Ocular dimensions, corneal thickness, and corneal curvature in quarter horses with hereditary equine regional dermal asthenia.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to compare ocular dimensions, corneal curvature, and corneal thickness between horses affected with hereditary equine regional dermal asthenia (HERDA) and unaffected horses. ANIMALS: Five HERDA-affected quarter horses and five healthy control quarter horses were used. METHODS: Schirmer's tear test, tonometry, and corneal diameter measurements were performed in both eyes of all horses prior to ophthalmologic examinations. Ultrasonic pachymetry was performed to measure the central, temporal, nasal, dorsal, and ventral corneal thicknesses in all horses. B-mode ultrasound scanning was performed on both eyes of each horse to determine the dimensions of the ocular structures and to calculate the corneal curvature. RESULTS: Each corneal region examined in this study was thinner in the affected group compared with the healthy control group. However, significant differences in corneal thickness were only observed for the central and dorsal regions. HERDA-affected horses exhibited significant increases in corneal curvature and corneal diameter compared with unaffected animals. The ophthalmologic examinations revealed mild corneal opacity in one eye of one affected horse and in both eyes of three affected horses. No significant between-group differences were observed for Schirmer's tear test, intraocular pressure, or ocular dimensions. CONCLUSIONS: Hereditary equine regional dermal asthenia-affected horses exhibit decreased corneal thickness in several regions of the cornea, increased corneal curvature, increased corneal diameter, and mild corneal opacity. Additional research is required to determine whether the increased corneal curvature significantly impacts the visual accuracy of horses with HERDA.

Facoemulsificação em cães, com e sem implante de lente intra-ocular em piggyback: estudo clínico da inflamação pós-operatória / Phacoemulsification in dogs with and without intraocular lens implantation in piggyback: Clinical study of postoperative inflammation

A uveíte peri e pós-operatória é o maior problema da cirurgia para extração de catarata no cão, sendo considerada o fator mais importante para o sucesso cirúrgico, imediato e tardio. Diversos protocolos pré e pós-operatórios utilizando agentes anti-inflamatórios esteroidais e não-esteroidais têm sido empregados na tentativa de controle da uveíte cirurgicamente induzida. O objetivo do presente estudo foi avaliar a reação inflamatória pós-operatória, clinicamente e por meio da pressão intraocular (PIO), após a cirurgia de facoemulsificação para extração de catarata em cães, com e sem implante de lente intraocular (LIO) em piggyback. Empregaram-se, 25 cães portadores de catarata, subdivididos em dois grupos: G1 (com implante de LIO), G2 (sem implante de LIO). A técnica cirúrgica adotada foi a facoemulsificação bimanual unilateral. Avaliações clínicas e mensurações da PIO foram aferidas antes do procedimento cirúrgico (0) e nos tempos 3, 7, 14, 21, 28 e 60 dias após o ato cirúrgico. Cães do grupo G1 apresentaram sinais clínicos de uveíte visivelmente mais intensos, relativamente aos do G2. Entretanto, a PIO não demonstrou diferença significativa entre os dois grupos analisados, nem entre os olhos operados e os contralaterais. A utilização de duas LIOs humanas em piggyback no cão é exequível, porém suscita mais inflamação e complicações no pós-operatório.

Perioperative and postoperative uveitis is the main problem in cataract surgery in dogs, affecting short-term and long-term postoperative success. Numerous therapeutic methods involving both steroidal and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agents have been used to reduce surgically-induced uveitis. The purpose of this study was to investigate the postoperative inflammatory reaction and intraocular pressure after phacoemulsification surgery for cataract extraction with and without intraocular piggyback lens (IOL) implantation in dogs. A total of 25 dogs were divided into two groups: Group 1 (with IOL implantation) and Group 2 (without IOL implantation). The performed surgical technique consisted of unilateral bimanual phaco-emulsification. Clinical assessment and intraocular pressure were measured before surgery (0) and at 3, 7, 14, 21, 28, 60 days after the surgery. Clinical assessment revealed inflammatory reaction more severe in dogs of G1 when compared to G2. Intraocular pressure did not differ significantly either between G1 and G2 or operated and non-operated eyes. Intraocular lens (IOL) implantation using piggyback technique with human IOL is a possible method to be performed in canine ophthalmology. However, nursing care is necessary as the the procedure induces inflammation and complications in the postoperative period.

Luxaçäo de vértebras lombares em cäes: nova técnica de estabilizaçäo / Luxation of lumbar vertebral bodies: a new surgical treatment

Os autores descrevem um método eficaz de fixaçäo da coluna lombar canina luxada, dorsal ou ventralmente, usando fio de aço inoxidável, através dos processos espinhosos dorsais das vértebras acometidas. O procedimento cirúrgico foi simples, de rápida execuçäo e pouco dispendioso; preservou ligamentos e estruturas ósseas relacionadas, bem como a curvatura normal da espinha