Retrospective evaluation of phacoemulsification and aspiration in 182 eyes: Visual outcomes and CDE-predictive value.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the effect of cumulative dissipated energy (CDE) on complications and visual outcome following cataract surgery in dogs. ANIMALS STUDIED: Records of 182 canine eyes that had undergone cataract surgery. PROCEDURES: Retrospective medical record review was conducted on dogs that underwent unilateral or bilateral elective cataract surgery by a single surgeon. Preoperative variables such as age, cataract duration, and pre-existing conditions were recorded. Intraoperative variables such as intraocular lens (IOL) status, phacoemulsification time, average power, irrigation fluid volume, and CDE were recorded. Postoperative complications and visual status at last follow-up were compared to these variables. RESULTS: Eighty-six percent of dogs were visual in one or both eyes at last follow-up (LFU) examination. Median follow-up time was 186 days postoperatively. Eyes that developed glaucoma had a significantly greater mean CDE (77.73 ± 80.11) than eyes that did not develop glaucoma (49.21 ± 38.93). Eyes that remained visual at the LFU examination had a significantly lower mean CDE (48.31 ± 37.14) than eyes that were blind at LFU (82.05 ± 82.73). Significantly lower mean CDEs were found in diabetic eyes, younger eyes, early-operated eyes (<1 month duration), and eyes with preoperative lens-induced uveitis. CONCLUSIONS: Higher CDE may be associated with an increased risk of postoperative glaucoma and loss of vision in dogs. Cumulative dissipated energy may be a useful prognostic indicator for success of canine cataract surgery.

Clinical trial of adjunctive autologous platelet-rich plasma treatment following diamond-burr debridement for spontaneous chronic corneal epithelial defects in dogs.

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the effects of adjunctive treatment with autologous platelet-rich plasma (PRP) on corneal reepithelialization, vascularization, and fibrosis in dogs with spontaneous chronic corneal epithelial defects (SCCEDs). DESIGN Randomized, controlled, double-masked clinical trial. ANIMALS 40 client-owned dogs with uncomplicated SCCEDs. PROCEDURES All dogs were treated with diamond-burr epithelial debridement (DBD) of affected eyes, topical tobramycin solution and atropine sulfate ointment application, and Elizabethan collar placement for 4 weeks. Dogs were randomly assigned to topical ocular administration of autologous PRP (n = 20) or artificial tear solution (control group; 20) 4 times daily for 28 days. Recheck examinations were performed approximately 2 and 4 weeks after treatment began to evaluate SCCEDs for corneal reepithelialization, and semiquantitative corneal vascularization and corneal fibrosis scores were assigned according to affected corneal surface area. Results were compared between groups. RESULTS All dogs completed the study. The SCCEDs had completely reepithelialized in 11 (55%) control dogs and 12 (60%) PRP-treated dogs by the 2-week reevaluation, and in 15 (75%) control dogs and 18 (90%) PRP-treated dogs by the 4-week reevaluation. No significant differences were identified between groups in these proportions nor in mean differences from pretreatment scores for corneal vascularization and fibrosis. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE In this preliminary study involving dogs with uncomplicated SCCEDs, topical PRP administered as an adjunctive treatment following DBD had no significant effect on healing. A larger study is warranted to support or refute these findings and to determine the effects of adjunctive PRP treatment for dogs with complicated SCCEDs.

Capnocytophaga keratitis in dogs: clinical, histopathologic, and microbiologic features of seven cases.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the clinical, microbiologic, and histopathologic features of Capnocytophaga keratitis in dogs. ANIMALS STUDIED: Seven dogs with naturally acquired Capnocytophaga keratitis. PROCEDURES: Medical records of dogs with a clinical diagnosis of keratitis and corneal cultures positive for Capnocytophaga spp. were reviewed. Dog signalment, medical history, clinical findings, and diagnostic assay results were recorded. RESULTS: Breeds included Boston terrier (n = 3 dogs), Rat terrier (n = 2), and single cases of mixed breed and Pug. All dogs examined had expansive corneal ulceration involving the majority of the corneal surface. Marked corneal infiltrates, keratomalacia, and hypopyon were present. Progression of corneal disease was rapid with extensive dissolution of the corneal stroma. Corneal lesions progressed to catastrophic perforations within 24 h of the initial examination in three dogs, requiring enucleation. One globe was enucleated after failure to resolve with long-term medical therapy. Globes and vision were retained in three dogs following aggressive medical therapy (two dogs) or 360° conjunctival graft surgery (one dog). Capnocytophaga cynodegmi, Capnocytophaga canimorsus, or unspeciated Capnocytophaga spp. were cultured from corneal samples of all dogs. Long, thin, gram-negative rods were present during cytological evaluation of the cornea in some dogs. Histopathologic evaluation of enucleated globes revealed severe and diffuse neutrophilic and collagenolytic keratitis. CONCLUSIONS: Capnocytophaga keratitis is a severe, rapidly progressive corneal infection in dogs that is associated with diffuse corneal involvement, extensive keratomalacia, and a relatively poor prognosis. Clinical features of canine Capnocytophaga keratitis are similar to human cases of this infection.

In vivo confocal microscopy for detection of subconjunctival Onchocerca lupi infection in a dog.

A seven-year-old male castrated mixed-breed dog was diagnosed with bilateral subconjunctival masses. In vivo confocal microscopy facilitated visualization of Onchocerca lupi adult nematodes and their characteristic cuticular morphology. Long, thin, white nematodes were extracted during excisional biopsy. Histopathologic and parasitologic evaluation confirmed the diagnosis of O. lupi. In addition to surgical debulking of the parasitic granulomas, the dog received systemic doxycycline, prednisone, and ivermectin therapy. In vivo confocal microscopy was repeated one year after initial diagnosis, and no remaining nematodes were visible. To the authors' knowledge, this is the first report of use of in vivo confocal microscopy as a noninvasive diagnostic and monitoring tool for canine onchocerciasis.

