Long-term treatment outcomes and risk factors for recurrence in feline corneal sequestrum: 72 cases (2009-2017).

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to evaluate long-term treatment outcomes in feline corneal sequestrum (FCS), compare the recurrence rates between different surgical techniques, identify possible recurrence risk factors and monitor the development of FCS in the contralateral eye. METHODS: The medical records of 72 cats (79 eyes) with FCS treated between 2009 and 2017 were retrospectively analysed. RESULTS: The most commonly affected breeds were Persian, domestic shorthaired and Burmesecats. The mean age was 6.9 years. Sixty-five cats (90%) were affected unilaterally. Sixty-six eyes (83%) underwent surgery: keratectomy in 34 eyes (52%) and keratectomy followed by a graft procedure in 32 eyes (48%). Recurrence occurred in 13 out of 66 eyes (19%) at a median of 245 days after surgery. Skull conformation, location of the FCS, type of surgical procedure and concurrent ocular surgery did not significantly affect the recurrence rate. Eighteen cats (27%) developed FCS in the contralateral eye at a median of 635 days after surgery. LIMITATIONS: Limitations are related to the retrospective nature of the study, the use of telephone follow-up for assessment of recurrence in some cats and the small number of cases. CONCLUSIONS: Surgical excision had a successful outcome in most cases. The type of surgical procedure and skull conformation did not affect the recurrence rate. One-quarter of the cats developed FCS in the contralateral eye.

Evaluation of partial tarsal plate excision using a transconjunctival approach for the treatment of distichiasis in dogs.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the clinical outcome, possible complications, and recurrence rate of distichiasis in dogs treated with partial tarsal plate excision (PTPE) technique using a transconjunctival approach. METHODS: Retrospective study including 17 client-owned canine patients affected with distichiasis and presenting with associated clinical signs (ie, blepharospasm, epiphora, chronic keratoconjunctivitis, or corneal ulceration) that underwent surgical removal of the aberrant lashes using a PTPE technique between January 2018 and February 2019. Data collected included breed, age, sex, affected eyelid(s), number of distichia, and tear film breakup time (TBUT). Resected cilia-bearing tarsoconjunctival strips were submitted for histopathological analysis. RESULTS: Thirty eyes (52 eyelids) from 17 dogs were included in the study. The median age was 688 days (range 118-4243 days). A successful outcome, defined as complete resolution of clinical signs attributable to the distichia, occurred in all eyes after a single procedure, with a mean follow-up time of 239 days (range 69-480 days). Appearance of new distichia occurred in 14/30 eyes (46.3%), and of these, three eyes needed a new PTPE procedure. Recurrence of the distichia only occurred in one eye (3.3%) which was asymptomatic. Following surgery, TBUT decreased below the normal value in 7/24 eyes (29.1%) although none developed clinical signs of qualitative tear film deficiency. Post-operative complications included trichiasis and cicatricial entropion, which developed in two eyes (6.6%), and these were successfully managed with corrective eyelid surgery. CONCLUSIONS: Partial tarsal plate excision, using a transconjunctival approach, had an excellent clinical outcome with a low incidence of complications.

Long-term outcomes after pantarsal arthrodesis with medial plate fixation without external coaptation in 30 dogs.

OBJECTIVE: To report long-term outcomes of dogs treated with pantarsal arthrodesis (PTA) with medial plate fixation without external coaptation. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective case series. ANIMALS: Client-owned dogs (n = 30). METHODS: Medical records of dogs that had undergone a PTA with a medially applied plate without adjunctive rigid external coaptation were reviewed. Data collected included signalment, complications, and assessment of function at last physical examination. Follow-up information was obtained by phone conversations with owners. Complications were classified as minor, major II, major I, and catastrophic. RESULTS: Thirty-six PTA were performed in 30 dogs. Recorded complications included eight (22.2%) minor complications, 11 (30.6%) major II complications and 11 (30.6%) major I complications. One (2.8%) dog required amputation because of catastrophic complication. Owners provided follow-up for 26 dogs at a median duration of 1215 days (range, 325-3495) after surgery. The outcome was reported as full function in 12 dogs and acceptable function in 14 dogs, with no owners reporting unacceptable function. The owner of the dog in which amputation was required was not contacted. Incorrect contact details prevented owner follow-up in the other three dogs, but all had acceptable function at last veterinary follow up. CONCLUSION: Dogs treated with PTA by medially applied plate had a high incidence of complications requiring surgical or medical management, although full or acceptable function was achieved in 29 of 30 dogs. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Pantarsal arthrodesis offers a predictably good medium to long-term outcome in spite of a high risk of complications.

