Ocular pathology in aquarium fish with a focus on the Syngnathidae and Apogonidae families.

This study catalogued ocular pathology in fish histopathology submissions to a specialist diagnostic service and investigated associations with species and systemic disease, with a focus on species of conservation interest. Cross-tabulations and Fisher's exact tests were used to identify associations among the variables and results are reported as prevalence ratios (PRs) with 95% confidence intervals (CI). Of 12,488 reports reviewed, ocular histology examination was available for 4,572 submissions, in which histopathological ocular lesions were identified in 18% (813/4572). Most diagnoses (701/813; 87%) were in marine fish. Inflammatory conditions were most common (608/813; 75%), with identification of a bacterial aetiology in 42% (255/608) and a parasitic aetiology in 30% (183/608). Most bacterial infections were due to mycobacteriosis (153/255; 60%) and most parasitic infections were due to scuticociliatosis (114/184; 62%). The Syngnathidae, Centriscidae and Cichlidae families were each more likely than all other families combined to be diagnosed with ocular manifestations of mycobacteriosis (PRs = 2.6, 4.4 and 2.9, respectively, P <0.0001 for each). The Syngnathidae were also more likely to be diagnosed with ocular scuticociliatosis (PR = 1.9, P <0.0001). Fifty-four percent (39/72) of ocular mycobacteriosis and 38% (9/24) of gas bubble disease cases affected threatened or near threatened Syngnathidae species. The Apogonidae were more likely than any other family to have ocular iridovirus (PR = 10.3, 95% CI = 5.5-19.4, P <0.0001) and neoplasia (PR = 8.2, 95% CI = 4.2-16.3, P <0.0001). The endangered Banggai cardinalfish (Pterapogon kauderni) accounted for 13/15 ocular iridovirus and 16/18 mycobacteriosis cases in this family. All cases of neoplasia in the Apogonidae occurred in pajama cardinalfish (Sphaeramia nematoptera). These results should inform clinical diagnosis of ocular disease in aquarium fish and influence training for aquarists, highlighting ocular pathology as a potential early warning of systemic disease. The findings also have direct/indirect consequences for the welfare and conservation of some of these popular flagship fish species.

Subpalpebral lavage placement for remote topical administration of ocular medications in 12 dogs: A retrospective review and assessment of owner perception.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to describe the placement of subpalpebral lavage (SPL) systems in 12 dogs (15 eyes) intolerant of topical ocular medications to assess the suitability, complications encountered and owner perception of use. ANIMALS STUDIED: Retrospective review of dogs that underwent SPL placement for treatment of ocular disease at the Ophthalmology Department, University of Bristol Small Animal Hospital between 2017 and 2021. PROCEDURE(S): Data recorded included signalment, history, diagnosis, treatment, reason for SPL placement, uni- or bilateral placement, duration of placement, complications, and outcome. Owner perception was assessed using an online questionnaire. Statistical analysis included McNemar and Wilcoxon signed-ranks tests. RESULTS: Twelve dogs (15 eyes) underwent SPL placement. Eleven owners completed the online questionnaire. Corneal ulceration was the most common disease requiring SPL placement (n = 13/15 eyes, 86.7%). Most cases received multimodal topical therapy (n = 9/15 eyes, 60.0%) via SPL. Owners administered medication 6.63 times daily via SPL (range 1-16 applications/day). All dogs requiring ongoing topical medication (n = 8/12, 66.7%) were trained to accept direct administration during SPL treatment. Statistically significant improvements in medication compliance, ease of application, and reduced perceived risk of iatrogenic ocular injury were reported by owners (p-value = .001, .004, and .031 respectively). Minor complications were infrequently reported but an excellent outcome was achieved for all eyes. CONCLUSION: Subpalpebral lavage placement provides a practical and safe solution for the provision of frequent multimodal ocular medication when treating patients with a challenging temperament.

A prospective, masked, randomized, controlled superiority study comparing the incidence of corneal injury following general anesthesia in dogs with two methods of corneal protection.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the incidence of corneal injury during general anesthesia (GA) and the immediate post-operative period in eyes protected with topical ocular lubricant alone with eyes protected with topical lubricant followed by complete eyelid closure using tape. ANIMALS STUDIED: One hundred client-owned dogs (200 eyes) undergoing GA for MRI scan. METHODS: Patients had ocular lubricant applied to both eyes upon induction of anesthesia. One eye was taped closed immediately after induction for the duration of anesthesia using Strappal® tape (BSN medical™; treatment group), and the other eye was not taped (control group). Eyes were randomly allocated to a treatment group. Ophthalmic examination was performed before and after anesthesia; the examiner was masked to eye treatment groups. Corneal injury was defined as corneal ulceration or corneal erosion. A McNemar's test was used to compare the incidence of corneal injury between groups. A paired-samples t-test was used to compare Schirmer-1 tear test (STT-1) readings between groups. RESULTS: Sixteen eyes (8%) developed corneal erosion. No corneal ulceration occurred. There was no significant difference between incidence of corneal erosion between groups (p = .454). There was a significant decrease in STT-1 readings following GA in both groups (p < .001), with no significant difference in STT-1 between groups (p = .687). No adverse effects of taping the eye closed were observed. CONCLUSION: Taping the eyes closed during GA had no additional benefit to the lubrication protocol used in this study.

Lacrimal bone agenesis in a dog.

A 20-month-old neutered male dachshund dog was referred because of a 10-week history of swelling close to the medial canthus of the left eye. Recurrence of the lesion and cytological appearance of the fluid content were suggestive of inflammation. Computed tomography revealed a triangular-shaped bone defect in the skull deep to the lesion. Computed tomography dacryocystography demonstrated contrast medium pooling within the maxillary recess and nasal cavity rather than filling the lacrimal duct. Lacrimal bone agenesis was diagnosed. Key clinical message: Congenital skull including lacrimal bone agenesis may be responsible for swelling of the medial canthus of the eye and computed tomography dacryocystography is helpful in making a diagnosis.

Agénésie de l'os lacrymal chez un chien. Un teckel mâle castré âgé de 20 mois a été référé en raison d'une histoire de 10 semaines d'enflure près du canthus médial de l'oeil gauche. La récidive de la lésion et l'aspect cytologique du contenu liquidien suggéraient une inflammation. La tomodensitométrie a révélé un défaut osseux de forme triangulaire dans le crâne profondément à la lésion. La dacryocystographie par tomodensitométrie a démontré une accumulation de produit de contraste dans la cavité maxillaire et la cavité nasale plutôt que de remplir le canal lacrymal. Une agénésie de l'os lacrymal a été diagnostiquée.Message clinique clé :Le crâne congénital, y compris l'agénésie de l'os lacrymal, peut être responsable de l'enflure du canthus médial de l'oeil et la dacryocystographie par tomodensitométrie est utile pour poser un diagnostic.(Traduit par Dr Serge Messier).