SURGICAL TREATMENT AND ANALYSIS OF CANINE PENETRATING CORNEAL TRAUMA DUE TO PLANT-DERIVED FOREIGN BODIES: A CASE REPORT

The objective of this study is to present a case of canine penetrating corneal trauma caused by plant-derived foreign bodies, successfully treated with keratotomy. A 2-yearold female Border Collie presented with two corneal foreign bodies, conjunctival congestion, blepharospasm, and a small amount of serous discharge in the left eye. Keratotomy was performed to remove the foreign bodies from the cornea. During the procedure, one foreign body was observed to have penetrated the anterior chamber. Following removal, the anterior chamber was irrigated, and the cornea was sutured. Postoperative treatment included both topical and systemic medications. Examination confirmed that the foreign bodies were plant-derived. Postoperative assessments at 2 and 4 weeks showed a reduction in corneal edema, formation of limbal neovascularization, decreased conjunctival congestion, resolution of blepharospasm, and absence of ocular discharge. The 5-month postoperative follow-up demonstrated normal corneal clarity and physiological function, a clear anterior chamber, and normal vision. Keratotomy has been demonstrated to be an effective intervention for corneal foreign bodies, allowing thorough removal of fragile and deeply embedded materials. Postoperative medications effectively prevented infections and promoted corneal healing. This case report provides valuable insights into the diagnosis and management of canine penetrating corneal trauma caused by plant-derived foreign bodies. Kirurško zdravljenje in analiza penetrirajoče poškodbe roženice pri psih zaradi tujkov rastlinskega izvora: poročilo o primeru Izvleček: Namen te študije je bil predstaviti primer penetrirajoče poškodbe roženice pri psu, ki so jo povzročili tujki rastlinskega izvora in je bila uspešno zdravljena s keratotomijo. Dveletna psička pasme border collie je imela v roženici dva tujka, kongestijo veznice, blefarospazem in majhno količino seroznega izcedka v levem očesu. Opravljena je bila keratotomija za odstranitev tujkov iz roženice. Med postopkom je bilo ugotovljeno, da je en tujek prodrl v prednjo komoro. Po odstranitvi je bila prednja očesna komora sprana, roženica pa zašita. Pooperativno zdravljenje je vključevalo lokalna in sistemska zdravila. Pregled je potrdil, da so bili vzrok tujki rastlinskega izvora. Pooperativne ocene po 2 in 4 tednih so pokazale zmanjšanje edema roženice, nastanek limbalnih neovaskularizacij, zmanjšanje kongestije veznic, odpravo blefarospazma in odsotnost očesnega izcedka. Petmesečno pooperativno spremljanje je pokazalo normalno prosojnost roženice in fiziološko delovanje, čisto prednjo komoro in normalen vid. Keratotomija se je izkazala za učinkovit poseg pri zdravljenju roženičnih tujkov, saj omogoča temeljito odstranitev krhkih in globoko zagozdenih tujkov. Pooperativna zdravila so učinkovito preprečevala okužbe in spodbujala celjenje roženice. To poročilo o primeru zagotavlja dragocen vpogled v diagnostiko in zdravljenje penetrirajoče poškodbe roženice pri psih, ki jo povzročijo tujki rastlinskega izvora. Ključne besede: psi; tujek rastlinskega izvora; penetrirajoča poškodba roženice; keratotomija; odstranitev tujka; sanacija roženice