The novel use of a sub-palpebral lavage line as an indwelling stent to manage unilateral nasolacrimal duct obstruction in a cat.

Objective: To describe a novel surgical approach to conjunctivorhinostomy for feline nasolacrimal duct obstruction.

Animal Studied: A client-owned 4-year-old female spayed domestic shorthair cat presented with chronic unilateral nasolacrimal duct obstruction of the right eye.

Methods: Following obstruction confirmation via complete ophthalmic examination and dacryocystorhinography, conjunctivorhinostomy was performed under general anesthesia, and an indwelling sub-palpebral lavage (SPL) line was placed to facilitate the formation of a new pathway for tear drainage.

Novel treatment of infectious keratitis in canine corneas using ultraviolet C (UV-C) light.

Objective: To investigate the therapeutic effect of 275 nm wavelength ultraviolet C (UV-C) light for treatment of bacterial keratitis in canine corneas using an affordable, broadly available modified handheld device.

Methods: UV-C therapy (UVCT) was evaluated in two experiments: in vitro using triplicates of three bacterial genera (Staphylococcus, Streptococcus, Pseudomonas spp., and a mix of all species) where the UVCT was performed at a distance of 10, 15, and 20 mm with 1 or 2 doses (4 h apart) for 5, 15, or 30 s; ex vivo model where healthy canine corneal buttons were inoculated superficially and deep (330 μm) with the same bacterial isolates and treated at a 10 mm distance for 15 s with one dose of 22.

Topical blood products modulate the effects of ophthalmic antibiotics against common bacterial pathogens in dogs with infectious keratitis.

Bacterial keratitis is a common and serious condition that often leads to vision impairment and potential loss of the eye if not treated promptly and adequately. Topical blood products are often used concurrently with topical antibiotics, helping to mitigate corneal 'melt' from proteases released on the ocular surface. However, blood products are rich in albumin and could affect the efficacy of antibiotics due to drug-protein binding.

Ocular diagnostics, ophthalmic findings, and conjunctival microbiome in the Chilean flamingo (Phoenicopterus chilensis).

Objective: To establish normative data for selected ocular diagnostic tests and commensal conjunctival microflora and describe the incidence of ocular pathology in Chilean flamingos.

Animals Studied: A total of 41 Chilean flamingos were examined at the Blank Park Zoo in Des Moines, Iowa.

Procedures: In 20 flamingos, blink rate was assessed undisturbed in their exhibit, then gentle manual restraint was used to assess palpebral fissure length (PFL), aqueous tear production (phenol red thread test [PRTT] in one eye, endodontic absorbent paper point tear test [EAPPTT] in the other), intraocular pressure (IOP; rebound tonometry), and fluorescein staining.

Systemic absorption and gastrointestinal adverse effects from topical ketorolac and diclofenac ophthalmic solutions in healthy dogs.

Objective: To investigate systemic absorption and gastrointestinal (GI) adverse effects of topical ketorolac 0.5% and diclofenac 0.1% ophthalmic solutions.