Iris aneurysm in feline hypertensive oculopathy.

OBJECTIVE: To describe and document the prevalence and cause of iris aneurysm in feline hypertensive oculopathy. ANIMALS STUDIED: Privately owned cats with systemic hypertension presented for sudden visual deficits and/or hyphema. PROCEDURES: A retrospective search of medical records of cats with systemic hypertension was performed in a specialized eye practice from October 2001 to August 2016. Inclusion criteria used for further evaluation were (1) systolic blood pressure exceeding 170 mm Hg measured by Doppler ultrasound, (2) typical fundus changes consistent with systemic hypertension (retinal folds, retinal edema, intraretinal bullous fluid accumulation, retinal detachment-partial or total, intra-/preretinal bleeding) in at least one eye, and (3) at least one follow-up visit with documented response to therapy with amlodipine. Cats with bilateral hyphema were excluded. RESULTS: A total of 206 cats fulfilled the inclusion criteria. Twenty-eight cats (14%) showed an aneurysm of the iridal vessels, 21 75% with some amount of hyphema. In total, hyphema was present in 62 cats (30%). Pearson correlation of fundus changes, hyphema, and aneurysm was performed. A high correlation between fundus changes without posterior segment hemorrhage and hyphema was found. The histopathology of one eye showed iridial vascular changes compatible with an aneurysm. In 75 cats, additional blood analysis was performed. Presumed chronic kidney disease (80%) was the most common cause of systemic hypertension with eye disease, followed by hyperthyroidism (20%). CONCLUSION: Vascular changes of the iris compatible with aneurysms were seen in 14% of cats with systemic hypertension and may result in vascular rupture and acute hyphema.

Five cases of pigmented paravenous retinochoroidal atrophy in dogs.

OBJECTIVE: To describe a funduscopic finding in dogs that is referred to as Pigmented Paravenous Retinochoroidal Atrophy (PPRCA). ANIMALS STUDIED: Over a period of 24 years of ophthalmological practice, five cases of a characteristic paravenous retinal atrophy were observed in dogs. PROCEDURES: A comprehensive clinical ophthalmological examination in all five dogs was complemented by abdominal sonography (cases 1, 3), clinical pathology analysis (cases 1, 3, 4), and a histological examination of both bulbi, kidneys, spleen, and liver in one dog (case 1). RESULTS: Localized hyper-reflectivity in the tapetal fundus was observed in all five dogs and demonstrated a characteristic perivascular distribution along some peripheral retinal blood vessels. In these areas, geographic copper-brown coloration that tended to become darker with time was seen. Ophthalmoscopic signs of inflammation were lacking. The funduscopic abnormalities slowly progressed in size over years. Visual impairment could not be detected. Histopathology in one dog revealed severe retinal atrophy with multifocal perivascular distribution, mainly affecting the tapetal fundus and occasionally expanding into the nontapetal fundus. CONCLUSIONS: The described retinal lesions bear similarities with PPRCA in humans. As in humans, it appears to be an incidental funduscopic finding that is not associated with obvious vision impairment.

Intraocular ALλ amyloidoma with plasma cell neoplasia in a cat.

An 11-year-old, neutered male domestic short-hair cat was presented with buphthalmos of the right eye and diagnosed with advanced glaucoma. Sonographic examination revealed an iridial thickening. Neoplasia was suspected and an enucleation was performed. Histopathology of the enucleated eye revealed abundant amyloid deposition predominantly in the anterior uveal tract accompanied by few to moderate numbers of well-differentiated plasma cells. The amyloid deposits were identified by staining with Congo red and showing green birefringence under polarized light. Immunohistochemically, amyloid and plasma cells stained intensely only with anti-ALλ antibody, supporting the amyloid tumor being an immunoglobulin-λ-light chain origin. Additional abnormalities included narrowing of the filtration angle and collapse of the ciliary cleft, and trabecular meshwork. One year post-enucleation, the cat was still healthy without signs of systemic amyloidosis or apparent metastatic disease. This is the first report of a cat with noncutaneous extramedullary plasmacytoma originating in the anterior uveal tract with resulting local amyloid.

TGF-ß1 serum concentrations and receptor expressions in the lens capsular of dogs with diabetes mellitus.

Tissue fibrosis as complication of diabetes mellitus is known in humans. Because TGF-ß1induces fibrosis and is elevated in humans suffering from diabetes mellitus we measured this growth factor in serum of dogs with diabetes mellitus and compared it with healthy dogs and those with fibrotic diseases. Further we measured the expression of TGF-ß1receptor on lens capsule to investigate possible association between diabetes mellitus and cataract associated alterations. TGF-ß1 was measured in serum of 12 dogs with diabetes mellitus, 20 healthy controls and 12 dogs with fibrotic diseases. Dogs with diabetes mellitus and fibrotic diseases have significantly increased TGF-ß1 serum concentrations compared to healthy controls. Some dogs with diabetes mellitus showed increased expression of TGF-ß1 receptor in lens capsule. Based on our observations we can conclude that TGF-ß1 elevation in dogs with diabetes mellitus may induces complications of the disease and may participates on lens alteration.

Mycotic endophthalmitis in a dog caused by Candida albicans.

A case of mycotic endophthalmitis in the dog caused by Candida albicans is presented. The 3-year-old dog had a history of bloody diarrhea 3 months previously. The dog presented with acute signs of unilateral panuveitis. Aqueocentesis, vitreocentesis, and routine blood tests were performed but did not contribute to the diagnosis. The posterior segment could not be visualized because of flare and fibrin. On day 7 ultrasonography showed retinal separation which progressed to vitreous compartmentalization and abscessation by day 14. Three weeks after onset, glaucoma developed and enucleation was performed. Histology revealed the yeast Candida to be the causative agent. Post-enucleation serum Candida antibody titer was 1 : 640 (human threshold 1 : 120), as determined by agglutination test. A relapse of enteric signs 3 months later led to the diagnosis of chronic lymphocytic enteritis. An hematogenous route of infection is suspected.