Cataracts: Clinical presentations,diagnosis and management

Cataracts can be developmental or acquired lesions and cause minimal or significant visual impairment. The ability to identify cataracts and determine the likely effect on the visual potential of the horse is an important part of an equine ocular examination. Cataract surgery is the only treatment for those cataracts that cause significant visual impairment. Understanding appropriate patient selection and potential post operative complications is important so that owners can be appropriately advised of their options.     

Cataracts in Chesapeake Bay Retrievers

Cataracts developed in 13 of 27 related Chesapeake Bay Retrievers. The posterior pole, "Y" sutures, and equatorial cortices of the lens were predominantly affected. In one affected dog, the cataracts had progressed to hypermaturity, permitting restoration of vision. The trait was believed to be dominant, with incomplete penetrance.     

Cataracts in the Bichon Frise

Purpose To determine the clinical characteristics of possible inherited cataract in the Bichon Frise breed. These characteristics include the relative frequency, gender effects, site of first cataract formation, age of onset, relationship of age to cataract maturity, and other concurrent pre‐ and postoperative ophthalmic diseases. Methods Four different populations of Bichon Frise were examined. They included: (1) referred patients of the University of Florida (VMTH; 1990–2000); (2) patients from other universities and large institutions (VMDB; 1970–2000); (3) patients from the Canine Eye Registry Foundation (CERF; 1970–2000); and (4) special patients recruited from eye clinics and ACVO specialty practices (1995–2001). Blood samples were obtained from many patients for future DNA analyzes. Statistical comparisons between groups were by general linear and anova analyzes, and P < 0.05 was considered significant. Results The four populations of cataractous and total Bichon Frise dogs included: (1) UF‐VMTH: 57 cataractous dogs; (2) VMDB: 406 dogs (28%) with cataracts; total dogs ? 1407; (3) CERF: 505 cataractous dogs (6%); total dogs ? 8222; and (4) ACVO: 223 cataractous dogs (57%); total dogs ? 391. In each population group, gender did not affect cataract distribution. Dogs between 2 and 8 years of age were most frequently affected, and initial cataract involvement affected equally the anterior and posterior cortices. Immature cataracts occurred more often in younger dogs, and hypermature cataracts were more frequently diagnosed in older dogs. Dogs with early cataracts were encountered more frequently in the CERF population. Pre‐ and postoperative retinal detachments (RD) were not infrequently diagnosed in the UF‐VMTH and VMDB groups. RD in the UF‐VMTH and VMDB groups occurred in 33% and 13% of the patients, respectively. Conclusions Cataracts were first encountered in CERF and VMDB data between 1975 and 1979 and have increased since this time. As expected, both similarities and differences between the four different populations of Bichon Frise were encountered. Both sexes of dogs are equally affected. The anterior and posterior cortical areas of the lens were first involved and dogs 2–8 years of age are most frequently affected. Cataracts affected younger dogs in the CERF group and older cataractous dogs in the other populations. Cataract formation appears to be inherited in the Bichon Frise dog. The frequency of pre‐ and postoperative retinal detachments present higher risks for cataract surgery in this breed.     

Cataracts and optic nerve hypoplasia in turkey poults

Newly hatched commercial turkey poults culled because of grossly visible cataracts were studied. A total of 43 affected and 23 unaffected control poults at various ages were necropsied, and the ocular changes in affected poults were compared with those of aged-matched controls. Affected poults had consistent cataracts coupled with a marked depletion in retinal inner plexiform, ganglion cell, and optic nerve fiber layers, with a resultant reduction in the size of the optic nerves. Lesions were seen in 1-day-old poults. Lens changes included microphakia and lens fiber degeneration throughout the lens, with nuclear liquefaction. The depletion in the numbers of retinal ganglion cells did not appear to progress over several weeks time. The ganglion cell depletion was not uniform within the retina. The cause for these ocular changes is unknown.     

