Use of autologous serum or Vizoovet to improve healing rates of spontaneous chronic corneal epithelial defects after diamond burr debridement in dogs.

PURPOSE: To determine whether the use of autologous serum or Vizoovet® improved healing rates of spontaneous chronic corneal epithelial defects (SCCEDs) after diamond burr debridement (DBD) in dogs. STUDY DESIGN: Two parallel group randomized prospective study with a historical control group. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Canine patients having undergone DBD for treatment of SCCEDs were included. Data for the control group (ofloxacin only) were gathered from patient records. Patients were randomly assigned to treatment groups for post-procedural medical treatments of ofloxacin and autologous serum (group 1) or ofloxacin and Vizoovet®, an all-natural eyed drop containing propolis, aloe vera, and chamomile (group 2). Each dog was examined between 2 and 3 weeks until the cornea was fluorescein stain negative. Data points collected included age, sex, breed, type of medications used, retention of bandage contact lens (BCL), time to healing, and number of DBD performed. RESULTS: A total of 120 dogs, each contributing one eye to the study, underwent DBD for SCCEDs. Mean (± standard deviation) days until healed were 20.1 ± 11.1 days, 16.3 ± 4.5 days, and 16.0 ± 3.7 days for the control group, group 1, and group 2, respectively. There was a marginally significant difference in days until healed between groups (p = .0515). SCCEDs healed significantly faster in group 2 (p = .03) and marginally faster in group 1 (p = .06) compared with the control group. Days until healing between group 1 and 2 were not significantly different (p = .76). CONCLUSIONS: As compared to the control group, use of Vizoovet® as adjunctive medical treatment resulted in shorter corneal healing time after DBD.

Efficacy of adjunctive therapy using Vizoovet in improving clinical signs of keratoconjunctivitis sicca in dogs: A pilot study.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the clinical safety and efficacy of adjunctive therapy using Vizoovet to ameliorate clinical signs of keratoconjunctivitis sicca (KCS) in dogs. ANIMALS STUDIED: Twenty client-owned dogs. PROCEDURES: Canine patients diagnosed with KCS were enrolled in this prospective study. Patients were randomly selected to receive either Vizoovet or GenTeal drops twice daily in addition to twice daily tacrolimus 0.03% solution. Data were collected from only one eye of each patient and included STT-1, IOP, TFBUT, and results of objective clinical scoring performed by pet owners. Statistical significance was set at P ≤ .05. RESULTS: In all, 20 dogs (20 eyes) were enrolled in this prospective randomized study. Females (n = 12; 60%) outnumbered males (n = 8; 40%) and all dogs were spayed/neutered. Mean age of all dogs was 10.6 ± 3.79 years. In both treatment groups, the improvement in STT-1 values over the course of the study was significant (P = .002). When comparing the STT-1 improvements between groups, no significance was found (P = .78). In both groups, the improvement in TFBUT was significant (P = .0018). When comparing the TFBUT improvements between groups, no significance was found (P = .14). Squinting, rubbing, ocular discharge, and medication administration scores all significantly improved throughout the course of the study; however, they did not differ significantly between groups. Throughout the study, no adverse side effects were noted clinically or by the pet owner in either group. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Adjunctive treatment with Vizoovet was as safe and effective as GenTeal drops at improving clinical signs of dry eye in dogs.

Effect of orally administered melatonin on intraocular pressure of ophthalmologically normal dogs.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the effect of orally administered melatonin on the intraocular pressure (IOP) of ophthalmologically normal dogs. ANIMALS: 20 ophthalmologically normal dogs (40 eyes). PROCEDURES: In a randomized crossover study, each dog received a 7-day regimen of melatonin (0.1 to 0.2 mg/kg, PO, q 12 h) and a placebo (150 mg of lactose powder in a capsule, PO, q 12 h), with a 7-day washout period between treatment regimens. Rebound tonometry was used to measure the IOP in both eyes of each dog 5 times at 2-hour intervals on days 0 (before administration of the first dose), 2, 4, and 7 (after administration of the last dose) of each treatment period. Repeated-measures ANOVA was used to evaluate the effects of treatment, day, and IOP measurement time within day on IOP. RESULTS: Intraocular pressure was not significantly associated with treatment but was associated with day and the interaction between day and IOP measurement time within day. The mean ± SD IOP was 14.26 ± 2.95 and 14.34 ± 2.69 mm Hg for the melatonin and placebo regimens, respectively. Within each treatment period, the mean IOP tended to decrease from day 0 to 7 as well as within each day, which was attributed to the dogs becoming acclimated to the study protocol and natural diurnal variations in IOP. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Results indicated that oral administration of melatonin (0.1 to 0.2 mg/kg, q 12 h for 7 d) did not significantly affect the IOP of ophthalmologically normal dogs.

