Bilateral nasolacrimal duct atresia in a cria

A 2-month-old, male alpaca had a 1-month history of mucoid ocular discharge from the left eye. Signalment, history and clinical findings were suggestive of a congenital nasolacrimal outflow obstruction. A dacryocystorhinogram confirmed bilateral nasolacrimal duct atresia, which involved the distal half of both nasolacrimal ducts. In order to establish alternative outflow, a conjunctivomaxillosinusotomy and conjunctivorhinostomy were performed on the right and left eye, respectively. The surgical openings remain patent after 11 months, and there have been no clinical signs of nasolacrimal disease.     

Nasolacrimal obstruction caused by root abscess of the upper canine in a cat

A 10‐year‐old, castrated male domestic short hair cat was presented to the Small Animal Clinic at the Western College of Veterinary Medicine with a presenting complaint of chronic, ocular discharge from the left eye. Ocular examination confirmed epiphora and mucopurulent discharge but there were no apparent reasons for the ocular discharge, and nasolacrimal obstruction was suspected. The cat had swelling of the left side of the face, severe periodontal disease and a fractured upper left canine tooth with pulpal exposure. Dacryocystorhinography revealed narrowing of the nasolacrimal duct above the root of the fractured upper left canine and dental radiographs showed a severe periapical lucency at the apex of the upper left canine tooth. The fractured canine tooth was removed. Subsequently, the ocular discharge and facial swelling resolved. After 2 years, the epiphora has never reoccurred. This is a noteworthy case because a suspected root abscess resulted in extralumenal compression of the nasolacrimal duct, which shows the importance of a thorough oral examination when nasolacrimal obstruction is evident.     

Suture exostosis causing obstruction of the nasolacrimal duct in three horses

CASE HISTORY Three horses were presented with facial swelling and epiphora.

CLINICAL FINDINGS: All horses had facial swellings and radiographic findings consistent with exostosis at the lacrimomaxillary suture, and ipsilateral epiphora. Positive contrast dacryocystorhinography demonstrated that the site of obstruction of the nasolacrimal duct was located where the duct traverses the lacrimomaxillary suture.

DIAGNOSIS: Lacrimomaxillary suture exostosis.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Lacrimomaxillary suture exostosis should be considered as a differential diagnosis in cases of epiphora in horses. Dacryocystorhinography, preferably retrograde and normograde, may be used as an aid to diagnosis.     

Endoscopic examination of the nasolacrimal duct in ten horses

Reasons for performing study: No endoscopic examination of the nasolacrimal duct has been described before. In contrast with other imaging techniques, endoscopy provides a direct inspection of the intralumen and ductal mucosa in standing sedation. Objectives: To provide a reference against which the endoscopic and clinical features of obstructive nasolacrimal disease in the horse may be compared. Methods: Endoscopic examination of the nasolacrimal duct was performed in 10 French Thoroughbred bay mares with a 3 mm shaft diameter flexible fibrescope. The duct was divided into 3 zones (1, 2 and 3) from the nostril to the lacrimal sac. Results: Endoscopic examination of the nasolacrimal duct appeared to be quite easy to perform in Zones 1 and 2, while the ease or difficulty of examining Zone 3 depended on the weight and size of the horse for the position of the endoscope in the lacrimal canal. Conclusions: Endoscopic inspection has provided the possibility of a novel diagnostic approach to conditions of the nasolacrimal duct in horses. Potential relevance: Endoscopic examination of the nasolacrimal duct could help to diagnose and treat nasolacrimal diseases by performing sample withdrawal and duct irrigation.     

Endoscopic-guided diagnosis of and interventional stent placement for nasolacrimal duct obstruction in a horse

Objective

To describe the successful use of endoscopy to visualize and place a soft canine ureteral stent to relieve a chronic nasolacrimal duct (NLD) obstruction in a horse.

Animal Studied

A 7-year-old, Quarter horse gelding.

Procedure

Under general anesthesia, retrograde nasolacrimal endoscopy was performed using an 8.5 Fr Storz Flex XC ureteroscope through the nasal punctum (NP). An obstructive web of fibrous tissue was visualized approximately 20 cm proximal to the NP. A 0.035″/150 cm hydrophilic guidewire was passed normograde from the ventral lacrimal punctum and used to puncture the stenotic tissue. Then, a 5.0Fr/70 cm open-end ureteral catheter was threaded normograde over the guidewire and NLD patency was re-established. The catheter confirmed a NLD length of 30 cm and was then removed. A 5.0Fr/22–32 cm Universa© Soft Ureteral Stent was threaded normograde over the guidewire until the loops of the stent were exposed at each end. The guidewire was removed and the stent loops were sutured in place.

