The use of acellular porcine corneal stroma xenograft (BioCorneaVet™ ) for the treatment of deep stromal and full thickness corneal defects: A retrospective study of 40 cases (2019-2021).

OBJECTIVE: To document the effectiveness and outcome of corneal grafting using acellular porcine corneal stroma (APCS) for veterinary use (BioCorneaVet™ ) to restore corneal integrity in dogs. METHODS: A review of medical records of patients that underwent keratoplasty with APCS graft to repair deep corneal defects, descemetoceles, and perforations between 2019 and 2021 was carried out. Only animals with intact dazzle reflex, consensual PLR before the surgery and a minimum follow-up of four weeks were considered for the study, with forty dogs (1 eye each) meeting the inclusion criteria. RESULTS: Brachycephalic breeds were the most frequently represented, and 20 right eyes and 20 left eyes were affected with 25 perforations, 8 descemetoceles, and 9 deep stromal defects (1 eye had both perforation and descemetocele). Most of the patients had concurrent ocular diseases or had undergone previous surgery on the other eye. Two different thickness of xenograft was used (300 or 450 µm), and the diameter ranged from 3 to 10 mm. Postoperative complications included mild to severe corneal vascularization, partial dehiscence, melting, and glaucoma. Follow-up time ranged from 28 to 797 days (mean: 233 days). Ocular integrity was maintained in 37/40 cases (92.5%), and vision was preserved in 36 cases (90%). CONCLUSION: The use of APCS (BioCorneaVet™ ) is an effective surgical treatment for deep stromal defects, descemetocele, and perforations in dogs, providing a good tectonic support and preserving anatomical integrity and vision. The cosmetic appearance was considered good in all the cases and continued to improve with time.

Epidemiology of ocular disorders presumed to be inherited in three small Italian dog breeds in Italy.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the prevalence and the types of eye disorders that are known or presumed to be inherited (KP-HED) in three small Italian dog breeds. ANIMALS: Three small Italian dog breeds: Maltese, Bolognese, and Italian Greyhound. PROCEDURES: All dogs of the breeds selected for this prospective observational study that underwent a complete ophthalmic examination between 1994 and 2015 were included. General and proportional KP-HED prevalence with 95% confidence intervals were reported. RESULTS: Three hundred and six of 462 dogs were affected by at least one KP-HED (66.2%; 95% CI: 61.8%-70.4%). In the entire population, the five most common KP-HED were cataract (n = 122; rate on the total number of KP-HED: 31.4%), entropion (n = 56; 14.4%), keratoconjunctivitis sicca (n = 33; 8.5%), retinal dysplasia (n = 24; 6.2%), and persistent pupillary membrane (iris to iris) (n = 21; 5.4%). The most common KP-HED in each breed were cataracts in the Maltese (35.1%) and in the Bolognese (24.2%), and presentation of vitreous in the anterior chamber in the Italian Greyhound (46.7%). CONCLUSIONS: Clinicians should be aware of KP-HED that commonly affect three small Italian dog breeds. Breed standards should be reconsidered, and breeding programs should be directed at limiting such disorders.

Epidemiology of ocular disorders presumed to be inherited in three large Italian dog breeds in Italy.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the epidemiology and the types of eye disorders that are presumed to be inherited (PIED) in three large Italian dog breeds. ANIMALS: Three large Italian dog breeds: Neapolitan Mastiff (FCI code: 197), Maremma Sheepdog (FCI code: 201), and Italian Corso dog (FCI code: 343). PROCEDURES: All dogs that underwent a complete ophthalmic examination between 1992 and 2012 were included in this prospective observational study. The prevalence of eye disorders with 95% confidence intervals was reported for presumed healthy dogs and for dogs referred to a veterinary center for an ophthalmic consultation. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression techniques were used to generate odds ratios. RESULTS: Of 605 dogs examined during the study period, 351 dogs were affected by at least one PIED (58%; 95% CI: 54-62%). The prevalence of PIED was significantly lower in dogs presented for ophthalmic examination (53.8%) as compared to presumed healthy dogs (62.2%)(OR: 1.4; 95% CI: 1.02-1.9; P = 0.037). Also after multivariate adjustment for the period of observation, the odds of Neapolitan Mastiff (92.1%; OR: 21.4; 95% CI: 11.1-41.4) and of Cane Corso (57.7%; OR: 2.5; 95% CI: 1.7-3.6) suffering a PIED were greater than the Maremma Sheepdog (35.4%). The most common PIED in each breed were entropion (24.3% of all the PIED) in the Neapolitan Mastiff, ectropion (36.6%) in the Corso dog, and cataract (27.9%) in the Maremma Sheepdog. CONCLUSIONS: Clinicians should be aware that three large Italian dog breeds frequently suffer PIED. Breed standards should be reconsidered, and breeding programs should be directed at limiting such disorders.