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Objective: To describe a minimally invasive approach to the parathyroid gland for the treatment of primary hyperparathyroidism., Study Design: Surgical technique description and clinical case report., Animals: Five canine cadavers and 5 client-owned dogs with primary hyperparathyroidism., Methods: A surgical technique for minimally invasive video-assisted parathyroidectomy (MIVAP), described for humans, was adapted for dogs. With the dog in dorsal recumbency, a 15 mm incision was made on the midline, 1 finger width caudal to the cricoid cartilage of the larynx. A 5 mm 30° rigid endoscope was inserted into the peritracheal space with the aid of a blunt suction dissector, and fine elevators. The parathyroid was subsequently removed using electrocautery and blunt and sharp dissection. The technique was refined in 5 cadaver dogs to assess feasibility, and was subsequently performed in 5 clinical cases., Results: A minimally invasive approach to the parathyroid gland was possible and allowed successful removal of a parathyroid mass in 5 dogs without complication. The use of fluid ingress was trialed in 1 cadaver and not found to be helpful. The use of a blunt suction dissector greatly facilitated dissection of the peritracheal space., Conclusion: Minimally invasive video-assisted parathyroidectomy is feasible in dogs and was not associated with complications in 5 clinical cases., Clinical Significance: Minimally invasive techniques tend to reduce morbidity and are popular with pet owners. This study demonstrates that a minimally invasive technique may be considered for parathyroidectomy in dogs., (© 2022 American College of Veterinary Surgeons.)

The visual system is known to be vital for cognition and perception in the feline and canine and much behavioral research for these species has used visual stimuli and focused on visual perception. There has been extensive investigations into the visual pathway in cats and dogs via histological and neurobiological methods, however to date, only one study has mapped the canine optic pathway in vivo. Advanced imaging methods such as diffusion MRI (DTI) have been routinely used in human research to study the visual system in vivo. This study applied DTI imaging methods to assess and characterize the optic pathway of feline and canine subjects in vivo. The optic nerve (ON), optic tract (OT), and optic radiation (OR) were successfully delineated for each species and the average volume and FA for each tract is reported. The application of DTI to map the optic pathway for canine and feline subjects provides a healthy baseline for comparison in future studies., (© 2021 American College of Veterinary Ophthalmologists.)

Objective: To describe a postcaruncular approach for transorbital endoscopy as an alternative, minimally invasive technique to access the orbital apex., Study Design: Ex vivo and prospective clinical case report., Animals: A 12-year-old male castrated cocker spaniel and three cadaver heads (one large breed dolichocephalic, one medium-sized breed mesocephalic, and one small breed brachycephalic)., Methods: Transorbital endoscopy was performed to obtain biopsies of an orbital apex mass by using a postcaruncular approach. A 2.7-mm 30° rigid endoscope fitted with a cystoscope working sheath was used with the aid of a blunt suction-dissector and fluid ingress. This procedure was first performed on three cadavers to assess feasibility and later performed in a clinical case., Results: By using a transorbital postcaruncular approach, it was possible to visualize and obtain biopsies from structures within the orbital apex with minimal perioperative morbidity. Dissection and expansion of the working space was facilitated with the aid of fluid ingress; however, judicious use of fluids is recommended because secondary orbital edema and chemosis can occur., Conclusion: Transorbital endoscopy via a postcaruncular approach is feasible., Clinical Significance: This technique should be considered in cases in which a histological diagnosis is required prior to definitive treatment as a method to obtain biopsy samples of the orbital apex region without major surgical dissection., (© 2020 The American College of Veterinary Surgeons.)