A Pilot Study to Evaluate the Usefulness of Optical Coherence Tomography for Staging Iris Pigmented Lesions in Cats.

This study investigated the utility of optical coherence tomography (OCT) for staging iris pigmented lesions in cats. Eighteen cats that underwent OCT examination for unilateral iris pigmented lesion were included. The cats were either suspected of melanosis due to clinical features (n = 8) or had been definitively diagnosed through histopathology with iris melanosis (n = 3), early feline diffuse iris melanoma (FDIM) (n = 4), or mid-stage or advanced FDIM (n = 3). From OCT images, mean iris thickness (MIT) was measured, and the ratio of pigmented lesion to normal iris (PN) was calculated. OCT images depicted the entire iris layer in all eyes with suspected melanosis, iris melanosis, and early FDIM, but observing the entire lesion in mid-stage/advanced FDIM was challenging. No significant difference in MIT was observed among the groups. Conversely, PN ratio was significantly higher (p < 0.05) in early FDIM (1.29 ± 0.16) than in suspected melanosis (1.02 ± 0.10) or iris melanosis (0.99 ± 0.09). Furthermore, OCT imaging revealed hyperreflective lines in 75% of eyes with suspected melanosis and in all the eyes with iris melanosis, corresponding to the pigmented lesions. Our results demonstrate that OCT is capable of detecting subtle differences in iris thickness and features in early-stage FDIM, indicating its potential utility in distinguishing between iris melanosis and early FDIM. Further study is warranted to verify the reliability of such OCT findings.

Bilateral cataract surgery in a Japanese macaque (Macaca fuscata): A case report.

A 7.5-year-old intact male Japanese macaque was presented for evaluation of vision loss. After a complete ophthalmic examination, the patient was diagnosed with hypermature cataract in both eyes. After the cataract surgery, it was able to locate food and walk in a straight line.

Efficacy of frozen autograft treated with liquid nitrogen in limb-sparing surgery in feline scapular osteosarcoma: A case report.

In recent years, a novel technique of limb preservation has been used in human medicine that involves frozen autograft treated with liquid nitrogen. In this case, frozen autograft treatment along with shoulder joint reconstruction was performed in an 11-year-old cat with osteosarcoma of the distal scapula. Surgical site infection, shoulder dislocation, local recurrence, and pulmonary metastases were not reported for 24 months after surgery. Moreover, the patient was able to bear weight on the operated limb after 2 months of surgery, and excellent limb function without lameness was demonstrated after 15 months. The frozen autograft technique is advantageous because it is inexpensive, simple, and retains its initial strength after treatment, and could be a novel treatment in feline osteosarcoma.

Comparison of ultrasound- and electrostimulation-guided nerve blocks of brachial plexus in dogs.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the effectiveness of ultrasound- and electrostimulation-guided nerve blocks of the brachial plexus and to determine whether ultrasound guidance is feasible in conscious dogs. STUDY DESIGN: Blinded, crossover, experimental study. ANIMALS: Six clinically healthy adult Beagle dogs. METHODS: The nerves of the brachial plexus of the right thoracic limb were blocked under ultrasound guidance (UNB) in conscious dogs and under electrostimulation guidance (ENB) in anesthetized dogs with bupivacaine (0.4 mL kg-1, 0.25%). Saline (0.4 mL kg-1) was injected in control animals. Sensory nerve blockade was evaluated by scoring cutaneous sensation in targeted nerves. Motor nerve blockade was evaluated based on weight bearing, conscious proprioception and withdrawal reflex scores. Times to execute the technique in UNB and ENB were compared using t tests (p < 0.05). Scores for sensory and motor nerve blockades in each treatment were compared with scores before treatment and with control treatment scores using nonparametric repeated-measures two-way analysis of variance. Time to onset and duration of sensory nerve block were assessed using scores for four sensory nerve functions. A successful sensory nerve block was defined by decreases in scores for these functions. Success rates of nerve blocks were compared among treatments using McNemar's test. RESULTS: In UNB and ENB, onset times of sensory nerve blocks were 1 hour and 1.5 hours, respectively. Onset times of motor nerve blocks were 0.5 hour in both treatments. In UNB and ENB, durations of sensory nerve block were 3 hours and 0.5 hour, respectively, and durations of motor nerve block were 7.5 hours and 6.5 hours, respectively. Success rates did not differ between the techniques. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: The UNB brachial plexus block had a shorter onset time and longer duration than ENB. UNB can be performed in conscious dogs or those under mild sedation.