Objective: To describe the ocular findings in dogs and cats after chemical injury by the Bronze Orange Bug (Musgraveia sulciventris), which is endemic to eastern Australia in Queensland and New South Wales.
Animals studied: Medical records were reviewed for the keywords "stink bug" between February 2013 and January 2023. Signalment, clinical signs, month at presentation, and affected eye(s) were recorded. Cases were divided into confirmed and suspected cases.
Results: Twenty-four confirmed and nine suspected cases were identified, consisting of 26 dogs and seven cats. There were 19 females (57.6%) and 14 males (42.4%). Median age at presentation was 1.9 (range 0.16-12.5) years, with a median weight of 6.1 (range 1.3-25) kilograms. All cases presented between August and May, with the majority (75.7%) presenting in summer. This correlates with the breeding life cycle of the Bronze Orange Bug. Unilateral presentation was more common (97%; n = 32) than bilateral (3%; n = 1) with an increased incidence of left eyes (60.6%; n = 20) compared to right eyes (36.4%; n = 12). Presenting signs included acute onset blepharospasm (100%), superficial corneal ulceration (90.9%), conjunctival hyperemia (87.8%), chemosis (60.6%), periocular swelling (51.5%), conjunctival ulceration (39.4%), third eyelid protrusion (39.4%), miosis (36.4%), corneal edema (36.4%), and aqueous flare (24.2%). The median time to resolution of clinical signs was 13 days.
Conclusions: The Bronze Orange Bug's defensive secretion causes acute onset ocular irritation consistent with acidic chemical burns in dogs and cats. Bronze Orange Bug exposure should be considered as a differential diagnosis in endemic areas, particularly during the summer months.
Keywords: Australian insect; acidic chemical burn; chemosis; conjunctival ulceration; stink bug; superficial corneal ulceration.
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