Topical netarsudil for the treatment of primary corneal endothelial degeneration in dogs.

This study evaluated the tolerability and efficacy of the topical rho-kinase inhibitor netarsudil for canine primary corneal endothelial degeneration (PCED). Twenty-six eyes of 21 client-owned dogs with PCED were enrolled in a prospective, randomized, vehicle control clinical trial and received topical netarsudil 0.02% (Rhopressa®) or vehicle control twice daily (BID) for the first 4 months.

Breed predispositions to congenital and juvenile cataracts in horses at two academic institutions.

Background: Determination of horse breeds predisposed to congenital and juvenile cataracts will enable investigations into potential genetic mechanisms for cataracts in horses.

Objective: To investigate horse breed predispositions to congenital and juvenile cataracts in two academic referral populations.

Study Design: Retrospective case series.

Ocular morphologic traits in the American Cocker Spaniel may confer primary angle closure glaucoma susceptibility.

Acute primary angle closure glaucoma is a potentially blinding ophthalmic emergency requiring prompt treatment to lower the elevated intraocular pressure in humans and dogs. The PACG in most of canine breeds is epidemiologically similar to humans with older and female patients overrepresented with the condition. The American Cocker Spaniel (ACS) is among the most common breeds observed with PACG development in dogs.

Topical Ripasudil for the Treatment of Primary Corneal Endothelial Degeneration in Dogs.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the tolerability and efficacy of topical rho-kinase inhibitor ripasudil in the treatment of primary corneal endothelial degeneration (PCED) in dogs.

Methods: Twenty-one eyes of 12 client-owned, PCED-affected dogs received topical ripasudil 4 times daily. Ophthalmic examination, ultrasonic pachymetry (USP), Fourier-domain optical coherence tomography (FD-OCT), and in vivo confocal microscopy were performed at baseline and 1, 3, 6, and 12 months.

Canine endotheliitis: Clinical characteristics, advanced imaging features, and treatment.

Objective: To describe the clinical findings, multimodal corneal imaging features and treatment in canine patients diagnosed with endotheliitis.

Animals Studied: Four canine patients met inclusion criteria for bilateral corneal disease with endothelial inflammation and secondary corneal edema that responded to topical anti-inflammatory treatment.

Methods: The patients selected underwent a complete ophthalmic examination with emphasis on the cornea including ultrasound pachymetry (USP), Fourier-domain optical coherence tomography (FD-OCT), in vivo confocal microscopy (IVCM), and digital slit lamp photography.

Effect of Withdrawing Chronic Topical Immune Modulating Treatment on Schirmer Tear Test Values in Dogs with Dry Eye Disease: Relevance to Dry Eye Studies.

To determine the effect of discontinuing chronic topical immune modulating (IM) treatment on Schirmer tear test (STT) values in dogs with dry eye disease (DED). Serial measurements of STTs from 14 dogs (16 eyes) previously diagnosed with DED were obtained before and after discontinuation of topical IM agents. Dogs with moderate to severe DED that had been well controlled with a topical IM treatment were included.

Clinical features and MRI characteristics of retinal detachment in dogs and cats.

The aim of this retrospective observational study was to characterize the MRI appearance of retinal detachment (RD) in a sample of dogs and cats. Study inclusion was based on the following medical record criteria: (a) had a diagnosis of RD in at least one eye by either funduscopic examination or ocular ultrasound and had an MRI evaluation including the eyes, or (b) had a diagnosis of RD documented in an MRI report for at least one eye and also had a clinical eye examination. Eighteen patients (12 dogs, 6 cats) and 35 eyes met the inclusion criteria, although four eyes that were clinically examined could not be visualized funduscopically and did not have ocular ultrasound performed (criterion 2).

Subcutaneous administration of triamcinolone as part of the management of feline eosinophilic keratoconjunctivitis.

Objectives: The aim of this retrospective case-control study was to report the efficacy of subcutaneous triamcinolone as part of a regimen for feline eosinophilic keratoconjunctivitis (FEK).

Methods: Records and clinical photographs were reviewed and lesions semiquantitatively graded for cats with cytologically confirmed FEK. Clinical data were compared between a study population of nine cats (11 eyes) treated with, and a reference population of seven cats (eight eyes) treated without, a median of 0.

A Retrospective Study of Corneal Endothelial Dystrophy in Dogs (1991-2014).

Purpose: To retrospectively evaluate the clinical data, diagnostic tests, treatments, and outcomes for dogs with corneal endothelial dystrophy (CED) and determine risk factors for CED when compared with a canine reference population.

Methods: Medical records of 99 dogs (1991-2014) diagnosed with CED at the University of California Davis Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital were reviewed and compared with 458,680 dogs comprising the general hospital population during the study period. Retrieved data included signalment, examination findings, diagnoses, treatments, and outcomes associated with CED.

A novel surgical technique for enucleation in rabbits to reduce the risk of intra- and post-operative orbital hemorrhage.

A 10-year-old male castrated Holland Lop rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus) was presented for severe ulcerative stromal keratitis of the right eye and a luxated hypermature cataract and glaucoma of the left eye. Staged bilateral enucleation was elected. A LigaSure™ electrosurgical bipolar vessel-sealing device was used as a means to minimize intraoperative and post-operative hemorrhage, especially that associated with the orbital venous plexus.

Clinical Features and Computed Tomography Findings Are Utilized to Characterize Retrobulbar Disease in Dogs.