Feline toxicological emergencies: when to suspect and what to do

PRACTICAL RELEVANCE: Confirmed or suspected intoxications with a wide variety of agents represent a small but important group of feline emergency cases. Generally it is thought that toxicities are less common in cats compared with dogs, with a higher proportion relating to dermal as opposed to oral exposure. CLINICAL CHALLENGES: Once toxicity is suspected or diagnosed, it must be recognised that treatment regimes may need modification compared with those established for dogs. Different drugs or different dosages may be warranted and the choice of available drugs may be reduced. EVIDENCE BASE: This review draws on published studies, case reports and clinical experience to summarise key features of the general management of the intoxicated feline patient before describing some of the more serious and common intoxications in more detail. AUDIENCE: The focus throughout the review is on the peculiarities of feline metabolism and how they may impact on presentation and treatment. The aim is to assist companion animal and feline practitioners, who are in the frontline when it comes to managing these emergency cases.     

Cataracts in Labrador Retriever and Jack Russell Terrier From the United Kingdom: A Two-Year Retrospective Study

Cataracts are among the most common ocular diseases, and are a leading cause of vision loss in humans and dogs. Jack Russell Terriers (JRT) and Labrador Retrievers (LR) are among the most popular canine breeds in the United Kingdom, and also among the most affected by cataracts.This study aimed to analyze the clinical features and the surgical outcome of cataracts in JRT and LR in an ophthalmologic reference Veterinary Hospital in the United Kingdom. For that purpose, medical records from JRT and LR diagnosed with cataracts between January 2015 and December 2016 were retrospectively evaluated. Data related to identification, clinical history, preoperative features, and surgical outcomes were analyzed.Forty-four dogs (81 eyes), including 26 JRT and 18 LR, were enrolled in the study. Mean ages were 10.2 ± 3.2 years in JRT and 8.5 ± 3.7 years in LR. Twenty-eight (63.6%) were females and 16 (36.4%) were males. Most dogs (84.1%) presented with bilateral cataracts. Nuclear and cortical cataracts were the most prevalent type in both breeds (JRT: n?=?30, 61.2%; LR: n?=?16, 50.0%), although subcapsular cataracts were also frequent in LR (n?=?10, 31.3%). Significant differences in cataract location within the lens were detected between the two breeds (P?=?.002).Senile in JRT (n?=?7) and genetic in LR (n?=?7) were the most common etiologies. Concomitant ocular lesions were more frequent in dogs presented with cataracts in advanced stages, and included lens (n?=?18; JRT: n?=?15; LR: n?=?3) and retinal alterations (n?=?8; JRT: n?=?2; LR: n?=?6), and glaucoma (n?=?6; JRT: n?=?5; LR: n?=?1). Thirty-three animals (75.0%, 51 eyes) were submitted to phacoemulsification with intraocular lens placement. Of these, 28 eyes (54.9%; JRT: n?=?21; LR: n?=?7) were visual, 19 eyes (37.3%; JRT: n?=?11; LR: n?=?8) presented impaired vision and four eyes (7.8%; JRT: n?=?0; LR: n?=?4) were blind at last clinical record. Postoperative complications were detected in 11 eyes (21.6%), and were more frequent in dogs presented with cataracts in advanced stages.These results and the multifactorial nature of cataracts call for further studies to identify and characterize the variables in a broader assessment, including other breeds and influencing factors.     

育雏环节中应注意的几个问题

目前,我国广大农村养鸡发展很快,养鸡场和养鸡专业户如雨后春笋遍布城乡各地,饲养规模逐渐扩大,形势看好。但当前影响养鸡经济效益的突出问题之一是育雏的成败。下面就育雏工作中的几个关键问题作如下论述。１关于育雏温度众所周知,适宜的环境温度是育雏成功的首要条件。总结各地经验,有高温育雏、常规低温育雏和超低温育雏等,笔者认为,有些养鸡户未根据不同的育雏形式施以合理的育雏温度,由于育雏形式与供温方式不同,育雏温度也不应该一样。一般采用重叠笼育雏,垂直温度不同,加上低层雏鸡以及供暖系统散发的热量给上层笼提供温度,因此,舍温…