Acute blindness in a dog caused by an explosive blast

A 3-year-old, intact male, mixed breed dog was presented with a complaint of acute blindness. Ten days previously, the area where the dog was walking came under a rocket attack, and a rocket landed and exploded 300 meters away from the dog. Physical examination was unremarkable. Ophthalmoscopic examination revealed posterior segment fibrin clots and extensive vitreal hemorrhage in the right eye. A total retinal detachment (360 degrees retinal dialysis) with no evidence of hemorrhage was noted in the left eye. There was no sign of any penetrating ocular trauma, and it was assumed that the posterior segment findings were primary injuries caused by the blast wave itself. Following anti-inflammatory treatment, partial vision was restored in the right eye. Surgical re-attachment of the retina was discussed and declined by the owner. This report describes, for the first time, vitreal hemorrhage and retinal detachment as the sole injuries caused by an explosive blast wave.

Ocular signs of canine monocytic ehrlichiosis: a retrospective study in dogs from Barcelona, Spain

Canine monocytic ehrlichiosis (CME) is a tick-borne disease caused by the rickettsia Ehrlichia canis. Ocular lesions are a common feature of the disease and can be present in all stages. The purpose of this retrospective study was to determine the prevalence, type and response to treatment of ocular lesions associated with monocytic ehrlichiosis in 46 affected dogs presented to the Autonomous University of Barcelona-Veterinary Teaching Hospital (UAB-VTH) from January 2000 to December 2002. Dogs were included in the study only if they had a positive serologic test for E. canis and information about the clinical outcome was available. Eighteen breeds were represented, with the German Shepherd dog (n = 6) being the most common. There were 25 intact and three castrated males, and 16 intact and two neutered females. Twenty dogs (43.4%) were between 5 and 10 years old. Seventeen dogs (37% of all cases of monocytic ehrlichiosis diagnosed during the study period) had ocular signs, and 11 dogs (64.7% of the ocular cases) had only ocular lesions without apparent systemic signs. Exudative retinal detachment was the most common ocular manifestation; other prevalent findings included anterior exudative uveitis and optic neuritis. Five of the 17 cases with ocular lesions (29.4%) had ocular bleeding disorders (hyphema or retinal hemorrhages). All the dogs with ocular disease presented with bilateral signs. Dogs with posterior segment disease had titers against E. canis that were > or = 1 : 320, while lower titers were noted in dogs with anterior exudative uveitis. Two dogs presented with chronic autoimmune panuveitis after ehrlichiosis treatment. Canine ehrlichiosis should be considered in the differential diagnosis of exudative retinal detachment and anterior uveal inflammatory lesions.

Cerebral and conjunctival haemorrhages associated with von Willebrand factor deficiency and canine angiostrongylosis

A case of angiostrongylosis is described in a 14-month-old golden retriever bitch. Conjunctival haemorrhage and neurological signs, referable to a space-occupying cerebral lesion, were associated with defective primary haemostasis caused by low levels of von Willebrand factor. Full clinical recovery followed treatment with desmopressin, fresh whole blood transfusion, fenbendazole and supportive care. The magnetic resonance image of the suspected organising haematoma is described. Similarities to the human condition, acquired von Willebrand syndrome, and a possible role for aberrant larval migration in haematoma formation are suggested.

Funduscopic findings following cataract extraction by means of phacoemulsification in diabetic dogs: 52 cases (1993-2003)

OBJECTIVE

To determine prevalence of retinal hemorrhages and microaneurysms in dogs with diabetes mellitus following cataract extraction by means of phacoemulsification and identify potential risk factors.

DESIGN

Retrospective study.

PROCEDURE

Medical records of dogs undergoing phacoemulsification between 1993 and 2003 were reviewed, and information was recorded on signalment, history, physical examination findings, ophthalmic examination findings, results of laboratory testing, electroretinographic findings, and surgical findings. Glycemic control was classified as poor, intermediate, or good on the basis of baseline blood glucose concentration, perioperative body weight loss, daily insulin dosage, and presence of glucosuria and ketonuria. Data from diabetic and nondiabetic dogs were analyzed to determine prevalence and risk factors for development of retinal hemorrhages or microaneurysms following phacoemulsification.

RESULTS

11 of the 52 (21%) dogs with diabetes mellitus developed ophthalmoscopic signs of retinal hemorrhages or microaneurysms, compared with 1 of the 174 (0.6%) nondiabetic dogs. Median time from onset of diabetes mellitus to diagnosis of retinopathy was 1.4 years (range, 0.5 to 3.2 years). No risk factors for development of retinopathy were identified.

CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE

Results suggest that retinal hemorrhages and microaneurysms may be more common and develop earlier in diabetic dogs than previously reported. This may affect treatment, as diabetic dogs survive longer with improved glycemic control.

