Studies on eye affections among healty camels and camels with ulcus cornea: Bacteriological studies and treatment outcome

Objective: This study was carried out with the aim of evaluating the microbiological examinations and treatment results in healthy camels with ulcus cornea. Material and Methods: As a result of the visits to the camel farms in İncirliova district, which were brought to Aydın Adnan Menderes University Veterinary Faculty Surgery Department Large Animal Clinics, 10 healthy camels of different ages, weights and genders and 20 healthy camels were recorded. After the camels were restrained, their eyelids were carefully wiped with dry cellulose paper and separated. Then, a sample was taken from the lower conjunctival sac with sterile cotton swabs. Sterile swabs were placed in a container containing the medium. Swap samples taken in accordance with the technique were sent to the relevant unit under appropriate conditions. Results: According to the anamnesis information obtained, the symptoms of the patients and the cause of the clinical symptoms were determined. Wrestling-related trauma was at the top of the etiological factors. In the inspection, the general conditions of the animals and the symptoms in the eyes were evaluated. Severe blepharospasm, epiphora, conjunctivitis, conjunctival edema, increased corneal opacity, mucopurulent discharge, conjunctival hyperemia, photophobia and iris prolapse were found in the patients. Epiphora in 9 of the cases; blepharospasm in 8; 6 had conjunctival hyperemia, increased corneal opacity, conjunctivitis and photophobia; conjunctival edema and vascularization in 4; Mucopurulent discharge was encountered in 1 patient and iris prolapse in 1 patient. As seen in other animal species, it was concluded that the clinical signs of ulcus cornea cases were similar in camels. Deep ulcus cornea was detected in 40% and superficial ulcus cornea in 60% of the sick camels. Normal microbial flora for 20 healthy camels used in our study; It was aimed to investigate the bacteria causing the disease for 10 camels with ulcus corneas. For this reason, samples were collected by using medium swab without applying any drug, for a total of 30 camels, right and left eyes. The collected samples were sent to the relevant units in accordance with the storage conditions. In normal ocular flora, Corynebacterium spp., Coagulase Positive Staphilococcus, Bacillus spp., Coagulase Negative Staphilococcus and Moraxella spp. Bacterial species such as the most common bacterial species obtained from samples collected from camels with ulcus cornea was Coagulase Negative Staphilococcus. A specific species, Plesiomonas Shigelloides, was identified in 1 camel. In addition, Candida spp., a type of fungus, was found in 1 camel defined. Conclusion: As a result, it is hoped that the results obtained by isolating and identifying the eye microflora of healthy camels in our region, as well as pathogenic microorganisms, will contribute to professional practice. Keywords: Bacterial identification, cornea, dromedary camel, microbial flora, ulcus cornea.