Surgical management of ocular thelaziasis in a goat – A case study

Abstract

Thelaziasis is an infestation caused by the parasite Thelazia spp. which is transmitted by the intermediate host face fly (Musca autumnalis). A one-year-old male goat weighing 56 kg body weight was presented at the Sahidul Alam Quaderi Teaching Veterinary Hospital of CVASU with the history of corneal opacity, lacrimation, epiphora, partial blindness, blepharospasm, ocular discomfort and restlessness. During physical examination, one live adult worm was observed in the anterior chamber of right eye. Menace reflex for vision were partially positive. Other physical parameters like heart rate (82/min), respiratory rate (25/min), rectal temperature (102.4°F) and dehydration status were recorded. Further hematological and biochemical test of peripheral blood samples indicated slight elevation (14%) of eosinophil counts. Surgical removal of the worm was considered as the treatment option in this case. Sedation was achieved by injecting intravenously diazepam (@ 0.5 mg/kg body weight), while retrobulbar nerve was blocked by using 2% Lignocaine hydrochloride (Jasocaine®). In addition, propracaine hydrochloride (Procaine®) was used topically to control the eyeball movement. Following sedation, a sterile 10 ml syringe connected with 18-gauge needle was inserted through the limbus to aspirate the worm. With special maneuver, the worm was aspirated through the needle and syringe and later moved out along with the flow of aqueous humour. Following removal of eye worm, the animal was restrained for postoperative care. Further medication was prescribed that include Ivermectin (@ 0.2 mg/kg body weight subcutaneously) and topical application of civodex® eye drop (combination of ciprofloxacin and dexamethesone) for 10 days. Inaddition, antibiotic (streptopen®), antihistaminic (histavet®) and NSAID (dexavet®) were also prescribed for 7 days. The goat made a complete recovery with improved vision and relief from corneal opacity within 21 days following treatment. The study indicated a cost-effective and simple surgical intervention to treat ocular thelaziasis in goat with little complications and minimum post-operative care. To our knowledge, this might be the first case report of surgical management of ocular thelaziasis in goat in Bangladesh.