Breed distribution of spontaneous chronic corneal epithelial defects in UK dogs.

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to assess the risk of bilateral disease in dogs affected by spontaneous chronic corneal epithelial defects (SCCEDs) and identify any recent changes in the distribution of breeds affected. METHODS: Medical records of dogs assessed at a single ophthalmic centre for the management of SCCEDs between 2007 and 2020 were reviewed, and clinical data were extracted. RESULTS: Three hundred and seven dogs met the inclusion criteria. Boxers (129 dogs), Staffordshire Bull Terriers (37 dogs) and French Bulldogs (20 dogs) were most frequently affected. Overall, the median age at presentation was 8 years (range 1-15 years), but French Bulldogs had a younger median age of 6 years. Boxers, French Bulldogs and Staffordshire Bull Terriers showed higher odds of bilateral ulceration (odds ratio 1.79, 1.65 and 1.64, respectively) compared to the overall study population. The median time between presentations when both eyes were affected was 4 months (range 0-42 months). There was a statistically significant increase in French Bulldogs, a reduction in Boxers and a stable number of Staffordshire Bull Terriers treated for this condition. However, as the effective sample size from each individual breed was small, further studies would be beneficial to confirm these findings. CONCLUSION: The results from this study suggest a shift in breed distribution. The risk of bilateral disease is higher in the three breeds reported here, and owners should be counselled appropriately at the initial examination.

Prophylactic efficacy of intravenous paracetamol administration to reduce the incidence of post-operative ocular hypertension in dogs undergoing phacoemulsification: A pilot study.

PURPOSE: To determine whether intravenous administration of paracetamol can prevent postoperative ocular hypertension (POH) in dogs following routine phacoemulsification. METHODS: Diabetic and non-diabetic patients (total 54 dogs) undergoing unilateral or bilateral phacoemulsification were recruited to this placebo-controlled, prospective study. The control group received 1 ml/kg saline via intravenous infusion while the treatment group received 10 mg/kg paracetamol via intravenous infusion. Infusions were administered 30 min prior to surgery and repeated 12 h following initial administration. All patients received topical latanoprost at the conclusion of surgery. Intraocular pressure (IOP) was measured before premedication (baseline), and at 1 h, 3 h, 5 h and 18 h following extubation. POH was defined as an IOP above 25 mmHg (POH25). In addition, the number of patients with an IOP exceeding 20 mmHg was analyzed (POH20). RESULTS: POH20 occurred in 33 of 54 animals (61.1%), including 19 of 25 animals (76.0%) in the control group and 14 of 29 animals (55.2%) in the treatment group. POH25 occurred in 23 of 44 animals (52.3%), including 13 of 25 animals (52.0%) in the control group and 10 of 29 animals (34.5%) in the treatment group. Paracetamol administration showed a significant positive effect on reducing the incidence of POH20 (p = .048), but not POH25 (p = .221). CONCLUSIONS: When comparing groups, treatment with paracetamol showed a statistically significant reduction in the incidence of POH20, although no differences were observed in the incidence of POH25 between groups. Further studies are warranted to explore whether alternative drug regimes or routes of administration can provide enhanced efficacy in the prevention of POH25.

An immunohistochemical study of uveodermatologic syndrome in two Japanese Akita dogs.

MATERIALS: Ocular and cutaneous tissues from two Japanese Akita dogs with uveodermatologic syndrome (UVD) were subjected to immunohistochemical analysis. RESULTS: Light microscopic examination of the globes confirmed the presence of panuveitis of different severity in each case. The infiltrate was primarily granulomatous with prominent perivascular lymphoid aggregates. Melanophages were present throughout the affected areas, and there were scattered plasma cells. Immunohistochemistry using CD79a, CD3, MAC387 and MHC class II markers indicated that there were relatively few T lymphocytes and that most lymphocytes were of the B-cell lineage. The two skin biopsies examined also appeared to represent different stages of cutaneous pathology. The biopsy from one case was consistent with the reported features of skin lesions of canine UVD syndrome, including granulomatous dermatitis with extensive T-cell infiltration extending into the epidermis. In contrast, the skin lesion from the second case showed less inflammation, more pigmentary incontinence and evidence of dermal fibrosis. There was no immunoglobulin or complement deposition at any level within the cutaneous or ocular lesions. CONCLUSIONS: The findings of these two cases suggest that the skin lesions of these two dogs with UVD syndrome were mediated by T cells and macrophages (Th1 immunity), whereas the ocular lesions were more consistent with a B cell and macrophage response (Th2 immunity). This is, however, a preliminary investigation and these features may not be the same for all cases of UVD syndrome.