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Abstract: An 8‐year‐old castrated male Bichon Frise was presented to the Kansas State University Veterinary Health Center for evaluation of unilateral right‐sided exophthalmos, suspected secondary to a retrobulbar abscess. The dog had acutely developed right‐sided periorbital swelling, exophthalmos with pain on retropulsion, as well as multiple cutaneous exudative plaques on the feet and tail base. On ophthalmic examination, the dog also exhibited mild left‐sided exophthalmos with decreased, nonpainful retropulsion. Orbital ultrasound and CT were performed to evaluate the extent of bilateral orbital disease. Incisional biopsies were obtained from the affected right periorbital tissues and skin of the feet, and histopathology revealed severe neutrophilic inflammation of the dermis with no organisms detected. Histologic changes were consistent with sterile neutrophilic dermatosis. The dog achieved clinical remission following treatment with initial immunosuppressive doses of corticosteroids and subsequent long‐term maintenance therapy using oral cyclosporine. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective To identify conjunctival bacterial flora in healthy adult and newborn kid goats in the Midwestern United States and to compare vaginal and ocular surface flora in dam-kid pairs. Animals studied Thirty mixed-breed (crosses between Boer, Kiko, and Syfan Spanish) goats, 20 adult does and 10 newborn kids. Procedures One eye of 15 adult goats ( n = 15 eyes) and 5 kids ( n = 5 eyes) was randomly selected. A subset of 5 adults ( n = 10 eyes) and 5 kids ( n = 10 eyes) underwent bilateral sampling. Each recently kidded dam's vaginal canal ( n = 10) was also sampled. Two swabs were collected from each sample site for aerobic bacterial culture and Mycoplasma and Chlamydia spp. PCR. Results Of the animals with positive cultures, Staphylococcus and Streptococcus were the most common bacterial genera from the conjunctival sac of adult (16/17; 94%) and kid (5/5; 100%) goats; three adults and 5 kids had no growth of bacteria on aerobic culture. Moraxella bovoculi was the most common single bacteria in adults, in 9 eyes (36%) of 8 animals (40%). Staphylococcus equorum was identified in all 5 kids with positive cultures. Mycoplasma sp. DNA was detected in 7 animals. Chlamydia sp. DNA was not detected in any sample. Four of 10 dam-kid pairs had identical bacteria isolated from the dam's vaginal sample and the kid's conjunctival sample. Conclusions Staphylococcus and Streptococcus were the most common conjunctival bacterial genera in this goatherd. Moraxella bovoculi was the most common single bacteria isolated from adults, and Staphylococcus equorum was the most common bacteria in kids. Mycoplasma sp. occurred infrequently at the ocular surface of adult and kid goats. A convincing association between dam-kid vaginal-conjunctival samples was not identified. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective To compare rates of retinal detachment ( RD) postphacoemulsification in American Bichon Frises with and without prophylactic retinopexy. Procedures Medical records of 54 Bichon Frises undergoing phacoemulsification with or without prophylactic retinopexy between 2003 and 2013 in one or both eyes were reviewed from five Midwestern university veterinary teaching hospitals. Inclusion criteria were preoperative ERG, at least 6 months of follow-up postphacoemulsification, and the absence of preexisting RD as determined by ophthalmic examination and/or ultrasound. Statistical analyses were performed using chi-squared test, and Wilcoxon rank-sum tests and Wilson confidence intervals with the P-value <0.05 were considered significant. Results Phacoemulsification was performed without retinopexy in 79 eyes (42 dogs, non- PR group) and with prophylactic retinopexy in 23 eyes (12 dogs, PR group). Incidence of diabetes mellitus was 10/42 and 3/12 in the non- PR and the PR groups, respectively ( P = 0.93). Intraocular lens implantation was performed in 40/42 non- PR dogs and 11/12 PR dogs ( P = 0.63, 73/79 vs. 21/23 eyes). At final re-examination, RD occurred in 4/79 eyes without retinopexy, compared to 0/23 RD in the retinopexy group. There was no statistically significant difference in RD rates between the two groups ( P = 0.27). Conclusions These data provide no statistical evidence to support prophylactic retinopexy in Bichon Frises. Due to the low rate of retinal detachment following phacoemulsification without prophylactic retinopexy, the procedure appears to offer limited benefit to offset cost, procedural risk, and risk of extended or repeated anesthesia in Bichon Frises. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective To investigate systemic absorption and renal effects of topically applied ophthalmic flurbiprofen and diclofenac in healthy cats. Animals studied Twelve domestic shorthair cats. Procedures Cats were randomly assigned to two treatment groups ( n = 6) and administered one drop (approximately 40 μL) of either flurbiprofen 0.03% or diclofenac 0.1% in both eyes four times daily (6 am, 12 pm, 6 pm, and 12 am) for 14 days. Blood samples were collected on days 0, 4, 8, 14, 16, and 17 and analyzed by liquid chromatography and mass spectrometry for flurbiprofen and diclofenac plasma concentrations. A complete blood count ( CBC), serum chemistry, and urinalysis were analyzed at the beginning of the study (Day 0) and at the end of topical drug administration (Day 15). Results Both drugs demonstrated systemic absorption. Flurbiprofen was detected (mean ± SD) at day 4 (237 ± 65 ng/ mL), day 8 (396 ± 91 ng/ mL), day 14 (423 ± 56 ng/ mL), day 16 (350 ± 66 ng/ mL), and day 17 (270 ± 62 ng/ mL), and diclofenac was detected (mean ± SD) at day 4 (130 ± 44 ng/ mL), day 8 (131 ± 25 ng/ mL), day 14 (150 ± 36 mg/ mL), and sporadically on day 16. Flurbiprofen plasma concentration decreased slowly over 48 h after the last dose. No clinically significant abnormalities were noted in the serum blood urea nitrogen, creatinine, or urine specific gravity at the end of topical drug administration compared to the beginning of the study. Conclusions Flurbiprofen and diclofenac were systemically absorbed after topical administration four times daily to both eyes of healthy cats. Flurbiprofen reached higher plasma concentrations compared to diclofenac. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective To describe the clinical and histologic ocular anatomy of the black-tailed prairie dog (PD). Animals studied Seventeen captive black-tailed PDs (11 males and six females), ranging in age from approximately 4 months to 4.5 years. Procedures Complete ocular examinations, including slit-lamp biomicroscopy, direct and indirect ophthalmoscopy, were performed under isoflurane anesthesia. The globes ( n = 2) of one black-tailed PD were harvested immediately after euthanasia and processed after formalin fixation. Staining with hematoxylin-eosin, cytokeratin AE1/ AE3, glial fibrillary acidic protein, chromogranin A, claudin-5, smooth muscle actin, and vimentin was performed for light microscopic evaluation. Results A thick mucinous precorneal tear film was present on the ocular surface. A vestigial nictitating membrane was identified in the medial canthus area. The limbus was heavily pigmented, the iris was a dark homogenous brown, and the pupil was round. Funduscopically, there was no tapetum lucidum, the retinal vascular pattern was holangiotic, and a horizontally elongated optic disk was visualized. The most common ocular abnormalities were acquired eyelid margin defects, present in seven eyes of six black-tailed PDs (35.3%). On histologic examination, the retina was asymmetric, thicker below the optic disk and thinner above it. Conclusions The black-tailed PD fundus is atapetal with a holangiotic retinal vessel pattern and a horizontally elongated optic disk. Acquired lesions of the peri-ocular and eyelid region were the most common documented abnormality. Unique anatomic features of the globe and adnexa were confirmed with histologic and immunohistochemical analysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A 15-month-old spayed female ferret ( Mustela putorius furo) presented for lethargy and weight loss of 2 weeks duration. Upon physical examination, a 2-mm-diameter focal area of opacity was