Therapeutic management of bacterial conjunctivitis in dogs: A comparative clinical study

Abstract

Bacterial conjunctivitis is one of the most frequently encountered ophthalmic disorders in canine clinical practice and requires prompt antimicrobial intervention to prevent complications such as keratitis or corneal ulceration. The present study was undertaken to evaluate and compare the therapeutic efficacy and systemic safety of three topical antibiotic combinations in dogs suffering from culture-confirmed bacterial conjunctivitis. Eighteen dogs were selected irrespective of breeds, age and sex, which were randomly divided into three groups (n=6). Group I was treated with ciprofloxacin combined with flurbiprofen, Group II received moxifloxacin with flurbiprofen and Group III was administered tobramycin with flurbiprofen. All treatments were applied topically twice daily for seven consecutive days. Clinical signs, microbiological findings, Schirmer Tear Test values and haemato-biochemical parameters were assessed on day 0 and day 7. Gram-positive bacteria constituted 11(61.11%) of isolates, with Staphylococcus spp. (55.5%) being the predominant organism. Dogs in Group I exhibited significantly faster clinical recovery (5.50 days) compared to Group II (10.33 days) and Group III (9.33 days). A statistically significant improvement in tear production was observed in Group I (p