In vivo effects of adjunctive tetracycline treatment on refractory corneal ulcers in dogs.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate effect of adjunctive treatment with tetracycline analogues on time to complete corneal reepithelialization in dogs with nonhealing (ie, refractory) corneal ulcers.


METHODS
Randomized controlled clinical trial.


METHODS
89 dogs with refractory corneal ulcers.


METHODS
Corneal ulcers were treated via debridement and grid keratotomy. Dogs were assigned to receive 1 of 3 treatment regimens for up to 6 weeks: doxycycline (5 mg/kg [2.27 mg/lb], PO, q 12 h) with topically applied ophthalmic ointment containing neomycin, polymyxin B, and bacitracin (ie, triple antibiotic ointment; q 8 h); cephalexin (22 mg/kg [10 mg/lb], PO, q 12 h) with topically applied oxytetracycline ophthalmic ointment (q 8 h); or a control treatment of cephalexin (22 mg/kg, PO, q 12 h) with topically applied triple antibiotic ointment (q 8 h). Healing was monitored via measurements of the wound with calipers and evaluation of photographs obtained every 2 weeks. Treatment effectiveness was evaluated by wound healing and decreased signs of pain.


RESULTS
The Boxer breed was overrepresented in all groups. At the 2-week time point, wound healing was significantly more common in small-breed dogs, compared with large-breed dogs. Dogs treated with oxytetracycline ophthalmic ointment had a significantly shorter healing time than did dogs receiving the control treatment. Corneal ulcers in dogs that received doxycycline PO healed more rapidly than did ulcers in dogs in the control treatment group; however, this difference was not significant.


CONCLUSIONS
Topical tetracycline ophthalmic ointment was a safe, inexpensive, and effective adjunctive treatment for refractory corneal ulcers in dogs.
Chandler
Heather L
HL
College of Optometry, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA. chandler.111@osu.edu
Gemensky-Metzler
Anne J
AJ
Bras
I Dineli
ID
Robbin-Webb
Terah E
TE
Saville
William J A
WJ
Colitz
Carmen M H
CM
D000287:Administration, Topical; D000818:Animals; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002506:Cephalexin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003320:Corneal Ulcer / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000662:veterinary*; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy*; D004285:Dogs; D004318:Doxycycline / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004333:Drug Administration Routes; D005260:Female; D008297:Male; D010118:Oxytetracycline / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D004318:Doxycycline; D002506:Cephalexin; D010118:Oxytetracycline