Persistent hyperplastic tunica vasculosa lentis and persistent hyaloid artery in a 2-year-old basset hound.

A 2-year-old Basset hound with unilateral persistent hyperplastic tunica vasculosa lentis and primary vitreous is described. There was leukokoria in the left eye, caused by bluish-white polar densities and haemorrhagic discoloration in the nucleus of the lens. Ultrasonographic examination of the eye revealed a small hyperechoic lens and a hyperechoic linear soft-tissue strand extending from the posterior pole of the lens through the optic disc. Power Doppler imaging revealed blood flow in this persistent hyaloid artery, but 5 months later, immediately prior to surgery, there was no flow in this artery. Ultrasonography, including Power Doppler imaging, was useful to confirm the diagnosis and to estimate the complications of surgery, especially the risk of vitreal haemorrhage after cutting of the persistent hyaloid artery. Comparison of the ultrasonographic images with those obtained by computed tomography suggested that the resolution of computed tomography is inadequate for identifying structures as fine as a persistent hyaloid artery.     

Ocular complications of persistent hyperplastic primary vitreous in three dogs

Persistent hyperplastic primary vitreous (PHPV) syndrome associated with either severe ocular complications or multiple ocular lesions was diagnosed in three young dogs, a Samoyed, a Spanish Pachon, and a mixed breed dog. Due to opacification of the anterior ocular structures, B-mode and color-flow Doppler ultrasonography were performed to aid diagnosis. The Samoyed presented with unilateral hyphema; the Spanish Pachon presented with unilateral secondary glaucoma associated with uveitis and hyphema OD and leucocoria OU; and the mixed breed presented with bilateral leucocoria. B-mode ultrasonography of the Samoyed revealed a subcapsular cataract and a hyperechoic tubular structure attached from the optic disk to the posterior lens capsule. In the Spanish Pachon B-mode ultrasonography of the right eye indicated microphakia, cataract formation, and a retrolental mass with a thin hyperechoic strand stretching from the optic disk to the posterior lens; and for the right eye cataract formation, PHPV, retinal detachment, and vitreous hemorrhage. In the mixed breed dog, B-mode ultrasonography of both eyes indicated microphthalmia, retrolental mass, and hyperechoic lenses. By color-flow Doppler imaging, blood flow was present in the retrolental mass of the right eye suggesting a persistent hyaloid artery.     

Inherited retinal dysplasia and persistent hyperplastic primary vitreous in Miniature Schnauzer dogs

The objectives of this study were to define the clinical syndrome of retinal dysplasia and persistent primary vitreous in Miniature Schnauzer dogs and determine the etiology. We examined 106 Miniature Schnauzers using a biomicroscope and indirect ophthalmoscope. The anterior and posterior segments of affected dogs were photographed. Four enucleated eyes were examined using routine light microscopy and scanning electron microscopy. A pedigree was constructed and related dogs were test-bred to define the mode of inheritance of this syndrome. Congenital retinal dysplasia was confirmed in 24 of 106 related Miniature Schnauzer dogs. Physical and postmortem examinations revealed that congenital abnormalities were limited to the eyes. Biomicroscopic, indirect ophthalmoscopic, and neuro-ophthalmic examinations confirmed that some of these dogs were blind secondary to bilateral retinal dysplasia and detachment (nonattachment) (n = 13), and the remainder had generalized retinal dysplasia (n = 11). Fifteen of these dogs were also diagnosed with unilateral (n = 9) or bilateral (n = 6) persistent hyperplastic primary vitreous. Nutritional, infectious, or toxic etiologies were not evident on physical, postmortem, light microscopic, or transmitting and scanning electron microscopic examination of four affected Miniature Schnauzers. We examined the pedigree and determined that an autosomal recessive mode of inheritance was most likely. Three test-bred litters including those from affected parents, carrier and affected parents, and carrier parents confirmed this mode of inheritance. This study confirms that retinal dysplasia and persistent hyperplastic primary vitreous is a congenital abnormality that is inherited as an autosomal recessive condition in Miniature Schnauzers.     

