How do you treat an eye condition in a mouse? - briefly
Apply a sterile ophthalmic antibiotic ointment twice daily while gently cleaning the ocular surface. If inflammation is pronounced, supplement with a prescribed systemic antibiotic and a non‑steroidal anti‑inflammatory drug.
How do you treat an eye condition in a mouse? - in detail
Treating ocular pathology in a laboratory mouse requires a systematic approach that includes diagnosis, selection of therapeutic modality, administration technique, and post‑treatment monitoring.
Accurate diagnosis begins with visual inspection under a stereomicroscope, followed by fluorescein staining to identify epithelial defects and slit‑lamp examination for deeper structures. If infection is suspected, collect ocular swabs for culture and PCR to determine bacterial, fungal, or viral agents. For inflammatory or autoimmune conditions, histopathology of enucleated tissue may be necessary.
Therapeutic options fall into three categories: antimicrobial agents, anti‑inflammatory drugs, and supportive care.
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Antimicrobials
- Topical broad‑spectrum antibiotic ointment (e.g., bacitracin‑neomycin) applied 2–3 times daily for bacterial keratitis.
- Fluoroquinolone eye drops (e.g., moxifloxacin 0.5 %) for gram‑negative infections, administered every 4 hours.
- Systemic antibiotics (e.g., enrofloxacin 10 mg/kg subcutaneously) for deep or systemic involvement.
- Antifungal drops (e.g., natamycin 5 %) for fungal keratitis, applied every 2 hours initially.
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Anti‑inflammatory agents
- Topical corticosteroid suspension (e.g., prednisolone acetate 1 %) for uveitis, dosing every 6 hours.
- Non‑steroidal anti‑inflammatory eye drops (e.g., diclofenac 0.1 %) when steroids are contraindicated.
- Systemic NSAIDs (e.g., meloxicam 1 mg/kg oral) to control pain and inflammation.
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Supportive care
- Lubricating ointments (e.g., hyaluronic acid 0.3 %) applied twice daily to maintain corneal moisture.
- Warm compresses for dacryoadenitis, applied for 5 minutes, 3 times per day.
- Protective eye shields to prevent self‑trauma in mice with corneal ulceration.
Administration technique is critical. Use a calibrated micropipette or calibrated dropper to deliver 1–2 µL of solution onto the ocular surface. Restrain the mouse with a soft cloth or a dedicated restrainer to avoid stress. Ensure the animal is fully awake; anesthetic agents can suppress blink reflex and alter drug distribution.
Post‑treatment monitoring includes daily clinical scoring of corneal opacity, ulcer size, and discharge. Document changes with photographic records. Adjust therapy based on response: reduce frequency of antimicrobials after 48 hours if infection resolves, taper corticosteroids over 7–10 days to prevent rebound inflammation. If no improvement occurs within 72 hours, reassess diagnosis and consider alternative agents or surgical intervention (e.g., corneal debridement).
Record all interventions in the animal’s health log, noting drug lot numbers, dosages, and observed adverse effects. This systematic protocol ensures effective management of mouse eye disease while adhering to veterinary standards and animal welfare regulations.