Enrofloxacin associated retinal degeneration in cats – Review article

Abstract

Enrofloxacin is an antimicrobial of broad-spectrum of the group of fluorquinolones, with great use in medicine veterinary, and it is the the drug of choice in the treatment of diverse illnesses. Because its intense use in the cats and, associated to the change in the project of administration and dose, adverse reactions have been described for the first time. The retinal degeneration associate to the use of the enrofloxacin in cats is described as being acute effect, generally irreversible. It is characterized as mydriasis and posterior blindness. Ophthalmoscopic examination discloses diffuse degeneration of retina, evidenced by increase of reflectivity of the tapetal zone and retinal vascular attenuation. Although the exact mechanism of retinal degeneration induced by enrofloxacin is not yet clarified, it is suggested that there are some predisposing factors such as high dosages or high concentrations of the drug in plasma, rapid intravenous infusion of enrofloxacin, long periods of treatment, age, prolonged exposure to sunlight during treatment, drug interactions and accumulation of drugs due to changed or reduced metabolism. Thus, it is possible to reduce the chances of occurrence of damage to the retina feline by controlling these factors. Keywords: Fluorquinolones, retina, cat.