ExoticRx · exoticrx.com/drugs/rose-bengal-ophthalmic
US brand names:Rose Bengal 1%
Vital dye that stains devitalized epithelial cells and mucus. Detects early KCS (dry eye) and herpetic keratitis dendritic patterns.
Stings on application. More irritating than fluorescein. Use topical anesthetic first. Better for detecting devitalized cells vs fluorescein for ulcers.
Species references:All Cat (Domestic) drugsAll Dog (Domestic) drugs
Each ExoticRx dose rule is graded by the strength of its primary evidence — see the editorial process.
A dog/cat sample is shown here. Cited dosing for all 2 species — reptiles, birds, pocket pets, livestock, and equine — is free on the per-species pages above. Pro adds the weight-based calculator for every species.
| Species | Route | Dose | Frequency | Evidence | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dog (Domestic) | TOPICAL (ophthalmic) | Stains devitalized/dead cells and mucus | PRN (diagnostic) | Moderate | Verified against Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 10th Ed, p.1426 (2026-08-01). |
| Cat (Domestic) | TOPICAL (ophthalmic) | Helpful for FHV-1 detection — stains dendritic patterns of devitalized cells better than fluorescein | PRN (diagnostic) | Moderate | Verified against Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 10th Ed, p.1426 (2026-08-01). |
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