noted in the left cornea. In addition, the ferret was quiet, in poor body condition, and dehydrated. A complete blood count and plasma biochemistry revealed a severe nonregenerative anemia, azotemia, hyperproteinemia, hypoalbuminemia, and mild hyperphosphatemia and hyperchloremia. Urinalysis revealed hyposthenuria. Whole body radiographs showed multifocal thoracic nodular disease, splenomegaly, and renomegaly. Abdominal ultrasonography confirmed bilaterally enlarged kidneys, hypoechoic liver and spleen, and a caudal abdominal hypoechoic mobile nodule. The ferret was humanely euthanized, and a postmortem examination with subsequent histopathology showed multifocal necrotizing pyogranulomas in the lung, spleen, kidneys, mesenteric lymph nodes, and serosa of the duodenum. Pyogranulomatous panophthalmitis was diagnosed in the left eye. The multisystemic granulomatous lesions were suggestive of ferret systemic coronavirus ( FRSCV). The presence of coronavirus in the left eye was confirmed by positive immunohistochemistry. Reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction ( RT- PCR) on formalin fixed paraffin embedded tissue from the lung, spleen, and kidney was negative for FRSCV and positive for ferret enteric coronavirus ( FRECV). Systemic coronavirus disease in ferrets closely resembles feline infectious peritonitis ( FIP) in domestic cats, which can manifest with anterior uveitis, chorioretinitis, optic neuritis, and retinal detachment. To the authors' knowledge, this is the first report of ocular lesions in a ferret with systemic coronavirus disease, suggesting that ferrets presented with similar ocular lesions should also be evaluated for evidence of coronavirus infection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective To investigate the absorption of gentamicin into the plasma after an intravitreal injection in dogs and to report the success rate of this procedure in lowering the intraocular pressure. Animals Twenty-four client-owned dogs with chronic, end-stage glaucoma. Procedures Dogs received a unilateral (22) or bilateral (2) intravitreal injection of 25-40 mg of gentamicin (mean ± SD dose 2.57 ± 1.65 mg/kg and range 0.61-7.50 mg/kg) and 1 mg of dexamethasone per eye. Blood samples were collected at various time points following the intravitreal injection. Plasma concentrations of gentamicin were determined by liquid chromatography and mass spectrometry. Results The total plasma concentration of gentamicin ranged from 0.21 to 9.71 μg/mL (mean ± SD 2.15 ± 2.03). The mean gentamicin CMAX was 2.29 μg/mL at 2.54 h with a terminal half-life of 9.8 h. The success rate of the chemical ablation procedure was 86.4% (19/22 eyes) in dogs that had at least 1 month of follow-up. Conclusions Intravitreal injection of gentamicin in eyes with chronic glaucoma resulted in detectable plasma levels in dogs and was successful in lowering the intraocular pressure in 86.4% of the eyes after the first procedure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A 10-year-old, castrated male, German Shepherd mixed-breed dog was presented to Kansas State University Veterinary Health Center for evaluation of a subconjunctival swelling in the ventral fornix of the left orbit. The owner elected to pursue excision of the mass 2 years after initial consultation following a sudden change in the size and color of the lesion. An excisional biopsy was performed, and the mass along with its associated capsule were submitted to the Comparative Ocular Pathology Laboratory of Wisconsin for histopathologic evaluation, which confirmed the diagnosis of a hibernoma. Fourteen months following excision, the patient showed no evidence of tumor regrowth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective To report ocular diagnostic test parameters and normal conjunctival bacterial flora in captive black-tailed prairie dogs. Animals studied Seventeen black-tailed prairie dogs, ranging in age from approximately 4-6 months to 4.5 years. Eleven males came from a zoo collection and 6 females from a wildlife rehabilitation center. Procedures Complete ocular examination was performed under isoflurane anesthesia. Tear and intraocular pressure (IOP) measurements were performed on both ( n = 34) eyes of 17 prairie dogs. Phenol red thread test (PRTT) was performed first, and a modified Schirmer tear test I ( mSTTI) was performed 10 min later. Indirect rebound tonometry was performed using the TonoVet ®. Attempts to obtain intraocular pressure measurements using an applanation tonometry instrument were unsuccessful. Conjunctival swab samples ( n = 17) were taken from both eyes of each prairie dog and pooled. Results The most common ocular abnormality was acquired eyelid margin defects, present in seven eyes of six prairie dogs (35.3%). Mean ± SD tear production was 13.6 ± 7.8 mm/15 s (range, 3-30) for PRTT and 1.2 ± 0.9 mm/min (range, 0-4) for mSTTI. Mean ± SD IOP was 7.7 ± 2.2 mmHg (range, 3-11.4). A Staphylococcus xylosus (7/17; 41.2%) organism and a hemolytic Staphylococcus species (5/17; 29.4%) were most commonly isolated from the prairie dog conjunctival sac. Conclusions There was a moderate prevalence of acquired peri-ocular lesions in this group of captive black-tailed prairie dogs. While widely variable, results of tear test and intraocular pressure measurements are reported. Staphylococcus was the most commonly isolated bacterial genus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective To determine the corneal sensitivity of healthy, immature, and adult alpacas to establish normal reference values for this species. Animals studied Six normal crias and 18 normal adult alpacas. Procedures Corneal sensitivity was determined by evaluating the corneal touch threshold (CTT) in five regions of the cornea using a Cochet-Bonnet aesthesiometer. The nylon filament length in cm was then converted to applied pressure values in mg/0.0113 mm2 and g/mm2 using a conversion chart. Results The central region of the cornea was the most sensitive, and the dorsal and temporal regions were the least sensitive in alpacas. There were no significant differences between the right and left eyes or between values in males and females at any site. Crias had significantly greater corneal sensitivity compared with adult alpacas in all five regions of the cornea that were evaluated. Conclusions Normal reference values for CTT in alpacas were established using a Cochet-Bonnet aesthesiometer. The central region of the cornea is the most sensitive in alpacas, and crias have higher corneal sensitivity than adult alpacas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To retrospectively describe ocular abnormalities reported in dogs with presumed dysautonomia., Animals: 79 dogs with dysautonomia., Methods: Medical records from the Kansas State University Veterinary Health Center from 2004 to 2021 were reviewed for dogs with a clinical or histopathologic diagnosis of canine dysautonomia (CD). Ophthalmic exam abnormalities, nonocular clinical signs, and outcomes were recorded., Results: Most dogs (73/79 [92.4%]) with CD exhibited at least 1 ocular abnormality. The most common ocular abnormalities were diminished pupillary light reflexes (PLRs) in 55 of 79 (69.6%) dogs and elevation of the third eyelids in 51 of 79 (64.6%) dogs. Schirmer tear test values were bilaterally decreased in 32 of 56 (57.1%) dogs. Other ocular abnormalities included resting mydriasis, ocular discharge, photophobia, blepharospasm, corneal ulceration, and conjunctival vessel pallor. The most common nonocular clinical signs were vomiting or regurgitation in 69 of 79 (87.3%) and diarrhea in 34 of 79 (43.0%) dogs. Pharmacologic testing with dilute 0.01%, 0.05%, or 0.1% pilocarpine yielded pupillary constriction in 42 of 51 (82.4%) dogs. Thirty-two of 79 (40.5%) dogs survived to discharge. Resolution of ocular abnormalities was variable., Clinical Relevance: Ophthalmic abnormalities such as diminished PLRs, elevation of the third eyelids, and decreased tear production are commonly associated with CD and provide support for its antemortem clinical diagnosis, though dogs with normal PLRs can be diagnosed with the disease. Pharmacologic testing with dilute topical pilocarpine in dogs with clinical signs suggestive of dysautonomia supports a diagnosis of CD. Ophthalmic abnormalities may improve or resolve over time.