A case of lipogranulomatous conjunctivitis in a horse.

OBJECTIVE: To describe a case of lipogranulomatous conjunctivitis in a horse. ANIMAL STUDIED: A client-owned 12-year-old Standardbred gelding presenting with chronic conjunctivitis and palpebral masses. METHODS: Complete ophthalmic examination, surgical excision, histopathology, and bacterial culture of biopsy samples were performed. RESULTS: Upper and lower eyelids of both eyes were affected, with multiple yellow-to-white nodules on the palpebral conjunctiva, adjacent to the eyelid margin. Nodule removal was achieved via partial tarsal plate excision. Histopathological examination revealed granulomatous inflammation and large droplets of presumed free lipid in the conjunctival lamina propria. The animal was diagnosed with lipogranulomatous conjunctivitis. No postoperative ocular discomfort was observed for months; however, 3 years later, new conjunctival nodules were noticed, requiring a second surgical procedure on three of the eyelids. Transient entropion in the left lower eyelid was observed 2 months after the second surgery, and no recurrence of conjunctival nodules was observed after 18 months of follow-up. CONCLUSION: To our knowledge, this is the first report of lipogranulomatous conjunctivitis in horses.

Epidemiology and clinical significance of canine distichiasis: A retrospective study of 291 cases.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the epidemiological factors and clinical significance of canine distichiasis. ANIMALS STUDIED: Two hundred and ninety-one client-owned dogs. METHODS: Retrospective study of medical records for canine patients diagnosed with distichiasis between 2010 and 2019 in an ophthalmology specialty practice. The breed, sex, skull conformation, coat type, age at the time of diagnosis, reason for presentation, clinical examination findings, and affected eyelid(s) were reviewed. RESULTS: The prevalence of distichiasis was 5.5% (95% confidence interval (CI): 4.9-6.1) in the population of dogs presented to an ophthalmology specialty practice. The breeds with the highest prevalence were English bulldogs (35.2%, 95% CI: 26.7-43.7) and American cocker spaniels (19.4%, 95% CI: 8.3-30.5). The prevalence was significantly higher in brachycephalic dogs (11.9%, 95% CI: 9.8-14.0) than in non-brachycephalic dogs (4.6%, 95% CI: 4.0-5.3) and in short-haired dogs (8.2%, 95% CI: 6.8-9.6) than in dogs with other coat types (5.3%, 95% CI: 4.5-6.1). Most dogs were affected bilaterally (63.6%, 95% CI: 58.0-69.1). Among dogs with clinical signs, 39.0% (95% CI: 26.5-51.4) exhibited corneal ulceration, including superficial ulcers (28.8%, 95% CI: 17.3-40.4) and deep stromal ulcers (10.2%, 95% CI: 2.5-17.8). Distichiasis was non-irritating in 85.0% (95% CI: 80.6-89.4) of affected dogs. CONCLUSION: This study reports the largest cohort of canine distichiasis to date. In a large proportion of dogs, distichiasis was a non-irritating condition. However, brachycephalic breeds, especially English bulldogs, were the most frequently and severely affected.