Ophthalmomyiasis interna anterior in a dog: keratotomy and extraction of a Cuterebra sp. larva.

A 1-year-old female spayed mixed-breed dog was presented for evaluation of acute onset of lethargy and blepharospasm OD. Slit-lamp biomicroscopy revealed a segmented larva embedded in the inferonasal iris. Moderate anterior uveitis was present. After pharmacologic dilation, mild vitreal hemorrhage and chorioretinal migration tracks were identified. The dog was treated empirically for uveitis for 5 days, after which a keratotomy and larval foreign body extraction was performed. The dog recovered uneventfully from intraocular surgery and remained visual and comfortable. Parasite evaluation confirmed the larva to be a Cuterebra sp. To the authors' knowledge, this is the first report of canine ophthalmomyiasis interna anterior, and the first report of successful surgical removal from the anterior segment in a dog with preservation of vision.

Retrospective evaluation of phacoemulsification and aspiration in 41 horses (46 eyes): visual outcomes vs. age, intraocular lens, and uveitis status.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the effect of age at the time of surgery, intraocular lens (IOL) placement, and presence of chronic uveitis on visual outcome after phacoemulsification and aspiration (PA) of cataracts in horses. ANIMALS STUDIED: Records of 41 horses (46 eyes) receiving unilateral or bilateral PA. METHODS: Retrospective analysis of horses receiving unilateral or bilateral PA at the NCSU-VTH (35 horses, 39 eyes) and in Northern Italy (six horses, seven eyes) was performed. Visual status at last follow-up was compared to age at the time of surgery, IOL status, and presence of chronic uveitis preoperatively. Seven horses with chronic uveitis also underwent placement of a suprachoroidal cyclosporine implant. Clinical ophthalmic examinations and owner questionnaires were used to evaluate visual status. RESULTS: Twenty-one of 46 eyes (46%) received an IOL and 12 of 46 eyes (26%) had chronic uveitis. Overall, 25 of 46 eyes (54%) were visual at last follow-up (mean 35.1 ± 34.8 months). Age (mean 8.6 ± 7.7 years) was not significantly associated with visual outcome. Fourteen of 21 (67%) pseudophakic eyes and 11 of 25 (44%) aphakic eyes were visual at last follow-up (P = 0.342). Eyes with preoperative chronic uveitis were significantly less likely to be visual (3 of 12 eyes [25%]) than horses without preoperative chronic uveitis (22 of 34 eyes [65%]) (P = 0.023). CONCLUSIONS: Horses with chronic uveitis had significantly less favorable visual outcome after PA. Older age at surgery and IOL use were not associated with poor visual outcome.

Combined excision and intralesional bevacizumab for sebaceous carcinoma of the eyelid in an Amur tiger (Panthera tigris altaica).

An 18-year-old zoo-kept female Amur tiger presented with an approximately 5 mm diameter lateral canthal eyelid mass in the left eye which grossly appeared red and irregular. The mass was completely excised via lateral canthoplasty. Histopathologic evaluation was consistent with a diagnosis of sebaceous cell carcinoma, which is a potentially aggressive cutaneous neoplasm. The sebaceous carcinoma recurred within 3 months and slowly increased in size until a second surgical excision was performed 9 months following the first surgery. The second surgical excision was combined with intralesional injection of 10 mg of the antiangiogenic drug bevacizumab. Histology confirmed the diagnosis. The tiger was euthanized 16 months postoperatively for reasons unrelated to, and without recurrence of, the eyelid neoplasm. At postmortem, no gross periocular or metastatic lesions were noted, and histopathology of the lateral canthus provided no evidence of recurrence. Surgical excision combined with intralesional bevacizumab treatment induced life-long resolution of the sebaceous carcinoma. Bevacizumab treatment may be associated with the regression of periocular angiogenic proliferative conditions, including neoplasia, by inhibiting angiogenesis.

Investigating the inheritance of prolapsed nictitating membrane glands in a large canine pedigree.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the inheritance of prolapsed nictitating membrane glands (PNMG) in a large pedigree of purpose-bred mongrel dogs. ANIMALS STUDIED: Two lines of purpose-bred mongrel dogs kept at a research facility with controlled environment were analyzed for frequent occurrences of PNMG. The first line (GS line) consisted of 201 dogs, derived from one German shorthaired pointer and seven mongrel dogs. The second line (M line) was established from one mongrel dog and three miniature longhaired dachshund (MLHD) dogs followed by closed breeding practice (n = 50). The two canine lines were connected by a female dog, which contributed genetically to both lines. PROCEDURES: Medical records of all dogs were reviewed retrospectively for signalment, parental data, and the presence of PNMG. Pedigrees were constructed to facilitate assessment of inheritance. RESULTS: The overall prevalence of PNMG in the GS line was 4.0% (8/201) over a 12-year period. The prevalence in the M line was 10.0% (5/50) over 6 years, which increased to 23.1% (3/13) when only dogs aged 2 years or older were considered. Analysis of the pedigrees ruled out simple modes of Mendelian inheritance in both canine lines. CONCLUSION: The high prevalence of PNMG in two canine lines bred and maintained under a strictly controlled environment supported the involvement of genetic risk factors. The mode of inheritance remains to be determined, but it appears to be complex and potentially multigenic.