Intraocular pressure reference intervals in eyes of clinically normal miniature donkeys (Equus africanus asinus).

PURPOSE: To determine intraocular pressure (IOP) reference intervals in eyes of healthy miniature donkeys (Equus africanus asinus) via rebound and applanation tonometry. METHODS: Complete ophthalmic and physical examinations were performed by board-certified veterinary ophthalmologists. Inclusion criteria for animals participating in this study were dictated by the American Society for Veterinary Clinical Pathology (ASVCP) reference interval guidelines. Intraocular pressure estimates (TonoVet® and TonoPen XL® ) were obtained in both eyes. Forty animals (San Angelo group) received intramuscular xylazine hydrochloride 10% and auriculopalpebral (AP) nerve blocks prior to obtaining measurements. Twenty-two animals (Austin group) received no sedation or AP block. Statistical analysis followed ASVCP reference interval guidelines. Analysis was performed using the software sas V9 (SAS Institute Inc., Cary, NC, USA). RESULTS: Fifty-seven (114 eyes) healthy miniature donkeys were included in this study. The mean IOP ± standard deviation (SD) was 25.75 ± 5.70 mm Hg for rebound tonometry with reference limits of 14.34 and 37.15. The mean IOP ± SD was 20.69 ± 5.06 mm Hg for applanation tonometry with reference limits of 12.82 and 33.38. No significant difference in IOP was found between the Austin and San Angelo groups (P = .34). A significant difference was noted between rebound and applanation IOP estimates (P < .0001) with rebound tonometric values being higher. CONCLUSIONS: Reference intervals for IOP's were established for this species. Intraocular pressure readings obtained by the rebound tonometer were significantly higher than with applanation. Sedation and AP block did not affect IOP estimates.

Schirmer tear test I in dogs: results comparing placement in the ventral vs. dorsal conjunctival fornix.

OBJECTIVE: To compare Schirmer tear test I (STT I) values obtained from placement of tear strips in the ventral and dorsal conjunctival fornices in dogs. PROCEDURE: Schirmer tear test I was performed on each eye of 16 clinically normal dogs (32 eyes) in a crossover study. Initial tear strip placement site was randomized for each eye. Alternative placement site measurements were obtained after 1 week. RESULTS: The mean (± standard deviation, SD) STT I for dorsal and ventral conjunctival fornices was 20.44 (±4.46) mm/min and 23.56 (±3.98) mm/min, respectively. STT I values obtained from the ventral conjunctival fornix were significantly greater than those obtained from the dorsal conjunctival fornix (P = 0.004). CONCLUSIONS: Schirmer tear test I values were significantly greater with tear strips placed in the ventral conjunctival fornix.

Effect of prophylactic topical hypotensive medications in reducing the incidence of postoperative ocular hypertension after phacoemulsification in dogs.

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether topical hypotensive medications prevent postoperative ocular hypertension (POH) after phacoemulsification. ANIMALS STUDIED: 52 client-owned dogs (88 eyes). PROCEDURES: Diabetic and nondiabetic dogs having undergone phacoemulsification were included in this retrospective study. The control group received no ocular hypotensive medications. The treatment groups received latanoprost, dorzolamide, or dorzolamide/timolol, beginning immediately after surgery, for 2-week duration. IOPs were obtained at initial examination followed by 4 h, 24 h, 7 days, and 14 days postoperatively. POH was defined as an IOP above 20 mmHg (POH20) or 25 mmHg (POH25). RESULTS: POH20 occurred in 33 of 87 eyes (37.93%), including 11 of 21 eyes (52.38%) in the control group, three of 23 eyes (13.04%) in the latanoprost group, eight of 15 eyes (53.33%) in the dorzolamide group, and 11 of 28 eyes (39.29%) in the dorzolamide/timolol group. Active treatment groups were compared to the control group, and the overall group effect was not significant (P = 0.11). POH25 occurred in 22 of 86 eyes (25.58%), including seven of 21 eyes (33.33%) in the control group, two of 23 eyes (8.70%) in the latanoprost group, five of 15 eyes (33.33%) in the dorzolamide group, and eight of 27 eyes (29.63%) in the dorzolamide/timolol group. Active treatment groups were compared to the control group, and the overall group effect was not significant (P = 0.31). Intraoperative use of intracameral tissue plasminogen activator significantly decreased the chances of POH25 (P = 0.0063). CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: The latanoprost group had a substantially lower percentage of POH 20 and POH25 compared to the control and other active treatment groups, although statistical significance was not achieved. Intraoperative intracameral tissue plasminogen activator decreased the incidence of POH25.

