Keratoconjunctivitis in drought horses in Basrah, Basrah-Iraq

Abstract EN

The objective of the present work was to investigate infectious kerato-conjunctivitis in drought horses in Basrah Province (Basrah-Iraq).

The study was conducted on (200) local drought horses (3-10) years old and of both sexes.

Animals were brought and examined at the consultant veterinary hospital-college of veterinary medicine-university of Basrah, during the period from July 2007 to June 2008.

Result revealed that out of (200) drought horses, (77) animals have been exhibited the clinical sings of keratoconjusnctivitis, with a prevalence rate of (38.5 %).

Diseased animals show sings of, sever conjunctival hyperemia, serious, mucoid and / or purulent ocular secretions, restless and anxiety, Presence of flies around the eyes, edematous eyes, Photophobia, Blepherospasim, rubbing eyes against hard objects, and corneal opacity.

Results were also indicated different causative agents which were responsible for the disease, either in the form of single or mixed infection.

Thelazia lacrymalis being the most important nematode detected, moreover Staphylococcus areus, E.

coli, Klebseilla spp, Streptococous spp., and pseudomonas arigenosa, were indicated as the main and common bacteria which were isolated from infected eyes of diseased drought horses, Furthermore yeast, Cladosporium cladosporoides, Candida albicans and Aspergillus niger were represent the fungal microorganisms isolated from infected eyes of diseased drought horses.

Flies which found congregated around infected eyes were diagnosed as Musca spp.