[Arterial hypertension in the cat. A pathobiologic and clinical review with emphasis on the ophthalmologic aspects]

Arterial hypertension in cats appears to be an often underdiagnosed problem. Sudden disturbances of vision caused by intraocular haemorrhage and/or detached retina are often related to hypertension. The ability to measure blood pressure routinely in cats, by using an indirect method, has increased knowledge of feline hypertension in recent years. In cats mainly secondary hypertension is described, caused by as a consequence of renal disease, hyperthyroidism, chronic anaemia, primary aldosteronism, and a high-salt diet. This article describes the (patho) physiology of blood pressure control, the different methods of blood pressure measurements and the causes, clinical manifestations, and possibilities of antihypertensive therapy. Given our current knowledge, blood pressure should be measured regularly in older cats (> 10 years), especially in those with renal insufficiency, hyperthyroidism, or visual disturbances of unknown origin. Blood pressure measurements using the Doppler method is a relatively cheaply, quick and simple, method with enough reliability. Hence this method should be incorporated in veterinary practice.

Entropion, corneal ulcer and corneal haemorrhages in a one-humped camel (Camelus dromedarius)

An unusual case of entropion, corneal ulcer and corneal haemorrhages in a one-humped camel (Camelus dromedaries) is described. The most prominent clinical findings were entropion of both eyelids, severe blephrospasm, epiphora, conjunctivitis, conjunctival oedema, mucopurulent conjunctival discharges, hyperaemia, lacrimation and photophobia. Corneal ulcers and corneal haemorrhages were also observed.

Canine monocytic ehrlichiosis presenting as acute blindness 36 months after importation into the UK

A four-year-old Labrador retriever developed sudden-onset blindness, associated with bilateral uveitis, intraocular haemorrhage and retinal detachment. It had been imported into the UK from Sardinia 36 months before presentation. Haematological abnormalities included non-regenerative anaemia, thrombocytopenia and neutropenia. Serum and urine protein electrophoresis demonstrated a monoclonal gammopathy. An immunofluorescent antibody test for Ehrlichia canis was positive, with a titre of 1:320, confirming a diagnosis of chronic monocytic ehrlichiosis. This case highlights how the prolonged subclinical phase of monocytic ehrlichiosis could enable infected dogs to enter the UK without signs of disease. Chronic monocytic ehrlichiosis should be considered in dogs which have been imported from E canis-endemic countries and present with bleeding disorders and gammopathy, even if signs develop many years after importation.

Subconjunctival haemorrhages in neonatal thoroughbred foals

A survey of 169 neonatal thoroughbred foals revealed that 8.3 per cent had subconjunctival haemorrhages, but there was no indication of a relationship between retinal and subconjunctival haemorrhages. The haemorrhages were not related to any abnormality of the foals and there was no sex or eye predisposition. In most cases the haemorrhages were fresh and red, occurred mainly dorsally or dorsonasally and extended up to the limbus; they resolved completely within four to 10 days, depending on their initial severity and extent. They had no effect on the foals' vision in the short or long term. The incidence of subconjunctival haemorrhages was associated with foaling category, multiparity and country of birth.

[Retrobulbar space-occupying lesions in dogs and cats: symptoms and diagnosis]

In the last five years 55 cases of orbital space-occupying lesions in dogs and cats were treated at the Veterinary Surgical Clinic of the University of Zurich. The most frequent diagnosis was orbital neoplasia (n = 29), followed by orbital abscesses or cellulitis (n = 17). Orbital hematoma (n = 5), salivary mucocele (n = 3), A/V-fistulas (n = 1), and eosinophilic myositis (n = 1) appear to be less frequent entities. The 55 cases comprised 42 dogs and only 13 cats, which seem to be less likely to suffer from orbital disease. This difference was particularly obvious in orbital inflammatory disease. The most important clinical sign is exophthalmos. Other symptoms are listed in tables. Special emphasis is put on the diagnostic work-up of orbital space-occupying lesions. An algorithm shall guide the practitioner to the correct diagnosis. The management of orbital disease is only briefly mentioned but will be the topic of a future article.

Spontaneous systemic hypertension in dogs: five cases (1981-1983)

Spontaneous (not experimentally induced) systemic hypertension was detected in 5 male dogs that were examined because of apparent blindness caused by intraocular hemorrhage and/or retinal detachment. Secondary causes of hypertension, including renal, adrenal, and thyroid disease, were investigated. Four of the dogs had glomerulonephropathy, renal insufficiency, and proteinuria. Four dogs had compensatory cardiac hypertrophy. Hypertension in 4 of 5 dogs was associated with glomerulosclerosis with chronic renal insufficiency, bilateral adrenocortical hyperplasia, adrenocortical adenoma with renal amyloidosis, and immune-mediated glomerulonephritis with chronic renal insufficiency, respectively. The fifth dog was determined to have essential hypertension. The dogs were treated for their primary diseases. Sodium restriction alone was inadequate to reduce blood pressure; 4 of the dogs also required antihypertensive medications.