Bilateral enucleation in dogs: A review of owner perceptions and satisfaction.

PURPOSE: To evaluate owner perceptions of the quality of life of their dogs before and after bilateral enucleation and to assess owner satisfaction with the procedure. METHODS: Medical records of 72 dogs from the Willows Veterinary Centre and Referral Service (49 dogs) and the Royal Veterinary College (RVC, 23 dogs) that had undergone bilateral enucleation, either in one procedure or at different times, between April 2008 (Willows) or 2012 (RVC) and April 2017, were reviewed. Owners were initially telephoned to determine owner satisfaction, followed by a postal visual analogue scale (VAS) questionnaire evaluating perceptions of their dog's quality of life before and after the bilateral enucleation. Statistical evaluation included Wilcoxon signed-rank tests and Chi-squared analysis. RESULTS: Of the 72 cases identified, 63 owners (88%) were contacted by telephone and 60 owners (83%) also completed the VAS questionnaire. The mean age at the time of the second or bilateral enucleation was 8.47 years (range 7.1 months-14.5 years). Cross-breeds (n = 12, 17%) and Jack Russell Terriers (n = 7, 10%) were the two most represented breeds. Glaucoma was the most common reason for enucleation (139/144 eyes, 97%). Most owners (57/63, 90%) were satisfied with the surgery and would consent to the procedure again. Statistically significant improvements in owner perceptions of their dog's pain level, reaction to facial/ocular palpation, activity levels, and quality of life were identified post-enucleation. CONCLUSIONS: Following bilateral enucleation, owners were satisfied with the procedure and perceived their dogs to have a good quality of life.

Variation in the Quantity of Elastic Fibres with Degeneration in Canine Cranial Cruciate Ligaments from Labrador Retrievers.

Objectives This study aims to quantify numbers of elastic fibres in cranial cruciate ligaments from a dog breed at high risk of cranial cruciate ligament disease. Methods Macroscopically normal cranial cruciate ligaments were harvested from six Labrador retrievers. Sequential histological sections were assessed for extracellular matrix degeneration (haematoxylin and eosin stain) and elastic fibre staining (Miller's stain). Elastic fibres were semi-quantified using previously published scoring systems. Each section was scored twice by two observers. Results Increased numbers of elastic fibres were seen with increasing cranial cruciate ligament degeneration (p = 0.001). Labrador retriever cranial cruciate ligaments had lower elastic fibre staining when compared with previous published findings in the racing greyhound. Clinical Significance The cranial cruciate ligaments from a dog breed at high risk of cranial cruciate ligament disease vary in the quantity of elastic fibres in association with ligament degeneration. Breed variation in the quantity of elastic fibres may reflect differing risk of cranial cruciate ligament disease.

The organisation of elastin and fibrillins 1 and 2 in the cruciate ligament complex.

Although elastin fibres and oxytalan fibres (bundles of microfibrils) have important mechanical, biochemical and cell regulatory functions, neither their distribution nor their function in cruciate ligaments has been investigated. Twelve pairs of cruciate ligaments (CLs) were obtained from 10 adult dogs with no evidence of knee osteoarthritis. Elastic fibres were identified using Verhoeff's and Miller's staining. Fibrillins 1 and 2 were immunolocalised and imaged using confocal laser scanning microscopy. Hydrated, unfixed tissue was analysed using Nomarski differential interference microscopy (NDIC), allowing structural and mechanical analysis. Microfibrils and elastin fibres were widespread in both CLs, predominantly within ligament fascicles, parallel to collagen bundles. Although elastin fibres were sparse, microfibrils were abundant. We described abundant fibres composed of both fibrillin 1 and fibrillin 2, which had a similar pattern of distribution to oxytalan fibres. NDIC demonstrated complex interfascicular and interbundle anatomy in the CL complex. The distribution of elastin fibres is suggestive of a mechanical role in bundle reorganisation following ligament deformation. The presence and location of fibrillin 2 in oxytalan fibres in ligament differs from the solely fibrillin 1-containing oxytalan fibres previously described in tendon and may demonstrate a fundamental difference between ligament and tendon.