[Ocular thelaziosis in a dog in Germany - an autochthonous case?] / Okuläre Thelaziose bei einem Hund in Deutschland ­ ein autochthoner Fall?

Thelazia callipaeda is a vector-borne nematode transmitted by Phortica spp. (fruit flies) and one of the causes of mild to severe conjunctivitis and keratitis in dogs, cats, rabbits and humans. It has been formerly known as the oriental eye worm based on its geographic occurrence. By now, it has been shown to be endemic in several southern and eastern European countries as well as extending its geographic distribution further throughout Europe. In the present case report, T. callipaeda infection was diagnosed in a female dog from Germany. The dog was referred by a local veterinarian due to a treatment-resistant conjunctivitis. A comprehensive ophthalmologic examination revealed 3 adult eye worms in the conjunctival sac as well as on the bulbar side of the nictitating membrane of the left eye. These were identified by morphological features and molecular techniques as T. callipaeda and represented the primary cause of the dog's unilateral blepharospasm, hyperemic conjunctiva and epiphora. Treatment consisted of manual collection of the adult worms and the administration of moxidectin/imidacloprid as spot on (Advocate®, Bayer). All clinical signs resolved within one week after treatment. In Germany, ocular thelaziosis still represents a rare disease. Usually, it is diagnosed in cats and dogs either imported from abroad or accompanying the owners on holiday travels to endemic countries. The dog presented in this case report was born in Germany. Except for a one-week stay in the Netherlands 11 months before the symptoms began, it had never traveled abroad. Considering the prepatency of T. callipaeda, an autochthonous transmission in this case is highly probable.

Temporal horizontal H-figure sliding skin flap for central eyelid reconstructive surgery in dogs: a retrospective study.

OBJECTIVE: To describe a modified H-figure sliding skin flap for treating eyelid central neoplasms and to evaluate the cosmetic and functional results of this reconstructive blepharoplasty. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Eight dogs affected by eyelid neoplasia involving more than one-third of the central part of the margin underwent an en bloc rectangular surgical removal of the neoplasia. Reconstructive surgery was performed using a temporal horizontal H-figure sliding skin flap. RESULTS: At short-term follow-up visits, seven dogs showed no signs of ocular discomfort, whilst one exhibited mild blepharospasm and ocular discharge associated with partial necrosis of the flap. At the 60-day follow-up, all dogs showed good eyelid margin reconstruction and no signs of lagophthalmos or ocular discomfort. Secondary trichiasis was observed in one dog. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: The procedure allowed a well-positioned, fully mobile eyelid. The secondary trichiasis observed in one dog did not cause evident ocular discomfort at 6-month follow-up.

DEVELOPMENT OF RETROBULBAR AND AURICULOPALPEBRAL NERVE BLOCKS IN CALIFORNIA SEA LIONS (ZALOPHUS CALIFORNIANUS).

Eye lesions are commonly observed in pinnipeds. Clinical assessment is challenging because animals are often blepharospastic and under inhalant anesthesia the globe rotates ventrally, making observation difficult. Retrobulbar and auriculopalpebral nerve block techniques have been developed in other species to alleviate these difficulties and allow for a more thorough ophthalmic exam. Ocular nerve block techniques were developed for California sea lions (CSLs) (Zalophus californianus) using lidocaine hydrochloride 2%. To develop the retrobulbar block, a variety of needle sizes, anatomic approaches, and volumes of methylene blue were injected into the orbits of 10 CSL cadavers. An optimal technique, based on desired distribution of methylene blue dye into periocular muscles and tissues, was determined to be a two-point (ventrolateral and ventromedial) transpalpebral injection with a 20-ga, 1 1/2-inch needle. This technique was then tested using lidocaine on 26 anesthetized animals prior to euthanasia, and on one case with clinical ocular disease. A dose of 4 mg/kg of lidocaine was considered ideal, with positive results and minimal complications. The retrobulbar block had a 76.9% rate of success (using 4 mg/kg of lidocaine), which was defined as the globe returning at least halfway to its central orientation with mydriasis. No systemic adverse effects were noted with this technique. The auriculopalpebral nerve block was also adapted for CSLs from techniques described in dogs, cattle, and horses. Lidocaine was injected (2-3 ml) by subcutaneous infiltration lateral to the orbital rim, where the auriculopalpebral nerve branch courses over the zygomatic arch. This block was used in five blepharospastic animals that were anesthetized for ophthalmic examinations. The auriculopalpebral nerve block was successful in 60% of the cases, which was defined as reduction or elimination of blepharospasm for up to 3 hr. Success appeared to be dependent more on the location of injection rather than on the dose administered.

