Safety and accuracy of blind vs. ultrasound-guided dorsal retrobulbar nerve blocks in horses-A cadaveric study.

OBJECTIVE: There is limited knowledge regarding the safety and accuracy of ultrasound-guided retrobulbar nerve blocks in horses. The aim of this study was to compare these parameters between blind and ultrasound-guided injection techniques for the dorsal retrobulbar nerve block in horses. METHODS: Equine cadaver heads were used to inject the retrobulbar space with contrast medium (CM). Injections were performed either blindly based on anatomic landmarks (blind group, n = 44) or under ultrasonographic guidance (US-group, n = 44), equally divided between an experienced and unexperienced operator. Needle position and distribution of CM were assessed with computed tomography imaging and evaluated by a board-certified veterinary diagnostic imager blinded to the technique. Safety and accuracy of both techniques were compared. RESULTS: Ocular penetration was observed in two cases (n = 2/44) in the blind group but not in the US group (n = 0/44). No intrathecal, intraneural, or intravascular injections were seen in either group. Safety was significantly improved in the US group (p = .026). There was no statistically significant difference between the groups regarding the accuracy of the injection. Excellent accuracy was achieved more often with the ultrasound-guided technique (n = 11/22) than with the blind technique (n = 7/22) when performed by the unexperienced operator, but this difference was not statistically significant. CONCLUSION: To prevent globe-threatening complications and improve the safety of the injection, we recommend using the ultrasound-guided injection technique for the dorsal retrobulbar nerve block.

Study of congenital Morgagnian cataracts in Holstein calves.

Cataracts are focal to diffuse opacities of the eye lens causing impaired vision or complete blindness. For bilateral congenital cataracts in Red Holsteins a perfectly cosegregating mutation within the CPAMD8 gene (CPAMD8:g.5995966C>T) has been reported. We genotyped the CPAMD8:g.5995966C>T variant in Holstein calves affected by congenital bilateral congenital cataracts, their unaffected relatives and randomly selected herd mates. Ophthalmological examinations were performed in all affected individuals to confirm a congenital cataract. Whole genome sequencing was employed to screen variants in candidate genes for the Morgagnian cataract phenotype. In the present study, 3/35 cases were confirmed as homozygous mutated and 6/14 obligate carriers. Further 7/46 unaffected animals related with these cases were heterozygous mutated for the CPAMD8:g.5995966C>T variant. However 32 cases with a congenital cataract showed the wild type for the CPAMD8 variant. We did not identify variants in the candidate genes CPAMD8 and NID1 or in their close neighborhood as strongly associated with the congenital cataract phenotype in Holstein calves with the CPAMD8 wild type. In conclusion, the CPAMD8:g.5995966C>T variant is insufficient to explain the majority of Morgagnian congenital cataract phenotypes in Holsteins. It is very likely that congenital bilateral cataracts may be genetically heterogeneous and not yet known variants in genes other than CPAMD8 and NID1 are involved.

Evaluation of one- vs. two-layered closure after wedge excision of 43 eyelid tumors in dogs.

OBJECTIVE: The aim was to evaluate how two closure techniques after full-thickness V-shaped excision relate to wound recovery and how these techniques affect eyelid function and stability of the preocular tear film. ANIMALS STUDIED: Thirty-eight dogs with 43 eyelid tumors involving <25% of eyelid margin length were included in a prospective randomized trial. PROCEDURES: The method for wound closure was chosen randomly before the operation. In group A (n = 20), the wound was closed in one layer and in group B (n = 23) in two layers. The wound and eyelid structure were directly evaluated by slit-lamp biomicroscopy several times postoperatively. Eyelid function was indirectly evaluated by interferometry, noninvasive tear film breakup time (nTFBUT), and Schirmer's tear test at the last examination, 5 weeks to 19 months postoperatively. RESULTS: No significant differences were found in group A vs. B although slightly more cases with perfect alignment of the eyelid were seen in group B. In both groups, neither slit-lamp biomicroscopy, interferometry, nTFBUT, nor Schirmer's tear test revealed negative influence on the eyelid function by the previous surgery. Histologically, 29 of 32 tumors were diagnosed as meibomian gland adenomas. CONCLUSIONS: These results do not demonstrate a significant difference in wound recovery, eyelid structure, and function after wound closure in 1 vs. 2 layers.

Reference intervals for intraocular pressure measured by rebound tonometry in ten raptor species and factors affecting the intraocular pressure.

Intraocular pressure (IOP) was measured with the TonoVet rebound tonometer in 10 raptor species, and possible factors affecting IOP were investigated. A complete ophthalmic examination was performed, and IOP was assessed in 2 positions, upright and dorsal recumbency, in 237 birds belonging to the families Accipitridae, Falconidae, Strigidae, and Tytonidae. Mean IOP values of healthy eyes were calculated for each species, and differences between families, species, age, sex, left and right eye, as well as the 2 body positions were evaluated. Physiologic fluctuations of IOP were assessed by measuring IOP serially for 5 days at the same time of day in 15 birds of 3 species. Results showed IOP values varied by family and species, with the following mean IOP values (mm Hg +/- SD) determined: white-tailed sea eagle (Haliaeetus albicilla), 26.9 +/- 5.8; red kite (Milvus milvus), 13.0 +/- 5.5; northern goshawk (Accipiter gentilis), 18.3 +/- 3.8; Eurasian sparrowhawk (Accipiter nisus), 15.5 +/- 2.5; common buzzard (Buteo buteo), 26.9 +/- 7.0; common kestrel (Falco tinnunculus), 9.8 +/- 2.5; peregrine falcon, (Falco peregrinus), 12.7 +/- 5.8; tawny owl (Strix aluco), 9.4 +/- 4.1; long-eared owl (Asio otus), 7.8 +/- 3.2; and barn owl (Tyto alba), 10.8 +/- 3.8. No significant differences were found between sexes or between left and right eyes. In goshawks, common buzzards, and common kestrels, mean IOP was significantly lower in juvenile birds than it was in adult birds. Mean IOP differed significantly by body position in tawny owls (P = .01) and common buzzards (P = .04). By measuring IOP over several days, mean physiologic variations of +/- 2 mm Hg were detected. Differences in IOP between species and age groups should be considered when interpreting tonometric results. Physiologic fluctuations of IOP may occur and should not be misinterpreted. These results show that rebound tonometry is a useful diagnostic tool in measuring IOP in birds of prey because it provides rapid results and is well tolerated by birds.