title: Treatment of dematiaceous fungal keratitis in a dog.
abstract: METHODS
  A 9-year-old castrated male Bichon Frise was evaluated because of a 3-week history of a nonhealing corneal ulcer and corneal pigmentation of the left eye.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Ophthalmic examination of the left eye revealed conjunctival hyperemia, corneal neovascularization, corneal edema, corneal ulceration, and central corneal pigmentation. Intraocular structures of the left eye could not be visually examined because of the diffuse nature of the corneal lesions. The right eye had anterior cortical incipient cataracts, nuclear sclerosis, and an inactive chorioretinal scar.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Superficial lamellar keratectomy of the left eye was performed for both therapeutic and diagnostic purposes. Histologic evaluation of corneal biopsy specimens revealed dematiaceous fungal keratitis of the left eye, and topical administration of voriconazole was used to successfully resolve the keratitis. Seven months after diagnosis of dematiaceous fungal keratitis, the dog had no clinical signs or history of recurrence of the keratitis.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Dematiaceous fungal keratitis should be considered as a possible cause of nonhealing corneal ulceration with heavy pigment deposition in dogs. Results suggested that lamellar keratectomy along with topical administration of voriconazole can be used successfully to treat dematiaceous fungal keratitis in dogs.
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS 66506, USA. pucket@vet.k-state.edu
authors.forename: Jonathan D
authors.initials: JD
authors.lastname: Pucket
authors.forename: Rachel A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Allbaugh
authors.forename: Amy J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Rankin
mesh_terms: D000287:Administration, Topical; D000818:Animals; D000935:Antifungal Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003315:Cornea / Q000382:microbiology / Q000473:pathology; D003320:Corneal Ulcer / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000662:veterinary; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy*; D004285:Dogs; D015821:Eye Infections, Fungal / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000662:veterinary*; D007634:Keratitis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000662:veterinary*; D008297:Male; D011743:Pyrimidines / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014230:Triazoles / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D065819:Voriconazole
chemical_list: D000935:Antifungal Agents; D011743:Pyrimidines; D014230:Triazoles; D065819:Voriconazole