Bar Fruchter

1 Introduction Bacterial keratitis is a vision- and globe-threatening disease in dogs characterized by corneal epithelial disruption and colonization by opportunistic pathogens, primarily Staphylococcus pseudintermedius, Streptococcus species, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (Tolar et al. 2006; Hewitt et al. 2020; Casemiro et al. 2025). Prompt antimicrobial therapy is essential to prevent complications such as keratomalacia or perforation (Ollivier 2003).

1 Introduction The corneal endothelium is a monolayer of hexagonal cells lining the posterior surface of the cornea, essential for preserving corneal transparency and overall ocular health [1]. Acting as a semi-permeable barrier, this layer regulates fluid homeostasis and nutrient transport by pumping ions and metabolites between the aqueous humor and corneal stroma [2].

1 Introduction Haws syndrome (HS) is a relatively common condition in cats characterized by bilateral protrusion of the nictitating membrane (third eyelid) and ptosis (droopy upper eyelid), often accompanied by gastrointestinal (GI) disturbances such as diarrhea [1].