Clinical management of superficial complicated corneal ulcerations infected with newly identified fastidious bacteria with unknown antibiotic sensitivity in three horses

An article from the British Equine Veterinary Association.

Summary

This case series addresses a clinical approach to a specific type of infected corneal ulceration in horses; the slow‐healing superficial complicated corneal ulceration involving a fastidious or possibly newly identified bacteria for which no antibiotic sensitivity can be determined. These corneal ulcerations present as superficial, nonhealing lesions that appear infected based on cellular infiltration of the cornea. Because they are superficial, they do not appear to be as serious to the referral veterinarian as deep stromal corneal ulcerations. However, superficial corneal ulcerations are complicated and slow healing, ultimately frustrating both owners and primary care clinicians. Culture results are often negative, or implicate a newly identified bacteria with no known antimicrobial sensitivity in horses.