German Shepherd Keratitis
The Schäferhundkeratitis (syn. Chronic superficial keratitis , keratitis Überreiter ) is a particularly when German shepherd occurring and its intersections inflammatory disease of the cornea ( keratitis ), which is caused by an immune system disorder. The disease cannot be cured, but it can be controlled through lifelong treatment.
Cause and clinical picture
The exact mechanism of its origin is still unclear. It is a disorder of the immune system with increased activity and degranulation of mast cells . UV radiation and altitude increase the symptoms of the disease. The disease occurs primarily in German Shepherds and their crossbreeds, but Tervueren , Greyhounds , Huskies , Australian Shepherds and Border Collies can also be affected.
German Shepherd keratitis has an intermittent course with an acute and chronic phase. During an acute episode, new vessels form in the cornea and granulation tissue (pannus) forms. It usually begins at the transition from the white skin of the eye to the cornea in the corner of the eye on the temple side. As the disease progresses, it spreads to more and more areas of the cornea. In addition, there is an immigration of plasma cells into the nictitating membrane , which manifests itself in a thickening and a loss of edge pigmentation. In the chronic phase there is pigmentation of the superficial stroma of the cornea, which in the advanced stage can lead to loss of vision. Pannus is not seen at this stage. German Shepherd keratitis occurs on both sides, but can affect both eyes to different degrees.
Diagnosis and treatment
The condition can be diagnosed based on race and clinical picture. In particular, corneal defects that are already healing and keratoconjunctivitis sicca are to be distinguished .
German Shepherd keratitis is divided into three grades according to the extent of the affected corneal surface. In grade 1, only the area bordering the white skin of the eye ( limbus ) is affected, in grade 2 less than half and in grade 3 more than half of the cornea.
In the acute phase, eye drops containing glucocorticoids and locally ciclosporin are used several times a day . The latter is continued for life. Alternatively, pimecrolimus can be used. An injection of glucocorticoids under the conjunctiva can also be considered in the acute episode.
In the chronic course with extensive pigmentation, a superficial keratectomy can be performed. The irradiation with 90 Sr and low energy X-rays has a good effect even in advanced cases.
literature
- Susanne Voigt and Frauke von Krosigk: Superficial keratitis chronica - “Shepherd dog keratitis”, Überreiter keratitis - . In: Kleintiermedizin 4/2016, pp. 186–188.
Individual evidence
- ↑ First description by O. Überreiter: A special form of keratitis (superficial keratitis chronica) in dogs. In: Wiener Tieraerztl. Monthly 2, pp. 65-77 (1961).