Ophthalmic abnormalities secondary to periocular or ocular snakebite (pit vipers) in dogs--11 cases (2012-2014).
OBJECTIVE
To describe ophthalmic abnormalities secondary to periocular and ocular snakebite in dogs.


METHODS
Retrospective review of medical records from dogs presenting to the Small Animal Hospital at University of Florida following snakebites to the face (2012-2014). Two groups were identified: periocular bites (PB) and ocular bites (OB).


RESULTS
Records from eleven dogs matched the search criteria and were included in the study (PB=9, 81.8%; OB=2, 18.2%). Both OB cases involved the cornea. Facial edema, blepharospasm, chemosis, and conjunctival hyperemia occurred in all cases (100%). Hemorrhage from the eyelids occurred in eight cases (72.7%; PB=7, OB=1). Subconjunctival hemorrhage occurred in seven cases (63.6%; PB=6, OB=1). Third eyelid laceration and nictitans gland prolapse occurred in 1 case each (9%; PB=1). Lagophthalmia was present in three cases (27.3%; PB=3), with secondary corneal ulcer in two cases (18.2%; PB=2). Corneal ulcer due to direct corneal bite occurred in two cases (18.2%-partial thickness with melting (1) and full thickness (1) ). Uveitis was present in 6 cases (54.5%; PB=4, OB=2), with flare and miosis in 4 cases (36.4%; PB=2, OB=2). Hyphema, fibrin in anterior chamber, and cataract occurred in one case (9%; OB=1). Vision loss occurred in two cases (18.2%; PB=2), secondary to retinal degeneration (PB=1) and amaurosis (PB=1). Mean follow-up time was 7 weeks (range: 3 days-11 months). Most clinical signs had resolved by last examination.


CONCLUSIONS
Periocular symptoms were more commonly observed than ocular alterations, regardless of bite location. Appropriate supportive therapy should be instituted according to clinical signs.
Department of Small Animal Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Florida, 2015 SW 16th Ave, Gainesville, FL, 32610, USA.
Bianca C
BC
Martins
Department of Small Animal Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Florida, 2015 SW 16th Ave, Gainesville, FL, 32610, USA.
Caryn E
CE
Plummer
Department of Small Animal Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Florida, 2015 SW 16th Ave, Gainesville, FL, 32610, USA.
Kirk N
KN
Gelatt
Department of Small Animal Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Florida, 2015 SW 16th Ave, Gainesville, FL, 32610, USA.
Dennis E
DE
Brooks
Department of Small Animal Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Florida, 2015 SW 16th Ave, Gainesville, FL, 32610, USA.
Sarah E
SE
Czerwinski
Department of Small Animal Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Florida, 2015 SW 16th Ave, Gainesville, FL, 32610, USA.
Caroline
C
Monk
Department of Small Animal Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Florida, 2015 SW 16th Ave, Gainesville, FL, 32610, USA.
Shari M
SM
Greenberg
Department of Small Animal Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Florida, 2015 SW 16th Ave, Gainesville, FL, 32610, USA.
Brendan G
BG
Mangan
Department of Small Animal Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Florida, 2015 SW 16th Ave, Gainesville, FL, 32610, USA.
Leonel
L
Londoño
Department of Small Animal Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Florida, 2015 SW 16th Ave, Gainesville, FL, 32610, USA.
Luiz
L
Bolfer
Department of Small Animal Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Florida, 2015 SW 16th Ave, Gainesville, FL, 32610, USA.
Carsten
C
Bandt
Department of Small Animal Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Florida, 2015 SW 16th Ave, Gainesville, FL, 32610, USA.
Michael
M
Schaer
D000818:Animals; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology; D004285:Dogs; D005128:Eye Diseases / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology / Q000662:veterinary*; D005260:Female; D008297:Male; D012909:Snake Bites / Q000145:classification / Q000150:complications / Q000662:veterinary*; D017819:Viperidae
dog; envenomation; eye; ocular; pit viper; snakebite