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.

The prevalence of uveitis in a population of donkeys in the UK.

BACKGROUND: Uveitis is reported to be a leading cause of blindness in horses. Little work has been undertaken to date to investigate whether donkeys are affected by a similar disease prevalence. OBJECTIVES: To investigate the disease prevalence of uveitis in a population of donkeys in the UK. STUDY DESIGN: Descriptive observational study. METHODS: An ophthalmic examination was performed on each donkey, in a darkened stable. Each donkey underwent slit lamp biomicroscopy, and direct and/or indirect ophthalmoscopy. Fluorescein staining, STT1 and IOPs were measured when deemed clinically necessary. Pharmacological pupillary dilation was achieved using 1% tropicamide. RESULTS: A total of 207 donkeys were examined: 139 males (67.1%) and 68 females (32.9%). Age range was 2-37 years (median: 17 years, interquartile range: 9-25 years). Three donkeys (1.5%) were blind in one eye, and one was monocular at the time of examination. Signs consistent with either previous or current uveitis were identified in eight eyes of six animals (2.9%). Clinical signs included are as follows: miosis (n = 1), corpora nigra atrophy (n = 6), anterior lens capsule pigment (n = 2), cataract (n = 8), posterior synechiae (n = 3), lens subluxation (n = 1), vitreal changes (n = 2), peripapillary scarring (n = 3) and phthisis bulbi (n = 1). Significant ocular pathology precluded fundic examination in three eyes. Three out of eight eyes (37.5%) were blinded by the pathology. The risk of uveitis was found to increase with age (OR 1.1, CI: 1.01-1.25) on univariable analysis (P = .046.). MAIN LIMITATIONS: Fluorescein staining, tonometry and Schirmer tear test measurements were not performed on all donkeys. CONCLUSIONS: The disease prevalence reported here is comparable to that reported for horses in the UK. Larger prospective studies are necessary to determine whether there is a similar trend in disease prevalence in the donkey population worldwide. In addition, further investigations should aim to establish whether uveitis in donkeys is similar to the ERU syndrome seen in horses.

Prevalence of antibody seroconversion to Toxoplasma gondii in uveitis and non-uveitis dogs.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the prevalence of seroconversion to Toxoplasma gondii in dogs with uveitis and dogs without uveitis. METHODS: In total, 135 dogs were evaluated: 51 dogs were diagnosed with uveitis, and 84 dogs were without uveitis. Latex agglutination tests were performed on all sera, and the results were evaluated. RESULTS: Overall, 7.8 and 6.0 per cent of sera were positive for the presence of anti-T gondii antibodies (dilution ≥1:64) in the groups with uveitis and non-uveitis dogs, respectively. The frequency distribution of variables (positive and negative results in the uveitis and the non-uveitis group of dogs) was tested with Fisher's exact test. There was no statistically significant difference between groups (P=0.73). CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: These findings suggest that evidence of exposure to T gondii was not significantly different between uveitis and non-uveitis groups of dogs and that the possible association between exposure to T gondii and canine uveitis requires further investigation. This study is the first to report the seroprevalence of anti-T gondii antibodies in dogs in the UK population and the first to report the seroprevalence of anti-T gondii antibodies in dogs with uveitis.