Identification of an ectopic periorbital lymph node in two horses.

Background: To describe the clinical presentation and treatment of an ectopic periorbital lymph node in two young horses. Case Description: Two warm-blood horses were presented at the equine clinic of the University of Liège with a periorbital non-painful mass. Differential diagnosis included neoplasm (lymphoma), (sterile) abscess, cyst, ectopic lacrimal gland tissue, hematoma, adipose tissue, or ectopic lymphoid tissue. Information collected included physical and ophthalmic examination findings, results of the ocular and periocular ultrasound, surgical procedure, histopathology, and follow-up. Masses of 2 × 2 cm and 3 × 2 cm subcutaneous, ovoid, smooth, and firm mass were observed in the zygomatic region of the head. On ultrasound, the mass appeared as a hypoechoic subcutaneous structure. Cytology showed a mixed lymphocytic cell population. No abnormal mitotic activity was observed. Histopathology revealed a chronic markedly reactive lymph node. Conclusion: To the authors' knowledge, this is the first description of periorbital ectopic lymph nodes in veterinary medicine. Ectopic lymph nodes should therefore be included in the differential diagnosis of periocular masses in animals. Surgery was easily performed and was curative.

Retinal detachment secondary to vitreoretinopathy in two closely related warmblood horses.

BACKGROUND: To describe the clinical, diagnostic imaging, and histopathological findings of two visually impaired closely related horses and to identify a possible cause. CASE DESCRIPTION: Two warmblood horses, with a common dam and sire, were presented to the ophthalmology department of Liège for investigation of impaired vision. Information collected included physical and ophthalmic examination findings, results of ocular ultrasound, electroretinogram, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and histopathology. Ophthalmic examination, ocular ultrasound and MRI revealed a complete retinal detachment (RD) in the left eye and vitreous synaeresis in both eyes of both horses. Electroretinograms showed a normal response in both right eyes but a total loss of the retinal response in their left eyes. Histopathologic examination revealed multifocal retinal dysplasia in both left eyes. CONCLUSION: In these two horses, RD has likely been caused by the congenital posterior segment abnormalities of the vitreous and the retina. A vitreoretinopathy is highly suspected and is possibly hereditary in these closely related siblings.

Onset and duration of cis-atracurium neuromuscular block during fentanyl and lidocaine infusions in isoflurane-anaesthetised dogs.

BACKGROUND: This retrospective study assessed the onset and duration of the neuromuscular block (NMB) induced by cis-atracurium 0.15 mg/kg intravenously with and without fentanyl or lidocaine infusions in 45 isoflurane-anaesthetised dogs. METHODS: Dogs with neuromuscular function assessed by a calibrated train-of-four (TOF) monitor with stimulation (every 13 s) of the peroneal nerve were included. The onset and duration of the NMB were defined as the time from cis-atracurium administration until TOF=0 and the time during TOF=0 display, respectively. RESULTS: The NMB onset was shorter during fentanyl (mean±sd) (1.9±0.7 minutes; P=0.0042) and lidocaine (2.0±0.7 minutes; P=0.0154) compared with control (2.9±0.8 minutes). The NMB duration was shorter in the fentanyl (27.5±7.3 minutes; P=0.0491), but not in the lidocaine group (32.3±6.9 minutes; P=0.0790), compared with control (33.7±9.1 minutes). The NMB onset was poorly but significantly correlated with the dose of fentanyl and lidocaine administered before cis-atracurium (r=-0.3396; P=0.0225). The fentanyl and lidocaine groups received more crystalloid and colloid boluses than the control. CONCLUSIONS: Fentanyl and lidocaine shortened the NMB onset and the former decreased the NMB duration. Further prospective studies are required to clarify whether this was associated with an indirect decrease in blood pressure or a direct interaction between cis-atracurium and fentanyl and lidocaine.

Use of Nasotracheal Intubation during General Anesthesia in Two Ponies with Tracheal Collapse.

Ponies with tracheal collapse may have an increased anesthetic risk due to airway obstruction during induction and recovery. To our knowledge, there are no anesthetic descriptions of these patients, despite a reported 5.6% incidence and 77% mortality rate. Two Shetland ponies with tracheal collapse, a 12-year-old male (pony 1) and a 27-year-old female (pony 2), were referred for right eye enucleation due to a perforating corneal ulcer and severe recurrent uveitis, respectively. Pony 1 was stressed, had lung stridor and hyperthermia, and developed inspiratory dyspnea with handling. Radiography confirmed collapse of the entire trachea as well as inflammation of the lower airways. Corticosteroids and bronchodilators were administered by nebulization for 1 week before surgery. Pony 2 had a grade III/VI mitral murmur and a clinical history of esophageal obstructions and tracheal collapse requiring tracheostomy. Both ponies were premedicated with acepromazine and xylazine; anesthesia was induced with midazolam and ketamine. Nasotracheal intubation was performed in left lateral recumbency with extension of the neck and head and was guided by capnography. The nasotracheal tube consisted of two endotracheal tubes attached end-to-end to create a tube of adequate length and diameter. Pony 2 was orotracheally intubated during surgery and later reintubated with a nasotracheal tube. Anesthesia was maintained with isoflurane using volume-controlled ventilation. Analgesia was provided by a retrobulbar blockade with mepivacaine and lidocaine. Cardiovascular support consisted of lactated Ringer's solution and dobutamine. After surgery, the ponies were administered xylazine and supplemented with oxygen through the nasotracheal tube. Recovery was assisted by manual support of the head and tail. Successful extubation was achieved following butorphanol administration after approximately 1 h in standing position. Both ponies were discharged from the clinic a few days after surgery.