Comparison of postoperative phacoemulsification results in dogs with and without diabetes mellitus: 153 cases (1991-1992).

Author(s): Bagley LH 2nd, Lavach JD

Affiliation(s): Eye Clinic for Animals, Garden Grove, CA 92643.

Publication date & source: 1994-10-15, J Am Vet Med Assoc., 205(8):1165-9.

Publication type:

Data were collected from the medical records of 123 nondiabetic dogs (182 eyes) and 30 diabetic dogs (57 eyes) in which phacoemulsification surgery was performed. Pre- and postoperative comparisons, including signalment, initial ophthalmic examination findings, surgical variables, and postoperative findings for the short-term follow-up period (mean, 5.75 weeks), between nondiabetic and diabetic dogs revealed that the complication rate was not greater in the diabetic group. Postoperative uveitis was evident with nearly equal frequency (in nondiabetic dogs, 90% or 164 of 182 eyes and in diabetic dogs, 88% or 50 of 57 eyes). In nondiabetic dogs, 1% prednisolone ophthalmic solution and prednisone were administered pre- and postoperatively, and amoxicillin and dichlorphenamide postoperatively. In diabetic dogs, the same treatment regimen, except for treatment with flunixin meglumine IV at surgery and substitution of aspirin for prednisone, was used. When nondiabetic and diabetic dogs were treated according to their respective pre- and postoperative medical regimens, clinical differences in postoperative findings were not apparent.