Unilateral ventral strabismus in an aquarium Silver Arowana (Osteoglossum bicirrhosum).

An adult silver arowana (Osteoglossum bicirrhosum) presented with a 2-month history of acute onset ventral strabismus of the right eye associated with a cystic structure overlying the dorsal aspect of the globe. Aspiration of the cyst, removal of redundant conjunctival tissue, and apposition of the surgical edges of the conjunctiva did not correct the strabismus. Magnetic resonance imaging of the head and histopathology of the eye did not reveal significant differences between affected and unaffected eyes except for a more posterior dorsal rectus muscle insertion site in the affected eye. This case report documents and describes a syndrome well known among arowana hobbyists as 'drop eye'.

Retrospective evaluation of corneal reconstruction using ACell Vet(™) alone in dogs and cats: 82 cases.

OBJECTIVES: To retrospectively evaluate the complications, graft clarity, and outcomes associated with the use of commercially available porcine urinary bladder submucosa (ACell Vet(™) ) alone for corneal reconstruction in dogs and cats. PROCEDURES: Dogs or cats receiving an ACell Vet(™) graft for corneal reconstruction due to severe ulcerative keratitis or after a keratectomy to remove a corneal sequestrum were included. All received a single layer of ACell Vet(™) , bandage contact lens, and temporary tarsorrhaphy. Bandage contact lens and temporary tarsorrhaphy were removed after graft vascularization or epithelialization. Topical steroids, cyclosporine, tacrolimus were started after epithelialization. Based on their last examination, outcomes were categorized into five groups based on the presence of corneal vessels, appearance of the scar, and the ability to visualize the posterior and/or the anterior segment through the grafted area. RESULTS: There were 82 eyes included in the study, with 68 eyes with sufficient follow-up time for final assessment. Scarring was minimal in 47 eyes, moderate but not enough to obscure visualization of the posterior segment in 12, and severe in nine. There were five eyes that developed phthisis bulbi, glaucoma or were enucleated and nine that were lost to follow up. Graft dehiscence occurred in 19 eyes. Twelve healed without additional surgical intervention while three required a second graft, two became phthisical, and two were enucleated. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Corneal reconstruction with ACell Vet(™) alone is a viable alternative and results in minimal scarring and complications in cats. In dogs, scarring is more pronounced than in cats and graft dehiscence rate is higher compared to conventional techniques.

Comparison of two bupivacaine delivery methods to control postoperative pain after enucleation in dogs.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the efficacy of a preoperative retrobulbar injection of bupivacaine to an intraoperative splash block of bupivacaine in controlling postoperative pain following enucleation in dogs. ANIMALS STUDIED: Prospective, randomized, double-masked clinical study of 31 client owned dogs with end-stage ophthalmic disease requiring enucleation. PROCEDURES: Dogs admitted for unilateral enucleation were randomly assigned to receive bupivacaine 0.5% (1 mL/kg) into the retrobulbar space either via an inferior-temporal palpebral (ITP) injection preoperatively or an intraoperative splash block. Pain was assessed prior to pre-anesthetic sedation and at 0, 0.25, 0.5, 1, 2, 4 6, 8, and 24 hours (H) after extubation by masked observers using a previously described subjective pain scoring system. Rescue analgesia was initiated if overall pain score was >9 or if the score in any category at any time point was >3. RESULTS: There were no adverse reactions. One of 15 dogs that received bupivacaine via a preoperative retrobulbar ITP injection required rescue analgesia. There was no significant difference between groups with regard to the need for rescue analgesia or pain scores at any time point or overall. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Pain control using an intraoperative orbital splash administration of bupivacaine is not significantly different to a preoperative retrobulbar injection of bupivacaine.

In vitro evaluation of the inhibitory effect of canine serum, canine fresh frozen plasma, freeze-thaw-cycled plasma, and Solcoseryl™ on matrix metalloproteinases 2 and 9.

OBJECTIVE: Compare the efficacy of canine serum, fresh frozen plasma (FFP), freeze-thaw-cycled plasma (FTCP), and Solcoseryl(™) at inhibiting matrix metalloproteinases (MMP) 2 and 9 in vitro. PROCEDURE: Matrix metalloproteinases 2 and 9 activity in the presence of serum, FFP, FTCP, or Solcoseryl(™) was assayed using a commercially available fluorogenic gelatinase activity kit. RESULTS: Matrix metalloproteinases 2 activity in the presence of serum, FFP, FTCP, and Solcoseryl(™) was 20.84%, 5.76%, 8.10%, and 83.03%, respectively of uninhibited MMP 2 activity. MMP 9 activity in the presence of serum, FFP, FTCP, and Solcoseryl(™) was 57.36%, 58.35%, 49.35%, and -8.69%, respectively of uninhibited MMP 9 activity. CONCLUSION: Serum, FFP, and FTCP exhibit similar levels of MMP 2 and 9 inhibitions. Solcoseryl(™) causes minimal MMP 2 inhibition, but profound MMP 9 inhibition.