The objective of this study is to describe the clinical features and computed tomography (CT) findings of dogs with retrobulbar disease. There are two facets to this study: a retrospective case series in which findings of dogs with primary vs. secondary retrobulbar disease are described, and a retrospective cross-sectional study in which computed tomography findings of dogs with retrobulbar neoplasia vs.

Medical management of deep ulcerative keratitis in cats: 13 cases.

Case Series Summary: Described are 13 cats diagnosed with deep ulcerative keratitis and successfully managed medically without grafting procedures. Typical treatment involved frequent topical application of serum and antibiotics (usually a fluoroquinolone and a cephalosporin). Seven cats also received systemic antibiotics.

Retrobulbar vs peribulbar regional anesthesia techniques using bupivacaine in dogs.

Objective: To compare the effectiveness of retrobulbar anesthesia (RBA) and peribulbar anesthesia (PBA) in dogs.

Animal Studied: Six adult mixed-breed dogs (18-24 kg).

Procedures: In a randomized, masked, crossover trial with a 10-day washout period, each dog was sedated with intravenously administered dexmedetomidine and administered 0.

Multiple ocular developmental defects in four closely related alpacas.

Objective: To describe the clinical, gross pathologic, and histopathologic findings for a visually impaired 5.8-year-old female alpaca with multiple ocular abnormalities, as well as the clinical findings for three closely related alpacas.

Animals Studied: Four alpacas.

Cofactors associated with Sudden Acquired Retinal Degeneration Syndrome: 151 dogs within a reference population.

Objective: To determine factors associated with sudden acquired retinal degeneration syndrome (SARDS) diagnosed within one referral population.

Animals Studied: 151 dogs diagnosed with SARDS.

Procedures: Breed, age, sex, and body weight were compared between dogs with electroretinogram-confirmed SARDS and dogs presented to the UC Davis Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital (UCD-VMTH) from 1991 to 2014.

Gross, histologic, and computed tomographic characterization of nonpathological intrascleral cartilage and bone in the domestic goat (Capra aegagrus hircus).

Objective: To characterize grossly, histologically, and via computed tomography (CT) the appearance of intrascleral cartilage, bone, or both in domestic goats with otherwise normal eyes and to correlate this with age, sex, and breed.

Animals Studied: Sixty-eight domestic goats (89 eyes).

Procedures: Forty-nine formalin-fixed globes from 38 goats underwent high-resolution CT, and gross and light microscopic examination.

Comparison of corneal degeneration and calcific band keratopathy from 2000 to 2013 in 69 horses.

Objective: To compare signalment, presentation, treatment, and outcome in horses diagnosed with corneal degeneration (CD) or calcific band keratopathy (CBK) at a referral hospital.

Animals Studied: Sixty-nine horses (87 eyes) diagnosed with either CD or CBK.

Procedures: Medical records of horses diagnosed with CD or CBK at the University of California-Davis Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital (UCD-VMTH) between 2000 and 2013 were reviewed.

Novel retinopathy in related Gordon setters: a clinical, behavioral, electrophysiological, and genetic investigation.

Purpose: To conduct ophthalmic, behavioral, electrophysiological, and genetic testing on two related Gordon setters presented for day blindness and compare findings with those of nine related and unrelated Gordon setters.

Methods: All dogs underwent comprehensive ophthalmic examination. Maze testing was conducted under different light intensities.

Characterization of an Early-Onset, Autosomal Recessive, Progressive Retinal Degeneration in Bengal Cats.

Purpose: A form of retinal degeneration suspected to be hereditary was discovered in a family of Bengal cats. A breeding colony was established to characterize disease progression clinically, electrophysiologically, and morphologically, and to investigate the mode of inheritance.

Methods: Affected and related cats were donated by owners for breeding trials and pedigree analysis.

Gross anatomy and morphometric evaluation of the canine lacrimal and third eyelid glands.

Objective: The lacrimal gland (LG) and the third eyelid gland (TELG) are two intraorbital glands that, in dogs, secrete the aqueous component of the tear film. Despite the central importance of these structures for maintaining ocular surface health, the gross anatomy of the glands remains understudied. We investigated the macroscopic morphometric characteristics of the LG and TELG in three different dog breeds.

The effect of needle gauge, needle type, and needle orientation on the volume of a drop.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to determine impact of needle gauge, type, and orientation on average volume of drop dispensed.

Procedure: Five needle gauges (22G, 23G, 25G, 27G, and 30G) were examined. For each gauge, volume of drop delivered was determined for standard sharp beveled tip, blunt tip, and after breaking off of the sharp needle from the hub.

Detection of equine herpesvirus in horses with idiopathic keratoconjunctivitis and comparison of three sampling techniques.

Objectives: To determine the role of equine herpesvirus (EHV) in idiopathic keratoconjunctivitis in horses and to determine whether sample collection method affects detection of EHV DNA by quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR).

Animals Studied: Twelve horses with idiopathic keratoconjunctivitis and six horses without signs of ophthalmic disease.

Procedures: Conjunctival swabs, corneal scrapings, and conjunctival biopsies were collected from 18 horses: 12 clinical cases with idiopathic keratoconjunctivitis and six euthanized controls.

Genome-wide association and linkage analyses localize a progressive retinal atrophy locus in Persian cats.

Hereditary eye diseases of animals serve as excellent models of human ocular disorders and assist in the development of gene and drug therapies for inherited forms of blindness. Several primary hereditary eye conditions affecting various ocular tissues and having different rates of progression have been documented in domestic cats. Gene therapy for canine retinopathies has been successful, thus the cat could be a gene therapy candidate for other forms of retinal degenerations.