A Modified Schirmer Tear Test in Clinically Normal Horses: Measurement at 30 Seconds versus 60 Seconds.

This study sought to compare the Schirmer Tear Test (STT)-1 results at 30 (STT30) versus 60 (STT60) seconds in healthy horses. This study included a total of 56 healthy horses. STT-1 was performed in both eyes, right eye first, and the wetting lengths were measured in STT30 and STT60. To evaluate the reduction of the initial reflex phase, the wetting length velocity was measured during the first 30 seconds. The effects of eye, age, weight, sex, and ambient temperature and humidity on STT values were evaluated. Mean (standard deviation) STT30 and STT60 were 19.06 (3.88) and 24.26 (4.50) mm. There was a linear correlation between the STT 30 and STT60, expressed according to the following equation: STT60 = 2.20 + 1.18 × STT30 (P = .001). STT30 or STT60 values did not vary between the sexes or correlate with age, weight, ambient temperature, or humidity. In conclusion, STT30 allows for an accurate, reliable, and applicable diagnosis of tear production compared with the standard STT60 value. The proposed method is shorter and may be a suitable alternative to the 1-min test.

Comparison of central corneal thickness in dogs measured by ultrasound pachymetry and ultrasound biomicroscopy.

Ultrasound pachymetry (UP) is currently the most common technique used to evaluate central corneal thickness (CCT). New devices which allow assessment of CCT without corneal contact have been compared, but there are discrepancies among instruments. The aim of this study was to compare CCT measurements obtained by UP and ultrasound biomicroscopy (UBM) in 28 eyes of 14 healthy Beagles dogs. Mean CCT±standard deviation (SD) were 552±63µm for UP and 551±55µm for UBM. UBM showed both a fixed and proportional bias when compared to ultrasound pachymetry, but this was not considered to be clinically important. Measured CCT did not differ between UP and UBM (P=0.796). The intra-class correlation coefficient indicated a strong agreement between methods (0.990). The CCT measurements between left (548±61µm) and right (555±59µm) eyes did not differ (P=0.760). Male dogs had higher CCT measurements than female dogs (P=0.038).

Diurnal variations in intraocular pressure and central corneal thickness and the correlation between these factors in dogs.

OBJECTIVE: To study the diurnal variation in intraocular pressure (IOP) and central corneal thickness (CCT) in healthy Beagles by rebound tonometry and ultrasonic pachymetry, respectively, in addition to determining whether a correlation exists between these two variables. ANIMALS STUDIED: Twenty eyes from 10 healthy Beagle dogs were included in the study. PROCEDURES: The IOP and CCT were measured by rebound tonometry and ultrasonic pachymetry, respectively, at 2-h intervals over an 8-hour period between 10:00 and 18:00. RESULTS: The mean values (± SD) of IOP obtained were 11.45 ± 2.96 at 10:00, 10.00 ± 1.89 at 12:00, 8.25 ± 1.62 at 14:00, 7.05 ± 1.05 at 16:00, and 6.55 ± 1.36 at 18:00. The mean values (± SD) of CCT obtained were 554.95 ± 72.41 at 10:00, 549.20 ± 69.10 at 12:00, 566.15 ± 80.56 at 14:00, 545.45 ± 70.19 at 16:00, and 538.30 ± 73.33 at 18:00. The IOP and CCT of dogs were found to decrease progressively from the first to the last measurement. There were statistically significant differences between the IOP (P = 0.000) and CCT values (P = 0.032) measured at different times of the day. There was no effect or interaction between gender and eye with the dependent variables. The IOP and CCT were found to be positively correlated (r = 0.213, P = 0.034). The regression equation demonstrated that for every 100 µm increase in CCT, there was an elevation in IOP by 0.8 mmHg. CONCLUSIONS: The CCT and IOP values were lower in the afternoon/evening than in the morning, and these were positively correlated. Both findings are important for the diagnostic interpretation of IOP values in dogs.

Uncommon acute neurologic presentation of canine distemper in 4 adult dogs.

Four uncommon cases of canine distemper (CD) were diagnosed in vaccinated adult dogs. All dogs had acute onset of neurologic signs, including seizures, abnormal mentation, ataxia, and proprioceptive deficits. Polymerase chain reaction for CD virus was positive on cerebrospinal fluid in 2 cases. Due to rapid deterioration the dogs were euthanized and CD was confirmed by postmortem examination.

Rare présentation neurologique aiguë de la maladie de Carré chez 4 chiens adultes. Quatre cas peu communs de maladie de Carré chez des chiens adultes vaccinés. Tous les cas ont présenté un début aigu ou suraigu des signes neurologiques, comportant principalement des crises épileptiques, altération de l'état mental, ataxie, et déficits proprioceptifs. Dans deux cas, la PCR a été positive à la maladie de Carré dans le liquide céphalorachidien. En raison de la progression rapide des signes, les chiens ont été euthanasiés et la maladie de Carré confirmée par la nécropsie.(Traduit par Ana Roman).