Unilateral persistent hyperplastic tunica vasculosa lentis and persistent hyperplastic primary vitreous in a rabbit

A 3‐month wild rabbit was presented for examination of ocular opacities in the left eye. A complete bilateral ocular examination including slit‐lamp examination, indirect ophthalmoscopy, tonometry, and ultrasound biomicroscopy was performed. Biomicroscopy of the lens of the left eye showed a retrolental fibrovascular membrane causing leukocoria. The opacity prevented biomicroscopy of the vitreous and funduscopy OS. No other disorder was present in either eye. Ultrasound examination did not show any difference between the right and left eye. Histopathological examination showed a 50‐μm thick, preretinal, retrolental, nonpigmented, fibrovascular tissue. Posterior synechiae were present, but no other lesion of the posterior segment was found in this eye. These ocular abnormalities are consistent with a persistent hyperplastic tunica vasculosa lentis and persistent hyperplastic primary vitreous (PHTVL/PHPV), similar to those described in other species.     

Persistent hyperplastic tunica vasculosa lentis and persistent hyperplastic primary vitreous in transgenic line TgN3261Rpw

Persistent hyperplastic tunica vasculosa lentis and persistent hyperplastic primary vitreous are congenital ocular anomalies that can lead to cataract formation. A line of insertional mutant mice, TgN3261Rpw, generated at the Oak Ridge National Laboratory in a large-scale insertional mutagenesis program was found to have a low incidence (8/243; 3.29%) of multiple developmental ocular abnormalities. The ocular abnormalities include persistent hyperplastic primary vitreous, persistent hyperplastic tunica vasculosa lentis, failure of cleavage of the anterior segment, retrolental fibrovascular membrane, posterior polar cataract, and detached retina. This transgenic mouse line provides an ontogenetic model because of the high degree of similarity of this entity in humans, dogs, and mice.     

Persistent hyperplastic tunica vasculosa lentis and persistent hyperplastic primary vitreous (PHTVL/PHPV) in two cats

Two domestic shorthair cats (6 and 9 months old) were presented for examination of ocular opacities. One cat had bilateral persistent pupillary membranes, unilaterally accompanied by persistent hyperplastic tunica vasculosa lentis, persistent hyperplastic primary vitreous (PHTVL/PHPV), and cataract. The second cat had bilateral PHTVL/PHPV with dense white plaques in the posterior lens capsule and subcapsular cortex.     

Congenital cataracts and persistent hyaloid vasculature in a llama (Lama glama)

A 9-month-old llama was evaluated for apparent blindness. Bilateral cataracts were diagnosed and cataract surgery was performed on the right eye. At the time of surgery persistent hyperplastic primary vitreous, persistent hyperplastic tunica vasculosa lentis, and a persistent hyaloid artery were observed. Prior to surgery Power Doppler ultrasound revealed a patent tunica vasculosa lentis OS. Despite reports of a poor success rate for llama cataract surgery, through use of careful tissue handling, phacoemulsification, viscoelastic endothelial protectants, anti-inflammatories, and BSS-Plus irrigating solution, vision was successfully restored in both eyes of the llama.     

Surgical management and histologic and immunohistochemical features of a cataract and retrolental plaque secondary to persistent hyperplastic tunica vasculosa lentis/persistent hyperplastic primary vitreous (PHTVL/PHPV) in a Bloodhound puppy

The objective of this study was to describe the clinical, histologic and immunohistochemical features, the surgical treatment, and outcome of a cataract secondary to persistent hyperplastic tunica vasculosa lentis/persistent hyperplastic primary vitreous (PHTVL/PHPV) in a dog. A 4-month-old male Bloodhound dog presented for evaluation of a cataract. A complete ophthalmic examination and ocular ultrasonography were performed. A resorbing cataract with intralenticular hemorrhage, lens induced uveitis, and PHTVL/PHPV were diagnosed. Extracapsular cataract extraction using phacoemulsification was performed. A primary posterior capsulectomy was performed to remove a retrolental plaque with the posterior capsule; the excised plaque was submitted for histopathology and immunohistochemical staining. A 41-Diopter intraocular lens (IOL) was implanted. Functional vision was maintained postoperatively during the 21-month follow-up period. Histologically, the posterior capsule was coiled and exhibited duplication. The retrolental plaque was comprised of dense fibrous connective tissue, blood vessels, free red blood cells, hemosiderin-laden macrophages, a pocket of neural tissue and numerous perivascular mast cells. With immunohistochemical staining, the neural elements were determined to be glial cells compatible with astrocytes. Cataract secondary to PHTVL/PHPV can be successfully treated using phacoemulsification and planned posterior capsulectomy. Posterior lens capsule duplication, mast cells and astrocytic glial cells may be normal components of the fibrovascular retrolental plaque associated with PHTVL/PHPV.     

