Clinical and Clinico-Pathological Observations of the Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate in Dogs Affected by Leishmaniosis and Other Inflammatory Diseases.

The erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) has been used in canine medicine in several disorders, above all, to evaluate levels of inflammation. This study evaluated the ESR in canine leishmaniosis (CanL) and other inflammatory conditions. Three groups of dogs were examined: CanL affected dogs without clinical signs (INFECTED group, #25) or with clinical signs (SICK group, #43) and dogs affected by acute or acute-on-chronic conditions (OTHER DISEASE group, #65). The ESR was compared with acute phase proteins or reactants either positive or negative (leukogram, fibrinogen, iron, unsaturated iron binding capacity, ferritin, haptoglobin, and albumin) and immunological markers (gamma-globulins, IgG, and IgM). The ESR was higher in the SICK group than in the INFECTED group (median 39 vs. 11 mm/h; p < 0.0001), as well as in the OTHER DISEASE than in the INFECTED groups (median 41 vs. 11 mm/h; p < 0.0001). The ESR appeared outside the reference range for all dogs in the SICK and OTHER DISEASE groups and almost with similar values (mm/h; median 39, 95% CI 31-51 vs. 41, 95% CI 12-87; p > 0.05). The extent of changes in ESR can help to establish the severity of CanL and other inflammatory disorders. As a point-of-care test, the ESR can be used to screen dogs for unhealthy conditions, and its values correlate with the severity of any disease, including CanL.

Conjunctival Extramedullary Plasmacytoma in Dogs and a Cat: Clinical Characteristics and Histopathological Findings.

BACKGROUND: Extramedullary plasmacytoma (EMP) is a plasma cell tumor that is very rarely reported in ocular and adnexal tissue and is usually solitary and benign. METHODS: This study evaluated seven cases from different ophthalmology referrals submitted for histopathological analysis between 2013 and 2022. RESULTS: EMPs were diagnosed in a 9-year-old domestic short-haired cat and in six dogs (median age, 10 years): three English Cocker Spaniels, a Golden Retriever, a Maltese, and a Pinscher. EMPs affected the third eyelid conjunctiva in five cases (5/7), followed by the superior bulbar (1/7) and palpebral conjunctivae (1/7), respectively, and were presented mostly as well-defined, salmon-colored nodules. Histopathologically, the masses were composed of sheets and packets of round cells morphologically consistent with mature plasma cells with mild anisocytosis and anisokaryosis; mitosis and binucleated giant cells were rarely observed. Follow up for 6/7 cases ranged from 6 months to 2 years. No signs of recurrence or systemic involvement (multiple myeloma) were observed. CONCLUSIONS: EMP should be included in the differential diagnoses of canine and feline conjunctival masses. Staging recommendations should include multiple myeloma diagnostic evaluation. Our results suggest that primary conjunctival EMP does not appear to be locally aggressive and has low systemic involvement behavior. The local surgical excision alone or combined with cryotherapy should be curative.

Preventive measures of canine leishmaniosis in Italy: Attitudes of veterinarians based on a questionnaire.

There are several topical ectoparasiticides, drugs, supplements and vaccines that protect dogs against sand fly bites and/or reduce the risk of Leishmania infantum infection. This large variety of products and the absence of comparative studies mean that veterinarians are often faced with uncertainty. The aim of the study was to characterise the attitudes of veterinarians towards leishmaniosis prevention in client-owned dogs in Italy. A web-based questionnaire was prepared with 28 questions covering the working environment of veterinarians, advice given to owners regarding topical ectoparasiticides, advice on systemic prevention, and the use of diagnostic tests on which to base advice for prevention. The questionnaire was emailed to 9,426 veterinarians and answers were collected after 100 days. A total of 542 questionnaires were returned (response percentage 5.8 %): 54.8 % of the veterinarians considered their working area to be endemic, 29.3 % examined dogs from urban areas, and 42.3 % diagnosed ≥10 dogs/year with leishmaniosis. Those veterinarians who diagnosed ≥10 dogs/year with leishmaniosis were more likely to consider their working area to be endemic, whereas those who examined dogs mainly from urban areas were less likely to consider the area to be endemic. Veterinarians who considered the working area to be endemic were more prone to prescribe ectoparasiticides throughout the year, including collars and spot-on products and a combination of the two, vaccine alone or vaccine and domperidone combined, and used qualitative serological Leishmania tests. The attitude of veterinarians did not differ whether dogs were from urban or rural areas. In conclusion, veterinarians who consider their working area to be endemic or who frequently diagnose dogs with leishmaniosis tend to adopt more comprehensive strategies, and their attitudes are not influenced by the origin of the dogs: urban or rural. Overall, in Italy the attitudes of veterinarians in relation to canine leishmaniosis prevention appear to vary considerably.

Meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD), as diagnosed by non-contact infrared Meibography, in dogs with ocular surface disorders (OSD): a retrospective study.

BACKGROUND: Meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD) is one of the possible conditions underlying ocular surface disorders (OSD). Prevalence of MGD in dogs affected by OSD has not yet been reported. We aimed to evaluate the prevalence of MGD among OSD canine patients, which had been assessed by non-contact infrared meibography and interferometry, and to identify MGD associated factors that might guide its diagnosis. Medical records of canine patients examined for OSD between 2016 and 2019 were reviewed. The frequency of MGD was evaluated within different categories (skull conformation, gender, eye and STT-1). The putative MGD risk factors and frequency of MGD within grades of interferometry were evaluated in a regression analysis model and reported as odd ratios (ORs). RESULTS: One hundred fifty eyes from 81 dogs with OSD were included with median age 75 months (range 3-192) and female representation with 52%. MGD was present in 70% of the examined eyes. MGD risk was higher in males ORadj = 3.015 (95% CI: 1.395-6.514) (P = 0.005) and older patients ORadj = 1.207 (95% CI: 1.081-1.348) (P = 0.001). No significant differences were found between left and right eyes (P = 0.66) or between the two types of skull conformation (P = 0.477) and MGD presence. MGD was associated to the lowest lipid layer (LL) thickness, as assessed by interferometry (grade 0) OR = 16.00 (95% CI: 2.104-121.68) (P < 0.001). STT values were not significantly associated with the presence of MGD (P > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: MGD is a common underlying pathology in OSD. Being male and higher age are risk factors for MGD. An interferometry grade 0 may guide OSD diagnosis towards MGD.

Bilateral phacoemulsification and intraocular lens implantation in a young African lion (Panthera leo).

An 18-month-old intact female lioness (Panthera leo) was referred to the Clinica Veterinaria Roma Sud for evaluation of bilateral cataracts. Phacoemulsification and implantation of +30 diopter intraocular lens (IOL) were performed bilaterally. Seven years after surgery, the IOL remained centrally positioned and the patient had normal activity.

Phaco-émulsification bilatérale et implantation d'une lentille intra-oculaire chez une jeune lionne africaine (Panthera leo) . Une lionne entière âgée de 18 mois (Panthera leo) a été dirigée à la Clinica Veterinaria Roma Sud pour l'évaluation de cataractes bilatérales. La phaco-émulsification et l'implantation de lentilles intraoculaires dioptriques +30 (LID) ont été réalisées bilatéralement. Sept années après la chirurgie, les LID sont demeurées en position centrale et la patiente s'adonnait à des activités normales.(Traduit par Isabelle Vallières).

The combined use of surgical debulking and diode laser photocoagulation for limbal melanoma treatment: a retrospective study of 21 dogs.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate effectiveness and safety of debulking and diode laser photocoagulation (DPC) for the treatment of limbal melanoma (LM). PROCEDURE: Retrospective multi-institutional case series. Medical records of animals diagnosed with LM at the Centro Veterinario Specialistico (CVS) and at the Long Island Veterinary Specialists from 1994 to 2014 were retrieved. Signalment, location, extent of tumors, recurrence rate, and early and late complications were reported. Patient follow-up information was obtained from veterinary ophthalmologists, primary care veterinarians, and where appropriate, owners. RESULTS: Twenty-one eyes of 21 dogs (13 females and 8 males) were included in this study. The dogs' average age was 6 years (range: 7 months-11 years). The follow-up period ranged from 1-108 months (median 48 months) after the last DPC procedure. Long-term follow-up was obtained by telephone interviews in 6 of 20 cases and by clinical re-evaluations in 14 of 20 cases. The most common early complications were a moderate anterior uveitis and peripheral corneal edema (21/21 eyes). Late complications included corneal fibrosis and/or pigmentation (20/21). In one case, a severe bullous keratopathy associated with extensive corneal fibrosis was observed (1/21). One case was blind due to concurrent Sudden Acquired Retinal Degeneration (SARD). However, after surgery 2 of 20 eyes lost vision and one of these was enucleated. CONCLUSIONS: Debulking, in addition to diode laser photocoagulation, was technically straightforward to perform, minimally invasive, well tolerated, and highly successful in this case series.

