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- Chemical Cautery in Dogs

- Hair around the affected area will be shaved.
- Skin will be cleansed with an aseptic solution.
- Topical anesthetic cream proxymetacaine hydrochloride 0.5% will be applied to the prepped area.
- Chemical cauterants (6% aqueous iodine solution, pure trichloracetic acid and liquefied phenol 80% with 20% water dilution) will be carefully poured into a small container.
- A tiny pledget of cotton is grasped using a Halstead’s mosquito forceps. Tightly wound around the closed jaw forceps, the vet will dip the forceps into the cauterant solution.
- The cauterizing agent is carefully applied to the rim of the epithelium tissue and work towards the outward edge of the erosion.
- The cauterized area will become grey as the phenol precipitates proteins.
- After the cautery is complete, the eye is flushed with saline or sterile water.
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