Successful treatment of distichiasis in a cat using transconjunctival electrocautery.

A 2-year-old male castrated Domestic Short-haired cat presented to the Ophthalmology Service at the Matthew J. Ryan Veterinary Hospital at the University of Pennsylvania for evaluation of chronic bilateral ocular discharge and blepharospasm. Initial ophthalmic examination revealed severe conjunctivitis and keratitis and the presence of upper eyelid distichiae bilaterally. Initial therapy for suspected feline herpesviral infection provided moderate, but not complete, resolution of the clinical signs. Over the subsequent year, the cat suffered from recurrent, severe, ulcerative keratitis in both eyes despite appropriate medical therapy. Approximately 13 months after the initial presentation, the distichiae were surgically removed using transconjunctival electrocautery, which resulted in complete resolution of the clinical signs. This report documents bilateral distichiasis in a cat, a condition that is considered rare in this species.

Radiotherapy for canine chronic superficial keratitis using soft X-rays (15 kV).

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of soft X-ray therapy in the treatment of refractory chronic superficial keratitis (CSK). ANIMALS STUDIED: Thirteen dogs with severe CSK, that had been refractory to prior medical and/or surgical therapy were treated with soft X-ray therapy. PROCEDURES: Both corneas of each dog were irradiated with soft X-rays (15 kV), to a total dose of 30 Gy, administered as two fractions over 48-96 h. Treatment was carried out under deep sedation in all dogs. Three dogs were treated by superficial lamellar keratectomy 48 h prior to radiotherapy. Changes in the extent of corneal pigmentation, pigment density and corneal vascularization were documented using a semi-quantitative grading scheme, schematic drawings and clinical photographs. RESULTS: Only minor, transient adverse effects of treatment, such as photophobia, epiphora and blepharitis were noted. Overall the effect of soft X-rays on the course of the keratitis was superior when compared to the effect of Sr-90 irradiation that had been determined in a previous study. CONCLUSION: Soft X-ray irradiation combined with keratectomy is a safe and effective new treatment option for severe and advanced CSK with significant visual impairment due to corneal pathology.

Secondary acute anterior uveitis with hyphema in a purpose-bred kitten.

The sudden onset of unilateral blepharospasm and hyphema, without evidence of corneal damage, initiated a thorough diagnostic work-up of an 11-wk-old purpose-bred intact male domestic shorthair kitten. Secondary acute anterior uveitis and hyphema were most likely due to trauma within the primary enclosure.

The use of botulinum toxin A for treatment of possible essential blepharospasm in a dog.

A 3-year-old Great Dane with bilateral possible essential blepharospasm resulting in ocular complications is described. Conservative treatment was not successful and the disease was treated with local injections of botulinum toxin A into the orbicularis oculi muscle. Blepharospasm disappeared completely 5 to 6 days after injection and did not reappear until 3 to 4 months later, at which time the injection was repeated. After several treatments over a period of more than 3 years no side effects have occured. Botulinum toxin A appeared to be effective in the treatment of essential blepharospasm in this dog.