Comparative Doppler imaging of the ophthalmic vasculature in normal Beagles and Beagles with inherited primary open-angle glaucoma

The objective of this study was to compare orbital and ocular vasculature velocity, measured by Doppler imaging, in normal Beagles and Beagles with inherited primary open-angle glaucoma. Eight normal Beagles and 13 Beagles with different stages of primary open-angle glaucoma were evaluated twice with a 2–4-week period between measurements. Doppler imaging was performed with the dogs anesthetized, and the Doppler transducer applied directly on the corneal surface. The majority of the orbital vasculature (external ethmoidal artery; internal ophthalmic artery and vein; and external ophthalmic artery and vein) and ocular blood vessels (anterior ciliary artery and veins; long posterior ciliary arteries; short posterior ciliary arteries; primary retinal arteries; and the vortex veins) were identified and Doppler blood velocity parameters were determined. The glaucomatous dogs demonstrated significant differences in the Doppler velocity parameters of several orbital vessels (external ethmoidal, external ophthalmic, and internal ophthalmic arteries), and several ocular vessels (anterior ciliary, short posterior ciliary, and long posterior ciliary arteries). These differences included decreased blood velocities, and increased pulsatility and resistive indexes. The Doppler blood flow velocities of the primary retinal arteries were unchanged between the normal and glaucomatous dogs. In the glaucomatous dogs, the Doppler imaging suggests increased vascular resistance downstream in both the orbital and ocular vasculature. These blood velocity parameter changes may be primary or secondary, and may offer therapeutic opportunities to increase perfusion, prolong the retina and optic nerve head function, and maintain vision in the canine glaucomas.     

Intraocular sarcoma associated with lens capsule rupture and persistent hyperplastic primary vitreous in a dog

This case report describes the clinical findings and ocular pathology in an adult Golden Retriever diagnosed with an intraocular sarcoma. Nineteen s prior to diagnosis with a lens capsule rupture and intraocular sarcoma, the dog was diagnosed with persistent hyperplastic primary vitreous and uveitis based on clinical signs and the ultrasonographic appearance of the eye. Two years after enucleation, there was no evidence of metastatic spread of the sarcoma. The immunohistochemical characteristics of the tumor as well as the limitations and supportive evidence used in attempting to identify the histogenesis of the tumor are outlined.     

Contrast-enhanced ultrasonography in the differentiation of retinal detachment and vitreous membrane in dogs and cats

Objectives : To evaluate contrast‐enhanced ultrasonography (CEU) and colour Doppler imaging (CDI) for detection of persistent vascularisation in retinal detachment. Methods : In 22 eyes, retinal detachment (n=13) and vitreous membranes (n=9) were confirmed by ophthalmological examination, during cataract surgery, by histopathology or after vitreoretinal surgery. Tentative diagnosis of retinal detachment or vitreous membrane was made using grey‐scale B‐mode ultrasonography. Assessment of retinal detachment was based on the presence or absence of vascularisation in the membranous structure using CDI and CEU. Results : Sensitivity, specificity, positive‐predictive value and negative‐predictive value of grey‐scale ultrasonography in differentiating retinal detachment from vitreous membrane were 92·3%, 66·6%, 80% and 85·7%. In 91% of eyes, colour Doppler assessment was unsuccessful due to the movement of the eye. Persistent vascularisation was demonstrated in all cases of retinal detachments with CEU. CEU was 100% accurate for detection and differentiation between retinal detachment and vitreous membrane. Clinical Significance : CEU is a useful clinical tool for the diagnosis of retinal detachment and vitreous membrane in dogs and cats.     