Angiostrongylus vasorum in the eye: new case reports and a review of the literature.

BACKGROUND: Nematodes of the genus Angiostrongylus are important causes of potentially life-threatening diseases in several animal species and humans. Angiostrongylus vasorum affects the right ventricle of the heart and the pulmonary arteries in dogs, red foxes and other carnivores. The diagnosis of canine angiostrongylosis may be challenging due to the wide spectrum of clinical signs. Ocular manifestations have been seldom reported but have serious implications for patients. METHODS: The clinical history of three cases of infection with A. vasorum in dogs diagnosed in UK, France and Italy, was obtained from clinical records provided by the veterinary surgeons along with information on the diagnostic procedures and treatment. Nematodes collected from the eyes of infected dogs were morphologically identified to the species level and molecularly analysed by the amplification of the nuclear 18S rRNA gene. RESULTS: On admission, the dogs were presented with various degrees of ocular discomfort and hyphema because of the presence of a motile object in the eye. The three patients had ocular surgery during which nematodes were removed and subsequently morphologically and molecularly identified as two adult males and one female of A. vasorum. CONCLUSIONS: Three new cases of canine ocular angiostrongylosis are reported along with a review of other published clinical cases to improve the diagnosis and provide clinical recommendation for this parasitic condition. In addition, the significance of migratory patterns of larvae inside the host body is discussed. Veterinary healthcare workers should include canine angiostrongylosis in the differential diagnosis of ocular diseases.

Evaluation of intraocular pressure in conscious Hermann's tortoises (Testudo hermanni) by means of rebound tonometry.

OBJECTIVE: To determine intraocular pressure (IOP) in healthy Hermann's tortoises (Testudo hermanni). ANIMALS: 26 outdoor-housed Hermann's tortoises (13 males and 13 females); body weight ranged from 255 to 2,310 g, and age ranged from 4 to > 50 years. PROCEDURES: After a preliminary ophthalmic evaluation was performed, IOP was measured by means of a rebound tonometer in both eyes of each tortoise. Three measurements were obtained for each eye; successive measurements were obtained from alternate eyes. Each measurement was based on the mean of 6 values automatically provided by the rebound tonometer. Statistical analysis was used to evaluate correlations between variables and to identify sex- or size-related IOP variations, and changes in IOP over multiple measurements. RESULTS: Mean ± SEM IOP of the 52 eyes was 15.74 ± 0.20 mm Hg (range, 9 to 22 mm Hg). Results for t tests did not reveal significant differences in IOP between the right and left eyes or between males and females. A significant moderate negative correlation (r = -0.41; r(2) = 0.169) between IOP and body weight was detected. Results of repeated-measures ANOVA revealed a significant increase in IOP over multiple measurements. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Rebound tonometry was a practical and rapid means of determining IOP in small- to medium-sized tortoises that required minimal manual restraint of the animals. Establishing IOP values in healthy Hermann's tortoises will provide a reference frame for use during complete ophthalmic examinations, thus allowing clinicians to diagnose a broader spectrum of ocular pathological conditions in tortoises.

Use of a dermal biopsy punch for removal of ectopic cilia in dogs: 19 cases.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the use of a dermal biopsy punch for accurate and quick removal of ectopic cilia in dogs. ANIMALS STUDIED: This study reports the treatment of ectopic cilia detected in 12 dogs during the period from June 2002 to December 2004. Five cases were affected with ectopic cilia in the right eye, and five in the left eye, with two cases affected bilaterally. Nineteen ectopic cilia were detected in 12 dogs. PROCEDURE: The technique described in this study consists of using a 2-3-mm skin biopsy punch with the aid of an operating microscope. RESULTS: No recurrence was noted in any of the cases. The presurgical blepharospasm due to the presence of the cilia resolved as well as uneventful corneal healing of any associated corneal erosions or ulcers. CONCLUSIONS: This method offers a simple, practical alternative to the traditional scalpel procedure as described in the veterinary ophthalmic literature.