Acute Ocular Blindness Associated with Chronic Renal Failure and Canine Monocytic Ehrlichiosis in a Dog: A Case Report

Abstract

A 12-year old male poodle dog was present with a history of conjunctivitis. Three days later, the dog bumped into objects. Corneal edema and buphthalmos was found in the left eye. Acute blindness of both eyes was diagnosed from negative of all three reflexes (menace response, dazzle reflex and pupillary light reflex). Moderated conjunctivitis, panuveitis were found from ocular examination. Indolent ulcer in the left eyes and glaucoma were diagnosed from fluorescein staining and high intraocular pressure about 32 mmHg in the left eye respectively. Ocular ultrasonography found complete retinal detachment and vitreous hemorrhage. Beside ocular diseases, chronic renal failure stage 2, systemic hypertension about 300 mmHg, proteinuria and canine monocytic ehrlichiosis were concurrently diagnosed in this dog. The dog was prescribed medical treatment with tropical ocular medication, systemic medication for ehrlichiosis, blood pressure control and the management of proteinuria. As the treatment‘s result, systemic hypertension, intraocular pressure and certain ocular lesion were improved. However, the dog could not be regained vision afterward.  In this case, complete retinal detachment causes acute blindness was suspected induce by systemic hypertension which is a complication of chronic renal failure and we believed canine monocytic ehrlichiosis played important role for develop chronic renal failure and ocular diseases in this dog.