Equine ulcerative keratitis in the Netherlands (2012-2021): Bacterial and fungal isolates and antibiotic susceptibility.

Background: Ulcerative keratitis is a common ophthalmic disease in horses which can be complicated by microbial infection and requires immediate, accurate treatment to prevent loss of visual function or the eye.

Objectives: To report the results of microbial cultures, antibiotic susceptibility tests and corneal cytology in horses with ulcerative keratitis presented to a referral clinic, to assess agreement between cytology and culture results, to investigate whether previous topical treatment affected microbial culture results and whether the incidence of antimicrobial resistance changed during the study period.

Study Design: Retrospective analysis.

Corneal stromal ulcerations in a referral population of dogs and cats in the Netherlands (2012-2019): Bacterial isolates and antibiotic resistance.

Objective: To evaluate bacterial isolates from corneal stromal ulcerations in dogs and cats in the Netherlands, review their antibiotic susceptibility, determine whether recent topical treatment affected bacterial culture results, and investigate whether (multi-drug) resistance patterns changed over time.

Animals Studied: Client-owned dogs and cats were diagnosed with corneal stromal ulceration at the Utrecht University Clinic for Companion Animals between 2012 and 2019.

Procedures: Retrospective analysis.

Intoxication with Ornithogalum arabicum is a potential cause of visual impairment and irreversible blindness in dogs.

We describe two dogs with persistent visual impairment after initially mild intoxication signs following ingestion of plant material. Additionally, a 12-year analysis of the Dutch Poisons Information Centre database additionally reveals that ingestion of plant material can be potentially life-threatening to companion animals. Further studies are necessary to confirm the involvement of cardiac glycoside-like toxins present in and the toxicity of these substances to the retina.

The effects of topical dorzolamide 2% and brinzolamide 1%, either alone or combined with timolol 0.5%, on intraocular pressure, pupil diameter, and heart rate in healthy cats.

Objective: To investigate the effects of topical dorzolamide 2% q8h and brinzolamide 1% q8h, administered either alone (A and B, respectively) or in combination with topical timolol 0.5% q12h (C and D, respectively), on the circadian pattern of intraocular pressure (IOP), the pupil size, and heart rate in healthy cats.

Methods: In this prospective, randomized, double-blinded study, 10 healthy, adult cats were randomly assigned to one of four groups and the eye to be medicated was randomly assigned.

Urinary Aldosterone/Creatinine Ratio After Fludrocortisone Suppression Consistent with PHA in a Cat.

A 9 yr old cat was presented with clinical signs and laboratory abnormalities attributed to arterial hypertension (mean systolic arterial pressure, 290 mm Hg). Plasma aldosterone concentration was increased at the time of admission (651 pmol/L), but serum creatinine and potassium concentrations were within the reference range. A second increased aldosterone (879 pmol/L) and normal plasma renin activity (1.

Development of tear production and intraocular pressure in healthy canine neonates.

Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the development of aqueous tear production and intraocular pressure in healthy canine neonates between 2 and 12 weeks of age.

Animals: One litter, consisting of 8 healthy Beagle dogs--four males and four females-was used.

Procedures: Between the age of 2 and 12 weeks, tear production and intraocular pressure were measured weekly in both eyes.

Distichiasis in a ferret (Mustela putorius furo).

A 4-year-old intact male ferret was presented to the Ophthalmology Service of the Department of Clinical Sciences of Companion Animals of Utrecht University with chronic blepharospasm, epiphora, and conjunctivitis of the right eye. Examination of the eye revealed mild conjunctivitis and three hairs protruding from the openings of meibomian glands in the upper eyelid, providing the clinical diagnosis of distichiasis. The distichia were removed by transconjunctival unipolar electrocautery.

Characterization and prevalence of cataracts in Labrador Retrievers in The Netherlands.

Objective: To assess the prevalence and distribution of types of cataract, investigate the effects of selective breeding on cataract development, and identify the relationship between posterior polar cataract and other types of cortical cataracts in Labrador Retrievers in The Netherlands.

Animals: 9,017 Labrador Retrievers.

Procedures: Records of 18,283 ophthalmic examinations performed by veterinary ophthalmologists from 1977 through 2005 were reviewed.

Comparison of the use of new handheld tonometers and established applanation tonometers in dogs.

Objective: To examine the practical aspects, accuracy, and reproducibility of 2 new automatic handheld tonometers in dogs and compare them with results for 2 established applanation tonometers.

Animals: 15 freshly enucleated canine eyes for manometric evaluation and 20 conscious research dogs, 20 client-owned dogs, and 12 dogs with acute glaucoma for clinical tonometry.

Procedure: Calibration curves were determined for all 4 tonometers on 15 enucleated canine eyes.