Fresh preserved canine amniotic membrane (CAM ) as graft for surgical management of melting corneal ulcer/ keratomalacia in a dog

Abstract

A four-year-old female Spitz with signs of blepharospasm, ocular discolouration, corneal oedema, gelatinisation of cornea and epiphora from the right eye, for 20 days was presented at Teaching Veterinary Clinical Complex, Pookode. Fluorescein dye test (FDT) revealed intense staining of the cornea. The condition was diagnosed as keratomalacia. Under general anaesthesia, fresh preserved canine amniotic membrane (CAM) transplantation was performed along with a third eyelid flap. Antibiotic eye drops and supportives were initiated. Monitoring of corneal healing was done on the 10th, 20th, 30th and 45thdays, post-surgery. FDT turned negative on day 20. Conjunctival hyperaemia, pannus, corneal opacity and oedema improved postoperatively, resulting in good corneal clarity, fundic reflection and normal vision by day 45. The present article reports the successful management of keratomalacia using CAM as graft.