Effect of bandage contact lens wear and postoperative medical therapies on corneal healing rate after diamond burr debridement in dogs.

PURPOSE: To determine the effect of bandage contact lens wear and type of post-operative medical treatment on corneal healing rates in dogs after diamond burr debridement. ANIMALS STUDIED: 237 client-owned dogs. PROCEDURES: Canine patients having undergone diamond burr debridement (DBD) for treatment of spontaneous chronic corneal epithelial defects (SCCEDs) were included. Patients were put into 1 of 12 different groups based on type of postoperative medical regimen and whether a bandage contact lens (BCL) was utilized. Each dog was examined on a routine basis until the cornea was fluorescein negative. Data points collected included age, sex, breed, diabetic status, eye affected, Schirmer tear test 1, rebound tonometry, type and frequency of topical antibiotic, use of topical sodium chloride, use and retention of BCL, and days until healed. RESULTS: A total of 237 dogs, each contributing one eye to the study, underwent DBD for SCCEDs. All eyes treated had estimated median ± standard error (SE) days to heal of 9.37 ± 0.42 days. When sodium chloride and BCL were utilized, ofloxacin had a significantly shorter median healing time when compared to oxytetracycline (adjusted P = 0.0158) and tobramycin (adjusted P = 0.0261). BCL use significantly improved healing times (P = 0.0002). Overall BCL retention rate was 62.02% (80 of 129). PureVision lenses were retained more often compared to Acrivet lenses (P < 0.0001). Overall, BCL retention significantly improved healing rates (P = <0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: Postdebridement antibiotic type or use of sodium chloride ointment had minor effects on healing rates. Bandage contact lens use and retention significantly improves healing times.

Third eyelid gland neoplasms of dogs and cats: a retrospective histopathologic study of 145 cases.

PURPOSE: To describe the various types of primary neoplasms affecting the third eyelid (TEL) gland of dogs and cats. METHODS: A retrospective search of the Comparative Ocular Pathology Laboratory of Wisconsin (COPLOW) database was performed. Veterinary ophthalmologists, primary care veterinarians, and, when appropriate, owners were contacted for patient follow-up information. Patient data points collected included species, age, sex, breed, laterality, tumor type, surgical margins, recurrence, metastasis, and length of follow-up. RESULTS: A total of 127 canine and 18 feline cases met the inclusion criteria. The most common canine TEL gland tumor was adenocarcinoma (n = 108; 85.0%) followed by adenoma (n = 18; 14.2%) and squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) (n = 1; 0.8%). For canine cases with follow-up information available (n = 62), 8.1% had confirmed or suspected metastasis and 11.3% had confirmed or suspected local recurrence of disease. The most common feline TEL gland tumor was adenocarcinoma (n = 15; 83.3%) followed by SCC (n = 3; 16.7%). For feline cases with follow-up information available (n = 9), 40.0% had confirmed or suspected metastasis and 30.0% had confirmed or suspected local recurrence of disease. CONCLUSIONS: This study determined that adenocarcinoma was the most common third eyelid gland tumor in both dogs and cats. The overall survival times were less, and metastatic occurrence and recurrence rates appeared to be higher for feline tumors as compared to those diagnosed in dogs. This is the first report of SCC originating from glandular ductular epithelium.

Efficacy of prophylactic antiglaucoma and anti-inflammatory medications in canine primary angle-closure glaucoma: a multicenter retrospective study (2004-2012).