Transcranial Doppler sonographic findings in granulomatous meningoencephalitis in small breed dogs

Granulomatous meningoencephalitis (GME) is an acute, progressive, and often fatal inflammatory disease of the central nervous system, affecting mainly small and toy dog breeds. A definitive diagnosis of GME can only be achieved through histopathologic examination of samples collected after death. This retrospective study describes transcranial Doppler ultrasonography (TDS) findings in dogs with confirmed clinical histopathology of GME. Eleven dogs were selected for this study. Sonographic findings in B-mode demonstrated diffuse decreased brain parenchyma echogenicity in 9 dogs, ventriculomegaly in 8 dogs, brain atrophy in 4 dogs, and hyperechoic focal lesions in 6 dogs. Color Doppler imaging revealed more obvious vessels of the arterial circle in 10 dogs. Spectral Doppler examination was performed in 10 dogs to detect the 6 major cerebral arteries of interest. The examination showed normal and high resistive index (RI) values in the outlined arteries. The TDS findings were consistent with pathology found on postmortem examination.     

Globoid cell leucodystrophy in a Basset hound

A purebred four-year-old male Basset hound was presented to the Auburn University Small Animal Clinic in a paraparetic condition. Ante-mortem examination and testing did not provide a definitive diagnosis. A diagnosis of globoid cell leucodystrophy was made pathologically.     

Longitudinal left ventricular myocardial dysfunction assessed by 2D colour tissue Doppler imaging in a dog with systemic hypertension and severe arteriosclerosis

A 12-year-old sexually intact male Vendee Griffon Basset was presented for acute pulmonary oedema. Severe systemic systolic arterial hypertension (SAH) was diagnosed (290 mmHg). Despite blood and abdominal ultrasound tests, the underlying cause of the systemic hypertension could not be determined, and primary SAH was therefore suspected. Conventional echocardiography showed eccentric left ventricular hypertrophy with normal fractional shortening. Despite this apparent normal systolic function, 2D colour tissue Doppler imaging (TDI) identified a marked longitudinal systolic left ventricular myocardial alteration, whereas radial function was still preserved. Three months later, the dog underwent euthanasia because of an acute episode of distal aortic thromboembolism. Necropsy revealed severe aortic and iliac arteriosclerosis. SAH related to arteriosclerosis is a common finding in humans, but has not been previously described in dogs. Moreover, its consequence on longitudinal myocardial function using TDI has never been documented before in this species.     

Idiopathic periadnexal multinodular granulomatous dermatitis in twenty-two dogs

A distinctive periadnexal multinodular granulomatous dermatitis of unknown cause was diagnosed over a 6-year period in 22 dogs (13 males and nine females) aged 8 months to 10 years, purebred as well as mixed-breed. Nodules, usually more than two, started on the face and were often unaccompanied by signs of irritation. All dogs were otherwise healthy except a Viszla with bilateral anterior uveitis and a Basset hound with nasal congestion and sneezing. Microscopically, cutaneous lesions occurred in a periadnexal pattern, replaced sebaceous glands, coalesced, and extended into the subcutis and in more advanced cases through the panniculus carnosus. Infectious agents were not demonstrated by aerobic, anaerobic, or fungus cultures or by light or electron microscopy, nor were ectoparasites seen. Immunofluorescence and peroxidase-antiperoxidase techniques gave negative results for intraepidermal and basement membrane deposits of IgA, IgG, IgM, and C3. Lesions were unresponsive to a variety of antibiotics; they regressed spontaneously in two untreated dogs and rapidly in dogs given only corticosteroid therapy. Continuous low-dose corticosteroids were necessary in a few dogs to prevent recurrence.     

Evaluation of the arterial blood pressure of dogs by two noninvasive methods.

