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ObjectivesThis study aimed to investigate and compare the anatomical features of the nasolacrimal drainage system (NDS) in three brachycephalic dog breeds with those of normocephalic dogs, taking into account how the NDS was related to the malformed brachycephalic head.AnimalsFifty-one brachycephalic dogs were examined, comprising 23 Pugs, 18 French Bulldogs, and 10 English Bulldogs. Six normocephalic dogs of different breeds served as a comparison.MethodsComputed tomographic dacryocystography was performed. Parameters such as length, angulation, and gradient were determined. Crossing of the nasolacrimal duct (NLD) beneath the maxillary canine root, as well as the incidence of an accessory opening, were also analyzed.Results and conclusionsIn all three brachycephalic breeds, the NDS was grossly malformed. We regard this as a further consequence of exaggerated breeding for a short head conformation. While the length of the NLD was substantially reduced by 41 to 57 percent in brachycephalic dogs, their lacrimal canaliculi were two to three times as long as those of normocephalic dogs. Varying parts of the nasolacrimal drainage system followed an inverse direction in short-headed dogs, giving the entire nasolacrimal apparatus an anomalous U- or V-shaped appearance. The NLD exhibited a three to five times steeper alignment in brachycephalic dogs than in normocephalic ones. Obviously, this strong slope did not cause clinical symptoms only because there was an aberrant outflow pathway. The brachycephalic dogs consistently exhibited an accessory opening, through which most of fluid escaped into the posterior nasal cavity instead of through the common route into the nasal vestibule via the nasolacrimal ostia.

Eine zu grose Lidspalte ist eine haufige und potenziell folgenschwere Anomalie beim Hund. Besonders die zunehmende Beliebtheit brachyzephaler Hunderassen geht mit einer haufigeren Konfrontation mit diesem Erkrankungsbild in der tierarztlichen Praxis einher. Die fruhzeitige Erkennung und rechtzeitige Therapie dieser Lidveranderung ist essenziell, um schwere, irreparable Folgeschaden zu vermeiden.

The case of a 31-year-old captive female Western lowland gorilla (Gorilla gorilla gorilla) with decreased near vision but good distance vision is presented. Examination of the fundus revealed drusen-like bodies in the macula presumably because of an age-related macular degeneration (AMD).

The case of a 31-year-old captive female Western lowland gorilla (Gorilla gorilla gorilla) with decreased near vision but good distance vision is presented. Examination of the fundus revealed drusen-like bodies in the macula presumably because of an age-related macular degeneration (AMD).

Nach der Ausbildung in einer allgemeintierarztlichen Praxis erfolgte der Wechsel der TFAs Sandra Zorner und Christine Paraljov in die Augentierarztpraxis Dr. Ingrid Allgoewer in den Jahren 2003 und 2005 eher zufallig. Die Arbeit mit und rund um Augenerkrankungen war fur sie schnell spannend und abwechslungsreich. Sandra beschreibt die Arbeit als „asthetisch“. Ein besonderer Vorteil an der Arbeit in einer reinen Augentierarztpraxis ist, dass die Konfrontation mit Patienten, die unter schwerwiegenden systemischen Erkrankungen leiden und ganz besonders die Auseinandersetzung mit dem Thema Euthanasie nahezu vollkommen wegfallen – an Augenerkrankungen „stirbt man meistens nicht“.