Ectopic cilia in 112 dogs: A multicenter retrospective study.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this retrospective study was to review the clinical data and outcomes of patients that suffered ectopic cilium (EC). ANIMALS STUDIED: One hundred and twelve dogs from multiple private practices in France, with a clinical diagnosis of EC were included in the study. RESULTS: The mean age of affected dogs was 2.3 years. There were 64 females and 48 males. The most represented breeds were the Shi Tzu, the French Bulldog, the English Bulldog and the Chihuahua. Eleven dogs were affected bilaterally. The upper eyelid was implicated in 93.5% of the cases, with the median portion being the most affected. No statistical difference was observed between the right and the left eye. EC were associated with distichiasis in 50% of the cases. Pigmentation of the conjunctiva at the point of exit of the EC was present in 58% of the cases. EC were short in 75% and long in 25% of the cases. Corneal complications were statistically associated with short EC. The corneal lesions associated with EC were keratitis (94%), corneal granuloma (0.8%), corneal fibrosis (2.7%), corneal degeneration (0.8%), superficial corneal ulcer (68.7%), deep corneal ulcer (8%) and perforating corneal ulcer (0.8%). The surgeries which consisted of the removal of the hair follicle was successful in 88.4% of the cases. CONCLUSION: EC is a rare condition which can be treated successfully by the removal of the hair follicles. It must be suspected in cases of corneal lesions unresponsive to medical treatment.

Corneal epithelial inclusion cysts in 12 dogs (13 eyes) from 2010 to 2019: A multicentric retrospective study.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this retrospective study was to review the clinical data and outcomes of patients that suffered corneal epithelial inclusion cysts (CEIC). Animals studied Thirteen eyes from 12 dogs from multiple private practices in France and Belgium, with a strong clinical of CEIC were included in the study. RESULTS: The mean age of affected dogs was 9 years. There were 9 females and 3 males. Two out of 12 dogs were Shih Tzus. Where identified, etiology was traumatic. Eleven dogs were affected unilaterally, 1 bilaterally. The cysts were single, bi-lobulated, or tri-lobulate, and cyst size ranged from 1 to 6 mm in diameter. Keratectomy alone was performed in seven cases, in conjunction with a conjunctival graft in three cases, a porcine small intestine mucosa graft in two cases, or an amniotic membrane graft in one case. Histopathologic findings were consistent in all eyes with a cyst located in the corneal stroma, composed of a nonkeratinized squamous epithelium delineating a lumen filled with neutrophils and desquamated epithelial cells. Surgery was curative in all cases but one, where the removal was incomplete and recurrence occurred several weeks after the surgery. CONCLUSION: Corneal epithelial inclusion cysts is a rare condition, secondary to corneal trauma, which can be treated successfully with conventional keratectomy alone or in conjunction with graft procedures.

Investigation of Anti-Myeloperoxidase Antibodies in a Dog with Bilateral Necrotizing Scleritis.

Necrotizing scleritis is uncommon in dogs and presumed to be immune-mediated. Its clinical pattern and histopathology are similar to ocular lesions observed in humans suffering from granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA), formerly named Wegener's granulomatosis, where the pathogenesis revolves around anti-neutrophil antibodies (e.g., anti-myeloperoxidase). These antibodies are used to diagnose and follow-up the disease in humans, but variants that only affect the eyes often test negative. Here, we present the first case of canine necrotizing scleritis where measurement of anti-myeloperoxidase antibodies was attempted. A 1.5 year-old female Scottish Terrier was presented with bilateral deep multifocal scleromalacia, severe inflammation of corneal/uveal/retrobulbar tissues, perilimbal corneal oedema and neovascularization, hypotony, and mild exophthalmos. Corticosteroids and antibiotics had been administrated (topically and orally) without success. Due to painful multifocal scleral perforation with vitreal haemorrhage, the left eye underwent enucleation, so did the right eye one week later. The histopathology of the left eye revealed a neutrophilic and histiocytic scleral infiltration with extension of pyogranulomatous inflammation to the cornea, choroid, ciliary body, and orbital fat. Levels of plasma anti-myeloperoxidase antibodies were not statistically significant to those of 13 healthy dogs. Further research is warranted to investigate the presence and role of anti-neutrophil antibodies in canine necrotizing scleritis.

Scanning laser ophthalmoscopy and optical coherence tomography imaging of spectacular ecdysis in the corn snake (Pantherophis guttatus) and the California king snake (Lampropeltis getulus californiae).

PURPOSE: One of the singularities of the eyes of snakes is the presence of the spectacle, a transparent and vascularized integument covering the cornea. The spectacle is completely renewed during ecdysis. Combined scanning laser ophthalmoscopy (SLO), optical coherence tomography (OCT), and conventional macrophotography were used to image this phenomenon. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A spectral OCT/SLO examination and macrophotography were performed in four healthy adult corn snakes (Pantherophis guttatus) and one healthy adult California king snake (Lampropeltis getulus californiae) the day before the start of ecdysis and then daily during ecdysis. RESULTS: In all animals, ecdysis lasted 5 days. The spectacle was hardly visible at baseline, but became obvious at day one, while the subspectacular space became larger and the superficial cornea presented a hyperechoic band. At day two, eye surface became translucent, and at the same time, vascularization of the spectacle was visible using SLO. At day 3, the vascularization was no longer visible, while the subspectacular space increased and the eye surface remained translucent. At day 4, the eye surface was transparent and the superficial hyperechoic band started to become less bright. At day 5, the old spectacle was shed and all the parameters returned to baseline. CONCLUSION: We hypothesize that the echogenicity modifications of the anterior cornea correspond to major metabolic activity associated with new spectacle formation. This increased metabolic activity may contribute to the neovascularization and play an important role in the accumulation of fluid in the subspectacular space, facilitating the shedding of the old spectacle.

Ocular effects of topical 0.03% bimatoprost solution in normotensive feline eyes.

OBJECTIVE: The current study was undertaken to evaluate the effects of topically applied bimatoprost, an ocular hypotensive lipid, on intraocular pressure (IOP) and pupil size (PS) in healthy cats. ANIMAL STUDIED: Nine European Shorthair cats free from clinically relevant ocular abnormalities were used in the study. PROCEDURES: Pretreatment baseline measurements of IOP and PS were obtained bilaterally at 8 am, 2 pm, and 8 pm for five consecutive days (days 1 to 5). Then the cats received one drop twice daily (10 am and 6 pm) of bimatoprost ophthalmic solution 0.03% (Lumigantrade mark, Allergan Inc., Irvine, CA USA), in one randomly selected eye and one drop of artificial tears in the fellow eye (control eye) for 5 days (days 6 to 10). Values for IOP and PS were obtained under the same conditions as in the pretreatment phase. The potential for ocular irritation following bimatoprost application was also evaluated. RESULTS: During the pretreatment period, the mean IOP and mean PS were not significantly different between the eyes subsequently treated with bimatoprost and those subsequently determined as controls. During the treatment period, the mean IOP in bimatoprost-treated eyes was not significantly lower than in control eyes (14.2+/-2.3 vs. 14.5+/-2.8 mmHg). Mean IOP in control eyes was not significantly changed at any time during the study period. A marked reduction of PS was seen in all bimatoprost-treated eyes, but no other clinically relevant side effects were observed. CONCLUSION: Twice daily topical applications of bimatoprost produced miosis but had no significant effect on IOP in healthy cats.