How can I treat eye problems in mice? - briefly
Use topical ophthalmic antibiotics, antifungals, or lubricating drops to control infection and dryness; apply warm compresses for corneal lesions. Add systemic antibiotics, anti‑inflammatory agents, and supportive care for severe or systemic involvement.
How can I treat eye problems in mice? - in detail
Treating ocular disorders in laboratory mice requires accurate diagnosis, appropriate pharmacologic or surgical intervention, and diligent husbandry practices.
Initial assessment should include visual inspection under magnification, fluorescein staining to detect corneal defects, and slit‑lamp examination when available. Microbial cultures from conjunctival swabs guide antibiotic selection for infectious conjunctivitis or keratitis.
Pharmacologic measures
- Topical broad‑spectrum antibiotics (e.g., gentamicin 0.3 % ophthalmic solution) applied every 4–6 hours for bacterial ulcers.
- Fluoroquinolone drops (e.g., ofloxacin 0.3 %) for gram‑negative infections.
- Antifungal agents (e.g., natamycin 5 %) when fungal keratitis is confirmed.
- Topical corticosteroids (e.g., dexamethasone 0.1 %) for inflammatory conditions, used only after infection is ruled out and for a limited duration.
- Non‑steroidal anti‑inflammatory eye drops (e.g., ketorolac 0.5 %) to reduce pain and edema.
Systemic therapy
- Oral or subcutaneous antibiotics (e.g., enrofloxacin 10 mg/kg) for deep or recurrent infections.
- Analgesics such as buprenorphine (0.05 mg/kg subcutaneously) to alleviate discomfort.
Surgical options
- Corneal debridement or superficial keratectomy for persistent ulcers.
- Intracameral injection of antibiotics in severe endophthalmitis.
- Enucleation under general anesthesia for irreversible damage or when pain cannot be managed medically.
Supportive husbandry
- Maintain ambient humidity at 50–60 % to prevent corneal drying.
- Provide softened bedding and ensure cages are free of abrasive materials.
- Use sterile saline drops to keep the ocular surface moist during recovery.
- Monitor body weight, grooming behavior, and ocular appearance daily; record findings in the animal health log.
Preventive strategies
- Implement routine eye examinations during health checks.
- Apply prophylactic topical antibiotics after procedures that risk ocular trauma.
- Quarantine new arrivals and test for common pathogens (e.g., Staphylococcus spp., Pseudomonas spp.) before integration.
When treatment fails or disease progresses despite intervention, consult a veterinary ophthalmologist and consider humane euthanasia in accordance with institutional animal welfare guidelines.