The determination of the arterial blood pressure was done on 12 healthy mixed breed dogs in both the anesthetized and the conscious state, to evaluate two instruments (Doppler flow detector and infrasonde D4000), in their ability to indirectly determine arterial blood pressure. The coefficients of variation were higher with indirect methods when compared with the results obtained by cannulation. These coefficients were lower with the Doppler flow detector. The correlation study showed that both apparatuses were reliable in most situations. The infrasonde D4000 was more accurate than the Doppler in the conscious animals. However the results showed a lack of precision in hypertensive conscious dogs. The diastolic arterial blood pressure was particularly precise in the case of the anesthetized hypotensive dogs. Its sensitivity allowed it to register muscle movement artifacts. The Doppler flow detector showed less variation and was particularly accurate in both anesthetized and conscious hypertensive dogs. Its sensitivity allowed artifact movement sounds to be detected. The Doppler should be used in quiet surroundings or earphones should be worn by the evaluator. Some form of restraint is needed with the use of both instruments. Even if the correlations with the direct arterial blood pressure values were better with the infrasonde D4000, greater variations were found in the individual readings. The Doppler instrument represents in the hands of the investigators a better instrument for routine monitoring of blood pressure in the dog.     

Estimation of left ventricular filling pressure by Doppler echocardiography in dogs with pacing-induced heart failure

BACKGROUND: Congestive heart failure (CHF) is a common clinical syndrome characterized by elevated filling pressure. HYPOTHESIS: Doppler echocardiographic (DE) variables of left ventricular (LV) filling can predict a decline of LV end-diastolic pressure (LVEDP) induced by acute preload reduction in dogs with compensated CHF. ANIMALS: Five male hound dogs. METHODS: Dogs previously instrumented with a transvenous cardiac pacemaker and a LV pressure gauge were paced at 160-180 bpm to induce mild CHF characterized by LVEDP > 20 mmHg. LVEDP and 9 DE variables of LV filling derived from diastolic time intervals, transmitral and pulmonary venous flow, and tissue Doppler imaging were measured simultaneously at baseline and 30, 60, 120, and 240 minutes after furosemide (4 mg/kg, IV) or placebo (0.9% saline, IV). Repeated measures analysis of variance and correlation analysis were used to determine the association between the decline of LVEDP after furosemide and DE measures of LV filling pressure (LVFP). RESULTS: Furosemide but not placebo decreased LVEDP (P < .001). The ratio of early transmitral flow velocity to LV isovolumic relaxation time (E : IVRT) predicted LVEDP best (R(2)= .50; P < .001). Correlations were also found between LVEDP and IVRT, E, ratio between E and late diastolic transmitral flow velocity (E : A), and early diastolic velocity of the mitral annulus (Ea). The ratio of E to Ea (E : Ea) was not useful in the prediction of LVEDP in this model. CONCLUSION AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: E : IVRT can be used to predict LVFP in dogs with mild left-sided CHF induced by rapid pacing.     

Skin and mucosal populations of Malassezia pachydermatis in healthy and seborrhoeic Basset Hounds

Quantitative and semiquantitative cultural techniques were used to study skin and mucosal carriage of Malassezia pachydermatis in 20 healthy mixed-breed dogs, 13 healthy Basset Hounds and 33 seborrhoeic Basset Hounds. The frequencies of isolation and population sizes from the axilla, nose, mouth and vulva were significantly greater ( P  < 0.01) in both groups of Basset Hounds when compared with the healthy mixed-breed dogs. Population sizes in the seborrhoeic Basset Hounds exceeded those of the healthy bassets at the nose ( P  < 0.05), vulva ( P  < 0.01) and axilla ( P  < 0.001). However, the frequencies of isolation and population sizes of the yeast from the anus were comparable in the three groups of dogs. The relatively high skin and mucosal populations in healthy Basset Hounds may explain, in part, the predisposition to ' Malassezia dermatitis' in this breed. However, the factors which enable the yeast to establish such high populations in Basset Hounds remain unclear.     

COLOR DOPPLER ULTRASONOGRAPHY IN PREDICTION OF THE REDUCIBILITY OF INTUSSUSCEPTED BOWEL IN 15 YOUNG DOGS

Color Doppler ultrasonography was performed in 15 young dogs with intestinal intussusception to test the hypothesis that color Doppler findings can be used as a predictor of the manual reducibility of the intussusception at celiotomy. Color flow Doppler ultrasonography indicated blood flow within mesentery of the intussuscepted bowel in 12 of 15 dogs and reduction was achieved in nine of these 12 dogs (75%). In the remaining three dogs and in three dogs where no color Doppler signal were observed, an irreducible intussusception was confirmed at celiotomy. Color Doppler ultrasonography is a useful method for predicting the reducibility of intussusception in dogs.