title: Subconjunctival antimicrobial poloxamer gel for treatment of corneal ulceration in stranded California sea lions (Zalophus californianus).
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Corneal ulcers are commonly encountered in pinnipeds. Prolonged oral antibiotics and topical ophthalmic solutions may not be practical to administer, and novel treatment techniques are desired. Thermodynamic gels are a potential solution because they hold antimicrobials at the site of injection, slowly releasing drug. This study investigated the clinical efficacy of antibiotic-impregnated poloxamer gel in management of corneal ulceration.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twenty-six California sea lions undergoing rehabilitation at The Marine Mammal Center.
  
  
  METHODS
  A poloxamer gel mixed with 2% enrofloxacin was subconjunctivally injected in the treatment group. Control animals received oral doxycycline. Systemic anti-inflammatories and analgesics were administered as needed. Corneal examinations under general anesthesia were repeated weekly, and included sampling for bacterial culture and corneal cytology, collection of high-quality corneal images, and treatment administration until the ulcers were healed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There was no gross or histologic evidence of a localized tissue reaction to the gel administration in the conjunctiva, and no evidence of systemic reaction to therapy in animals that died due to unrelated causes during the study period (n = 17). In animals that experienced a superficial corneal ulcer involving only epithelium or superficial stroma (n = 12), all lesions resolved completely, in both treatment and control groups. Of those animals with deeper or more complex ulcers involving keratomalacia or descemetoceles (n = 15), four demonstrated complete lesion resolution (all four received gel treatment).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study demonstrates that subconjunctival antibiotic poloxamer gel administration is a safe and effective alternative therapeutic option to traditional treatments for superficial corneal ulceration in pinnipeds.
authors.affiliation: The Marine Mammal Center, Sausalito, CA, 94965, USA.|Office of Protected Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Silver Spring, MD, 20910, USA.
authors.forename: Claire A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Simeone
authors.affiliation: All Animal Eye Care, Jupiter, FL, 33458, USA.
authors.forename: Carmen M H
authors.initials: CMH
authors.lastname: Colitz
authors.affiliation: Zoological Pathology Program, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Brookfield, IL, 60513, USA.
authors.forename: Kathleen M
authors.initials: KM
authors.lastname: Colegrove
authors.affiliation: The Marine Mammal Center, Sausalito, CA, 94965, USA.
authors.forename: Cara L
authors.initials: CL
authors.lastname: Field
authors.affiliation: The Marine Mammal Center, Sausalito, CA, 94965, USA.
authors.forename: Carlos
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Rios
authors.affiliation: The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, 43210, USA.
authors.forename: Heather L
authors.initials: HL
authors.lastname: Chandler
authors.affiliation: The Marine Mammal Center, Sausalito, CA, 94965, USA.
authors.forename: Shawn P
authors.initials: SP
authors.lastname: Johnson
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D003320:Corneal Ulcer / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000662:veterinary*; D005782:Gels / Q000008:administration & dosage; D020442:Poloxamer / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D046070:Sea Lions
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D005782:Gels; D020442:Poloxamer
keywords: 
  Zalophus californianus
  ; California sea lion; corneal ulcer; marine mammal; poloxamer gel; subconjunctival injection