Liubov Solomakhina, Ph.D. of Veterinary Sciences, has confirmed the efficacy of treatment for keratitis, a common illness in spotted seals (largha seals).
With the onset of spring, many pinnipeds experience an exacerbation of an eye disease—keratitis. This condition can cause symptoms like ulcers and corneal opacities and may be considered a “familial disease” in seals, being frequently found in wild pinnipeds, too. Completely blind seals are not uncommon on rookeries. They forage in the sea using their whiskers, or vibrissae, which can feel water movements.
For Kant, an 11-year-old seal residing at a Marine Mammal Research Station, eye treatment is a familiar procedure. The signs of keratitis began to appear when he was just two years old, but the keepers working at the station have been helping him fight the disease. The seal receives medicated eye drops daily and shows absolutely no resistance to the procedure. Thanks to this treatment and care, the progression of the disease has been halted. However, with the arrival of spring, the sun becomes more intense and pathogenic bacteria in the sea water more active, which affects the animals’ eyes.
It was for this reason that Dr Liubov Solomakhina was invited to come to the facility. Solomakhina is Ph.D. of Veterinary Sciences, Principal Vet of the Voronezh Veterinary Hospital, and has a 23-year-long experience in treating eye disorders in animals. She brought specialized equipment with her and carried out a meticulous examination of Kant’s affected eye.
“I was impressed seeing how readily your animals interact,” said Liubov Solomakhina. “But what I like the most is the high-quality work of my colleagues here. Routine health check-ups allowed detecting health issues at an early stage and the treatment was initiated right away. What is even more important—the treatment was prescribed absolutely correctly. So, the professional and timely decisions made by the staff have virtually stopped the progression of the disease.”
The ophthalmologist provided the team of the Marine Mammal Research Station with all the necessary recommendations for continuing the therapy and shared new techniques for curing such conditions.
To prevent the development of eye disorders in spotted seals, a canopy was installed to shade their enclosure, as an additional measure to protect their eyes from the glaring sun.
“We not only treat Kant’s vision but we also strive to protect our other charges from eye diseases,” explained trainer Natalia Kuznetsova. Larghas always reciprocate the kindness of their caretakers, devotedly following them around like puppies and readily performing the required behaviors.
