of the normal conjunctival microbiota. Such testing should be considered only in later stages, if no primary cause is identified and the infection does not respond akut purulent konjunktivit hund treatment.
In most cases, the key to successful treatment is correctly diagnosing and addressing the primary cause.
Diagnosis & Treatment of Keratoconjunctivitis Sicca in Dogs
Tear production should be increased and stabilized in KCS patients via administration of lacrimomimetic and lacrimogenic agents. Once the primary disease has been successfully treated, any residual conjunctival inflammation or infection usually responds to topical glucocorticoids and topical broad-spectrum antibiotics. Persistent hypertrophy of the conjunctival lymphatic follicles is common and can cause local irritation and discomfort, even after conjunctivitis has been treated successfully.
Irritation may resolve with saline irrigation and supportive treatment with topical dexamethasone. Alternatively, the follicles may be debrided using dry gauze or the blunt end of a scalpel blade. If the patient does not respond to treatment or conjunctivitis recurs, the initial diagnosis, rather than the treatment choice, should be re-evaluated. For example, distemper and leishmaniasis manifest as systemic diseases; eyelid and eyelash disorders and dry eye akut purulent konjunktivit hund also affect the cornea and cause keratitis or corneal ulceration.
Because of the proximity of the conjunctiva to the cornea, infectious conjunctivitis may spread to the cornea, resulting in keratoconjunctivitis and possible corneal ulceration. Editor's note: This article was originally published in April as "Conjunctivitis in Dogs". Trending Proteinuria.