This study aimed to characterize ocular diseases in dogs naturally affected by visceral leishmaniasis in Teresina, Piauí State, Brazil. The diagnosis was made using parasitological exams of the bone-marrow and lymph-node samples. The main ophthalmological findings were uveitis, conjunctivitis, blepharitis, keratitis, and keratoconjunctivitis sicca. Normocytic normochromic anemia was the main hematological finding, followed by thrombocytopenia. Plasma proteins were also considered, and hyperproteinemia, hypergammaglobulinemia, and hypoalbuminemia were observed. Ocular histopathological examination revealed mild inflammation involving lymphocytes, monocytes, and macrophages. Results indicate the need to perform a differential diagnosis to rule out or establish the presence of Leishmania sp. in dogs presenting with ophthalmic lesions in endemic regions.

Background: Vascular ring anomalies were congenital malformation of the great vessels, caused by defects in embryogenesis of the aortic arches. In dogs the most common type is persistent right aortic arch (PRAA). The PRAA occurs when the fourth right aortic arch persists instead of left to form the aorta. This malformation causes extraluminal compression of the esophagus up to the base of the heart. The constriction leads to esophageal dilatation secondary, located cranial to the base heart. The food, which can not progress beyond the narrowing, is regurgitated intermittently. Thus, the main clinical sign of disease is regurgitation when the patient starts eating solid foods. Respiratory clinical signs (mainly pneumonia by aspiration) may occur and can complicate the disease. The diagnosis is suspected by history (puppies at weaning) and physical examination. The diagnosis is confirmed by the esophagogram, where the image is characteristic (esophagic dilatation cranial base of the heart). The treatment of the affection is surgical, with transection and ligature of the vascular ring, viewed during thoracotomy by fourth intercostal space. The postoperative management which consists mainly of liquid diet and/or pasty is important for total recovery of the animal. In some cases, the animal must receive a special diet for life to prevent regurgitation. However at long term, most operated animal presents important sequels. These sequelae include respiratory disorders and low development of animal. The objective of the present paper is to relate a case of bitch with persistent right aortic arch, successful treated surgically, without serious clinical consequences. Case: A mongrel bitch with 2 months of age was attended at the Veterinary Hospital of the Federal University of the Piauí, Brazil, with vomiting. At the clinical examination was observed increase in volume in the cervical region. Radiographic examination revealed dilatation cranial to the heart base, characterizing megaesohagus. The diagnosis was PRAA. The dog was submitted at thoracotomy by fourth right intercostal space. The ligamentum arteriosum was localized and ligated at the distal and craniallly. During transoperative was made blood transfusion for correction of the anemia detected in preoperative period. The chest wall was closed routinely. Two days after surgery the dog was discharged. The postoperative diet consisted of liquids for a week, followed by semi-solid food always in bipedal position. After discharge, the owner returned for monthly visits for a year, with completion of physical examination and radiographs. Discussion: PRAA is most common in purebred dog, but in this case the animal is a mixed breed dog. The diagnosis was suspected due to history, and confirmed by esophagogram, where there was megaesophagus cranial to the heart base, according by literature. The surgical treatment, rapidly decided, and the absence of pneumonia, which is the main complication postsurgical, contributed to the observed good results. The blood transfusion to cor...

Background: Anophthalmia refers to the complete absence of an eyeball. It is a very rare congenital condition that affects all breeds of dogs, which may be unilateral or bilateral. Anophthalmia results from a severe developmental deficiency in the primitive forebrain, prior to the formation of the optic sulcus. This condition has a complex etiology, and chromosomal, monogenic, and environmental causes have already been identified. There might be an association between anophthalmia and other congenital abnormalities. This case report aimed to report the case of a male dog with bilateral anophthalmia associated with penile malformation. Case: A 3-year-old male mongrel dog was evaluated in a clinical consultation at the Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital of the Federal University of Piauí (UFPI) - Teresina - Brazil, with signs of anemia and diarrhea. His vaccinations were not up to date (multiple and anti-rabies), presented ectoparasites (ticks), and showed inappetence. The owner reported that the animal was blind from birth, was already well adapted to its environment, had the company of other animals, and had no access to the street. On clinical examination, the animal had a good body score. The eyelids were bilaterally present with normally developed eyelashes. Both the head and face had a symmetrical appearance, without structural abnormalities, and the palpebral fissures were narrow. When opening the eyelids manually, the presence of the conjunctiva was observed bilaterally, the orbits were shallow, and neither orbit contained the eyeball. Further inspection with an ophthalmic clinical flashlight did not reveal any other ocular structures. The initial diagnosis was suggestive of bilateral anophthalmia. Ultrasound examination of the ocular region confirmed the presence of bilateral anophthalmia. A general physical examination revealed a malformed penis with a persistent penile frenulum. Regarding systemic clinical signs (apathy, inappetence, diarrhea, and anemia), clinical and laboratory examinations led to the suspicion of verminosis. Discussion: The dog in this report had a good body score; however, this type of malformation can generate non-viable puppies. Anophthalmia is an extremely rare congenital ocular malformation, both in humans and companion animals, in which there are no ocular structures in the orbits, and these structures (orbits) in affected individuals are generally small and shallow, as seen in the dog in this report. Ultrasonographic examination confirmed the bilateral anophthalmic condition, being the most accurate method of diagnosing this congenital condition. The animal in this report presented with anophthalmia associated with penile malformation. This type of association until this case report has only been described in humans and mice, and is probably caused by a mutation in the Sox2 gene, which is responsible for the protein of the same name, which makes the maturation of ocular tissues in the primitive forebrain. Thus, it is likely that such congenital alterations are the cause of the malformations observed in this animal. Maternal vitamin A deficiency, a factor known to cause ocular malformations, may also be involved in the etiology of congenital diseases. Nutritional imbalances in dogs are common in the animal’s region of origin The dog in this report had a normal life. Although it is a condition that causes blindness, dogs can have a normal life and welfare, even with bilateral anophthalmia. Keywords: canine, persistence penile frenulum, eye, congenital anomalies. Título: Bilateral Anophthalmia in Dog Associated with Congenital Penile Malformation. Descritores: canino, doenças animais, genética, anomalias congênitas.