Objectives To validate a retinal imaging software named VAMPIRE® (Vascular Assay and Measurement Platform for Images of the Retina) in feline patients and test the clinical utility in hypertensive cats. Animals studied One hundred and five healthy cats were enrolled. They represented the normal dataset used in the validation (group 1). Forty‐three hypertensive cats with no noticeable retinal abnormalities were enrolled for the clinical validity of the software (group 2). Procedures Eleven points (4 veins, 4 arteries, and 3 arterial bifurcations) were measured for each digital image. Repeatability and reproducibility of measurements were assessed using two independent operators. Data were statistically analyzed by the Mann‐Whiney and Tukey box plot. Significance was considered when P < 0.05. Results Two hundred and ten retinal images were analyzed for a total of 2310 measurements. Total mean was 9.1 and 6.1 pixels for veins and arteries, respectively. First, second, and third arteriolar bifurcations angles were 73.6°, 76.9°, and 85.4°, respectively. A comparison between groups 1 and 2 showed a statistically significant reduction in arteriolar diameter (mean 3.3 pixels) and branch angle (55°, 47.8° and 59.9°) associated with increasing vein diameter (mean 24.15 pixels). Conclusions Current image analysis techniques used in human medicine were investigated in terms of extending their use to veterinary medicine. The VAMPIRE® algorithm proved useful for an objective diagnosis of retinal vasculature changes secondary to systemic hypertension in cats, and could be an additional diagnostic test for feline systemic hypertension.

Objectives To determine the prevalence of ocular fundus abnormalities in cats with a diagnosis of systemic hypertension, to characterize the abnormalities observed, and to evaluate ophthalmoscopic evolution during treatment with amlodipine besylate. Animals studied Cats diagnosed as affected by SHP in a 2‐year period. Procedures Systemic hypertension was assessed by oscillometric blood pressure measurement, and its etiology was also established. All the cats received an ophthalmic examination, and ocular lesions were classified with a score from 0 (no abnormalities) to 4 (severe abnormalities). All cats received amlodipine besylate by mouth, and those that showed fundus abnormalities were regularly rechecked from 7 to 365 days after diagnosis. Data were statistically analyzed to compare Psys and Pdia with all the variables and to correlate Psys and Pdia with the fundus score. Results A total of 225 cats were enrolled in the study, and the prevalence of fundus abnormalities was 58.6% (21.2%: grade 1; 18.2%: grade 2; 36.4%: grade 3; and 24.2%: grade 4). Systemic hypertension was diagnosed concurrently with chronic renal failure (60.4%), hyperthyroidism (28.9%), both chronic renal failure and hyperthyroidism (7.6%), and hypertrophic myocardiopathy (3.1%). A significant effect of Psys values on the fundus score was detected. Amlodipine therapy improved fundus abnormalities in 50% of cases at the 21‐day follow‐up. Conclusions This study showed that fundus abnormalities are common in hypertensive cats at the time of the systemic diagnosis, and most of the abnormalities are moderate to severe. Treatment with amlodipine appeared to improve ophthalmic lesions over time.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the diagnostic value of imaging-guided core needle biopsy for canine orbital mass diagnosis. A second excisional biopsy obtained during surgery or necropsy was used as the reference standard. A prospective feasibility study was conducted in 23 canine orbital masses at a single centre. A complete ophthalmic examination was always followed by orbital ultrasound and computed tomography (CT) examination of the head. All masses were sampled with the patient still on the CT table using ultrasound (US) guided automatic tru-cut device. The most suitable sampling approach to the orbit was chosen each time based on the CT image analysis. One of the following different approaches was used: trans-orbital, trans-conjunctival or trans-masseteric. In all cases, the imaging-guided biopsy provided a sufficient amount of tissue for the histopathological diagnosis, which concurred with the biopsies obtained using the excisional technique. CT examination was essential for morphological diagnosis and provided detailed topographic information that allowed us to choose the safest orbital approach for the biopsy. US guided automatic tru-cut biopsy based on CT images, performed with patient still on the CT table, resulted in a minimally invasive, relatively easy, and accurate diagnostic procedure in dogs with orbital masses.

A case of exophthalmos due to zygomatic mucocele in a puppy with ipsilateral segmental maxillary atrophy is reported. A 7-month-old, mixed breed, male dog suffered the sudden-onset of unilateral painful exophthalmos and a gradual swelling of the right temporal region. A compressing, right retrobulbar mass was observed by ultrasound. Computed tomography revealed a large multiloculated cyst-like lesion of the right zygomatic gland projecting into the orbital space, thus displacing the eyeball. The ipsilateral molar part of the maxillary bone was underdeveloped, besides showing crowded, abnormal, multiple, unerupted maxillary molar teeth in the caudal maxillary region. Modified lateral orbitotomy and a selective caudal maxillary bone access were performed. The cyst-like lesion was removed and the zygomatic gland and the wall was collected for histology, which confirmed the mucocele. Clinical and imaging examinations six months after surgery showed neither recurrence of the mucocele nor ocular abnormalities. A possible common pathogenic mechanism involving these two conditions could be hypothesized.

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A four-year-old Scottish Shepherd dog was referred for acute onset of disorientation, blindness and chronic diarrhoea. The neurological examination was consistent with a multifocal neurolocalisation involving the prosencephalon and the brainstem. The ophthalmological exam showed bilateral chorioretinitis with retinal detachment. The brain MRI showed periventricular and left caudate nucleus lesions, increased thickness of the left III, IV, VI and opthalmic branch of V cranial nerves and bilateral multifocal lesions in the temporal and masseter muscles. Cerebrospinal fluid examination showed mild mixed pleocytosis. Faecal and urine cultures were positive for Prototheca zopfii genotype 2. Despite starting itraconazole therapy, the dog’s conditions deteriorated and the owner elected euthanasia. Protothecosis should be suspected in young dogs with multifocal neurological signs, blindness and chronic diarrhoea.MRI study of the central nervous system (CNS), together with blood exam, cytology and cultures, is a useful tool to evaluate the CNS in disseminated form of Prototheca infection.