Acute ocular chemical injuries: recognition and treatment

摘要

Chemical injuries can occur in any species, but guard dogs and police dogs are at increased risk in the UK. The causative agent is less likely to be identified when criminal activities are involved, but for domestic accidents the owner should be askedto bring the chemical as well as the animal. Irrespective of the causal chemical the single most important action is immediate irrigation with readily available tap water. The recommended range for the pH of drinking water in the US and UK is 6.5 to 8.5. Drinking water in the UK is usually between seven (neutral) and eight (slightly alkaline). The immediate response to chemical injury often determines the final outcome.