Effects of 0.005% latanoprost solution on intraocular pressure in healthy dogs and cats.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate effects of daily topical ocular administration of latanoprost solution on intraocular pressure (IOP) in healthy cats and dogs. ANIMALS: 9 domestic shorthair cats and 14 dogs. PROCEDURE: Latanoprost solution (0.005%) was administered topically to 1 eye (treated) and vehicle to the other eye (control) of all animals once daily in the morning for 8 days. Intraocular pressure was measured twice daily for the 5 days preceding treatment, and IOP, pupillary diameter, conjunctival hyperemia, and blepharospasm were measured 0, 1, 6, and 12 hours after the first 4 treatments and 0 and 12 hours after the final 4 treatments. Measurements continued twice a day for 5 days after treatment was discontinued. Aqueous flare was measured once daily during and for 5 days after the treatment period. RESULTS: Intraocular pressure and pupillary diameter were significantly decreased in the treated eye of dogs, compared with the control eye. Mild conjunctival hyperemia was also detected, but severity did not differ significantly between eyes. Blepharospasm and aqueous flare were not detected in either eye. Intraocular pressure in cats was not significantly affected by treatment with latanoprost. However, pupillary diameter was significantly decreased in the treated eye, compared with the control eye. Conjunctival hyperemia, aqueous flare, and blepharospasm were not detected in either eye. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Once-daily topical ocular administration of latanoprost solution (0.005%) reduced IOP in healthy dogs without inducing adverse effects but did not affect IOP in healthy cats. Latanoprost may be useful for treating glaucoma in dogs.

Effect of topical pilocarpine treatment on tear production in dogs.

Tear production, evaluated every 2 hours from 8 AM to 8 PM by use of the Schirmer tear test over a 3-day period, was not significantly different between left and right eyes in 12 dogs. However, a significant diurnal pattern was evident. Tear production was lowest at midday and highest in the late afternoon/early evening. After pilocarpine HCl ophthalmic solution (0.25, 1.0, or 2.0%; 1 drop) was administered topically to the left eye of each dog at 7 AM on days 4, 6, and 8, respectively, tear production was determined for both eyes every 2 hours from 8 AM to 8 PM on the day of treatment. Analysis of tear values between eyes and between each eye's treatment and pretreatment values did not reveal significant change for the treated eye, but tear production was significantly less in the untreated eye, compared with its pretreatment values and with values in the treated eye. On day 10 (48 hours after the last treatment), tear production values were not significantly different between left and right eyes, and for both eyes, were not significantly different from the mean pretreatment tear production values. Topical application of 0.25, 1.0, or 2.0% pilocarpine HCl consistently caused blepharospasm, conjunctival hyperemia, and miosis of the treated eye, without significant increase in tear production. We concluded that topical application of pilocarpine, at the concentrations used, may have little value in treating disorders involving reduced tear production.

Treatment of acute ocular Moraxella bovis infections in calves with a parenterally administered long-acting oxytetracycline formulation.

Acute ocular Moraxella bovis infections were induced in the UV-irradiated eyes of 10 calves. Eight calves developed corneal ulcers in at least 1 eye and were used for the treatment experiment. One randomly selected group of 4 calves with corneal ulcers and M bovis infections in 7 eyes was given a long-acting oxytetracycline formulation in 2 IM dosages of 20 mg/kg of body weight each, 72 hours apart. The other 4 calves with corneal ulcers in 6 eyes and M bovis in all 8 eyes served as nontreated controls. Bilateral ocular cultures were obtained and clinical observations were made daily for 20 days after treatment. After administration of the long-acting drug, new ulcers did not develop in the treated calves, whereas 5 new ulcers developed in the control-group calves during this time. The average durations of increased lacrimation/ulcerated eye were 2 and 12 days after treatment in the treatment and control groups, respectively; the average durations of blepharospasm were 3 and 8 days, respectively. Moraxella bovis was not isolated from any of the eyes of the treatment-group calves for the first 6 days after the antibiotic was administered, but was isolated from 1 eye of 1 treated calf on posttreatment day 7 and daily thereafter, for a total of 14 positive cultures of 160 ocular cultures obtained from the treatment-group calves after treatment. The bacterium was isolated from all eyes and from 144 of 160 cultures from the control-group calves during this time.

Peripalpebral folds and entropion in a male crab-eating macaque (Macaca fascicularis).

Multiple peripalpebral folds were the cause of severe bilateral blepharospasm and epiphora in a male Macaca fascicularis. The inner-most fold resulted in entropion and irritative keratitis. The condition was corrected surgically.