Saint Mark, [05 Jan 2024 at 17:43:18]: So, I have this case of a young rescue giraffe that’s had an eye injury and I need your inputs on best management. Firstly, I had a challenge with restraint as the drugs at our disposal are ketamine and xylazine only. It’s about 1.5m high so I’m thinking of doing a manual restraint. The main issue is that it damaged an eye during transport – this incident happened about a week now. There’s damage to the eye with probably stroma extruding with pus. It’s hitherto been managed with gentamicin eye drops (🙈). I’m thinking of cleaning and doing a temporary tarsorrhaphy but would appreciate your inputs. Thanks so much. Gary Bauer, [05 Jan 2024 at 17:57:00]: Afternoon Mark. That appears to be a melting corneal ulcer - centre of cornea with keratomalacia and possible rupture. I know I'm going to get shot down here but the antiquated techniques of temporary lid closure and nictitans flaps are almost regarded as malpractice in ophthalmology circles (certainly in domestic/ small animals). The problems are both procedures cause increased pressure on the globe and once done, no assessments of the globe can be made until it is opened up again. If corneal salvage surgery is not possible or feasible in this case, I would recommend a sub-palpebral lavage system be instilled so that 3 to 4 x daily flushing can be done with appropriate antibiotics / antifungals based on culture and sensitivity results. I would also use some sort of anti-collagenase treatment (eg autogenous serum) and mydriatic for cycloplegia. Again, I am sticking my neck out, but these lesions are seen more than we would like to admit with animals that are blindfolded during immobilisation or transport (Not saying it was the case in this giraffe). I have unfortunately consulted and done dire straits surgery on a number of rhino with blindfold/desiccation/abrasion induced lesions presented exactly as your case demonstrates. Please feel free to consult me directly should you require any further assistance / information. Saint Mark, [05 Jan 2024 at 18:02:10]: Thanks so much for this. Now another aspect to this is that I had to travel about 500k to this animal and I won’t have the luxury of daily care. It’s why I reckoned to do a temporary closure and then revisit in about 3 weeks to one month to re-evaluate. The injury was a result of poor transport facilities. It has other minor wounds and bruises on the face and body
