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.

Noninvasive diode laser-an effective and safe treatment of iris cysts in 46 eyes of 35 horses.

Background: Iris cysts in horses are often asymptomatic and noticed incidentally. However, cysts can cause local corneal oedema and erratic behaviour like shying, decreased performance and head-shaking.

Objectives: To describe the use of diode laser as a noninvasive treatment option for iris cysts in the horse and to document factors influencing its efficacy, associated complications, long-term outcome and rate of recurrence.

Comparing Blind and Ultrasound-Guided Retrobulbar Nerve Blocks in Equine Cadavers: The Training Effect.

In standing ophthalmic surgery in horses, a retrobulbar nerve block (RNB) is often placed blindly for anesthesia and akinesia. The ultrasound (US)-guided RNB may have fewer complications, but the two techniques have only been compared once in equine cadavers. This study compares the techniques for success and complication rates and analyzes the effect of training on US guidance.

Penetration of topically administered dexamethasone disodium phosphate and prednisolone acetate into the normal equine ocular fluids.

Background: Topical dexamethasone and prednisolone are currently the mainstay treatment for equine ophthalmic inflammatory diseases, such as equine recurrent uveitis. Comparative pharmacokinetic studies in horses are lacking and current guidelines are mainly based on empirical data and extrapolation from other species.

Objectives: To investigate the penetration and local concentrations of topically applied dexamethasone and prednisolone in normal equine ocular fluids and serum.

Clinical, ultrasonographic, and histopathologic findings in seven horses with Descemet's membrane detachment: A case series.

Objective: To describe ultrasonography as a diagnostic method of in vivo Descemet's membrane detachment (DMD) in horses.

Animals Studied: Seven horses (three Icelandic horses, two Dutch Warmblood horses, one Appaloosa, and one Welsh Pony), presenting with moderate-to-severe focal or diffuse corneal edema, in whom DMD was suspected on ultrasonographic examination and confirmed with histopathology, were studied.

Procedure: A retrospective analysis of case records of horses with suspected DMD was performed.

Morphological variations of the infraorbital canal during CT has limited association with headshaking in horses.

Headshaking is a common problem in horses. The etiology is unknown but thought to involve sensory input from branches of the trigeminal nerve, some of which are within the infraorbital canal. The objective of this retrospective cross-sectional study was to describe the CT anatomy and variations of the infraorbital canal in horses with local disease processes and normal horses, and to examine associations between those findings and headshaking.

Case series: periocular habronemiasis in five horses in the Netherlands.

In tropical and subtropical climates, infection of periocular tissue by larvae is a recognised cause of conjunctivitis or blepharitis. To the authors' knowledge, only a few cases of habronemiasis have been described in Western Europe, and it has not been documented previously in the Netherlands. The objective of this report is to describe the occurrence of five cases of (peri)ocular habronemiasis in the Netherlands, of which four date from the past few years.

A retrospective analysis of the risk factors for surgical site infections and long-term follow-up after transpalpebral enucleation in horses.

Background: Implants are often used to improve the cosmetic appearance of horses after enucleation of the eye. When surgical site infection (SSI) occurs, the implant will almost always be lost. The aim of this study is to collect data on the risk factors for SSIs and report long-term follow-up (cosmetic results and return to work) after transpalpebral enucleations.