Results

The stent was withdrawn 1 month after the procedure. Telephone follow-up with the client reported significant improvement in the amount of ocular discharge and decreased sensitivity around the face and ears.

Conclusion

Endoscopy is a safe and effective procedure allowing for definitive diagnosis of NLD obstruction and to assist in interventional procedures. Placement of a canine indwelling ureteral stent seems to be an effective alternative treatment option for equine NLD obstruction compared to conventional invasive surgical procedures.     

Epidermal (infundibular) and dermoid cysts in the dorsal midline of a three-year-old thoroughbred-cross gelding

Epidermal (infundibular) and dermoid cysts are unusual in the horse in contrast with other species. The diagnosis and treatment of six lesions in the dorsal midline of a three-year-old Thoroughbred-cross gelding is described. The lesions were believed to be congenital and presented asymptomatically but required attention because five of them were in the saddle region, thus preventing ridden exercise. Under general anaesthesia, the cysts were excised and subsequently examined histologically. The horse recovered uneventfully. This report is novel in that such midline cysts have not previously been described outside Australia and North America.     

A Gartner duct cyst of the vagina causing dysuria and dyschezia in a Yorkshire Terrier

A 5 year-old, intact female Yorkshire terrier was referred for dysuria and dyschezia. The radiographic and ultrasound examination showed a round shaped mass caudal to the urinary bladder that contained anechoic fluid within the thin walls. During surgery, the cyst was noted to be attached to the outer wall of the vagina, not connected to the vaginal lumen. Cystic fluid was removed and the cystic wall was resected. Then the remaining cystic wall was omentalized to prevent a recurrence.Histological examination confirmed that the cyst was of Wolffian duct origin. In this case, a large Gartner duct cyst causing urological problems was diagnosed and removed by surgical resection.     

Differential diagnoses,investigation, and management of a periocular swelling close to the nasolacrimal duct in a horse – A case report of Dacryops

To describe the differential diagnoses, investigation, and management of a periocular swelling close to the nasolacrimal duct in a horse that was consistent with a nasolacrimal duct dacryops (lacrimal cyst). A 16‐year‐old gelding, Connemara cross presented with a history of a periocular swelling rostroventral medial to the right eye that had been sampled by the referring veterinary surgeon. A cystic lesion was diagnosed following standing computed tomography. Surgical removal of the cystic lesion was performed, and the tissue was submitted for histopathologic and immunohistochemical examination. Surgical removal of the cyst was curative, and there was no recurrence of clinical signs 7 months later. There was a small amount of mineralized material in the center of the cyst. Histopathologic and immunohistochemical examination confirmed a nasolacrimal duct cyst. Dacryops can form in horses as well as other species and appears to have a favorable outcome if surgically removed.     

Association between age and time from calving and reported lameness in a dairy herd in the Waikato region of New Zealand

Abstract

CASE HISTORY: During the 2014/2015 season 823 predominantly Holstein-Friesian cows calved on a pasture-based farm in the Waikato region of New Zealand. A high prevalence and recurrence rate of lameness had been noted for several years but cows feet were not routinely picked up and therapeutically trimmed.

CLINICAL FINDINGS: At a farm visit in December 2015, 23 cows feet were examined and 18/23 (78%) cows had white line disease and 17/23 (74%) sole haemorrhages, as well as severely overgrown and misshapen hooves.

EPIDEMIOLOGICAL INVESTIGATION: Lameness, culling and reproductive data were collected for the farm for the period from 01 July 2014 to 30 November 2015. In the 2014/2015 season, 207/823 (25.2%) cows were recorded lame, and in the first half of the 2015/16 season 120/850 (14%) cows were recorded lame. Of the cows recorded lame, 52/207 (25.1%) in the 2014/15 season had >1 case of lameness, and 39/120 (32.5%) cows recorded lame in the 2015/2016 season had been lame in the previous season. There was an apparent increase in prevalence between 29–37 weeks post-calving. Cows >7-years-old had seven times the odds of being recorded as lame compared to 2–3-year-old cows (p<0.001). Lameness was not associated with culling, empty rate or days to conception (p>0.3).

DIAGNOSIS: No direct cause for the lameness could be determined.

CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: It was hypothesised that, along with the degenerative changes in the pedal bone as dairy cows increased in age, suboptimal treatment and overgrowth of hooves resulted in permanent changes in the cows feet, resulting in a high prevalence of lameness in older cattle and a high recurrence rate of lameness within and between seasons. This case highlights the importance of prompt identification and treatment of lame cattle.