PURPOSE: To evaluate long-term efficacy of antiglaucoma medications with or without combined topical anti-inflammatory treatment in preventing increased intraocular pressure and clinical signs of glaucoma in eyes considered at risk of the development of the disease. METHODS: Retrospective analysis identified 88 canine patients presenting with unilateral acute congestive primary angle-closure glaucoma (IOP > 25 mm Hg) and gonioscopic findings of pectinate ligament dysplasia and/or narrow or closed iridocorneal angle in the contralateral nonglaucomatous eye. Patients with histopathologic confirmation of pectinate ligament dysplasia or angle closure in the initial glaucomatous eye receiving prophylactic medical therapy in the contralateral eye were included. Time to medical failure for each antiglaucoma medication and efficacy of the combination therapy were evaluated. RESULTS: The most commonly affected pure-breds were the American Cocker Spaniel (20.4%) and Basset Hound (11.36%). The patients receiving demecarium bromide 0.125% had the longest estimated median time to medical failure at 330.0 days, followed by latanoprost 0.005%, dorzolamide hydrochloride 2.0%, and demecarium bromide 0.25% at 284.0 days, 272.5 days, and 143.0 days, respectively. The estimated median time to medical failure for patients receiving topical antiglaucoma and anti-inflammatory medication was 324.0 days versus 195.0 days in patients receiving antiglaucoma medication alone. Survival analysis showed no statistical significance. CONCLUSIONS: None of the four antiglaucoma medications evaluated statistically delayed medical failure when compared to each other. Although significance was not achieved, our data suggest that adjunctive use of topical anti-inflammatory medications may be beneficial in these cases.

Presumptive electric cataracts in a Great Horned owl (Bubo virginianus).

This case report describes suspected electrocution in a juvenile female Great Horned owl (Bubo virginianus) with subsequent bilateral cataract formation. The bird flew into a high-voltage power line and was immediately rescued. Burn wounds of the head and ataxia with apparent blindness were noted. Initial ophthalmic examination 5 days after the incident revealed bilaterally symmetrical anterior subcapsular vacuolar cataracts with absence of intraocular inflammation and a predominantly clear view to the normal appearing fundus. The bird appeared to be nonvisual. No ophthalmic medications were prescribed at initial examination. Subsequent recheck examination at 8 weeks revealed moderate resolution of the cataracts and improved vision. To the authors' knowledge, this is the first published report of suspected electric cataracts in an avian species.

An unusual case of ocular melanosis and limbal melanocytoma with benign intraorbital extension in a dog.

This case report describes concurrent ocular melanosis and limbal melanocytoma in a 6-year-old Golden Retriever dog. Three years prior, the pet was examined for progressive corneal pigmentation and started on topical Tacrolimus but was subsequently lost to followup. Current ophthalmic examination revealed a large pigmented limbal mass and severe corneal pigmentation of the left eye as well as a small focal raised pigmented mass of the right third eyelid. Due to extent and rapidity of tumor growth, the left eye was removed via transconjunctival enucleation and submitted for histopathologic examination. At the time of surgery, numerous orbital structures including intraorbital fat, extraocular muscles, and portions of the proximal nasolacrimal drainage apparatus contained multifocal areas of black pigmentation. These tissues were subsequently removed and submitted for microscopic analysis. The pigmented mass of the right third eyelid was also excised. Histopathology of the left eye and orbital contents revealed a limbal melanocytoma extending to the bulbar conjunctiva and orbital space forming a large, markedly necrotic mass. Diffuse, severe ocular melanosis, abnormal stromal pigmentation of the sclera and orbital tissues, and corneal stromal pigmentation were noted. The mass of the right third eyelid was confirmed to be a conjunctival melanocytoma. To the authors' knowledge, this is the first report of concurrent ocular melanosis and limbal melanocytoma with orbital infiltration. The peculiar multifocal distribution of melanocytes throughout ocular connective tissues may explain the development of multiple melanocytic lesions in this patient.

Magnetic resonance imaging susceptibility artifact due to pigmented intraorbital silicone prosthesis.

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings of two cases with intracranial disease and pigmented intraorbital prosthetics are presented. A brown prosthetic (Case 1) caused a significant magnetic susceptibility artifact, which necessitated removal to properly image the brain. The artifact observed on MRI images is likely due to ferromagnetic pigments used for coloring. A black prosthetic (Case 2) caused no imaging artifact. The carbon-based pigments used to color the black prosthetic implant do not appear to cause imaging artifact. The pigments currently used to color the brown pigmented orbital prostheses cause significant magnetic susceptibility artifact and may require removal to evaluate the brain and surrounding structures completely.

Modified evisceration technique in a golden eagle (Aquila chrysaetos).

Two different modified techniques have been described for enucleation in raptors, including the transaural approach and the globe-collapsing procedure. This case report describes an alternative, modified evisceration procedure in a mature female Golden Eagle (Aquila chrysaetos). The advantages of this procedure are decreased anesthetic time, ease of procedure, decreased risk of excessive traction of the optic nerve, decreased intraoperative orbital trauma, and preservation of the natural symmetry of the head. The major disadvantage of this procedure is that it does not allow complete histologic examination of the globe. Patients with intraocular infection or neoplasia, or significant orbital disease may be poor candidates for this technique.