Cardiac malformations are sporadically diagnosed in domestic species; however, little literature is available for this group of developmental anomalies in goats. We performed a retrospective study to catalog congenital cardiac conditions in goats submitted to the University of California-Davis, Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital, Anatomic Pathology Autopsy Service. From 2000 to 2021, of 1,886 goat autopsies, 29 cases of cardiac malformations were identified (1.5%). Thirteen were ≤ 2-wk-old, 8 were 1-6-mo-old, and 8 were adults 2-9-y-old. The most common malformations were ventricular septal defect (VSD; 21 of 29), atrial septal defect or persistent foramen ovale (10 of 29), and double-outlet right ventricle (3 of 29). Nine cases had > 1 malformation, typically including a VSD. Conditions that had not been reported in the goat included double-outlet right ventricle (3), tetralogy of Fallot (1), cor triatriatum sinister (1), and mitral valve dysplasia (1). Two adult cases were incidental and not suspected clinically. Cardiac malformations occur not uncommonly in goats and should be considered in a wide age range.

An 8-y-old Pygora doe was presented to the University of California-Davis, Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital because of non-healing facial swelling of 2-wk duration. The lesion grew despite medical treatment, causing discomfort masticating, little-to-no airflow from the right nasal passage, and led to euthanasia. On gross examination, a large facial mass with a draining tract through the skin and hard palate was identified. On section, the mass was brown-pink, homogeneous, and friable. Abscess-like masses were identified in the lungs and kidney. Histopathology of the face, including oral and nasal cavities, salivary glands, and lymph nodes, as well as the lung and kidney lesions, revealed large areas of necrosis with numerous wide ribbon-like, mostly aseptate, fungal hyphae consistent with zygomycetes. PCR for fungal organisms performed on formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissue from the face identified Lichtheimia corymbifera (formerly Absidia corymbifera) of the order Mucorales and an Aspergillus sp. The lesion was suspected to have started either as a fungal rhinitis or dental feed impaction, subsequently spreading to the face and systemically to the lungs and kidney. We describe here the lesions associated with facial mucormycosis in a goat and present a literature review of L. corymbifera infection in veterinary species and fungal infections in goats.

Tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC) is a rare genetic syndrome that confers risk for neurodevelopmental disorders, including autism spectrum disorder and intellectual disability. Delays in social communication and early cognitive abilities are observable as early as 9 months of age in children with TSC; however, there have been no studies of early behavioral intervention in TSC. We conducted a pilot study of an evidence-based, parent-mediated behavioral intervention focused on improving early social communication and play skills in 5 children with TSC (aged 1-3 years). Participants showed maintenance and sometimes gains in developmental abilities, relative to peers, following intervention. Parents generally found the intervention to be helpful and were able to administer the intervention with fidelity. Preliminary results demonstrate initial feasibility of an early play-based, parent-mediated intervention and support the need for a large-scale, randomized clinical trial in TSC.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to retrospectively evaluate the signalment, treatment, surgical technique and outcomes for feline symblepharon. METHODS: A retrospective medical record review and standardized grading of clinical descriptions and photographs was undertaken. RESULTS: Forty kittens (54 eyes) aged 3-46 weeks had symblepharon of five types in various combinations: eyelid deformation (24 kittens; 32 eyes); ankyloblepharon (four kittens; four eyes); conjunctiva-to-conjunctiva (11 kittens; 12 eyes); third eyelid-to-conjunctiva (24 kittens; 29 eyes); and corneoconjunctival adhesions (14 kittens; 16 eyes). At initial presentation, 23 (43%) eyes were affected by one type of symblepharon, 25 (46%) eyes by two types and six (11%) eyes by three types; 11 (20%) corneas were ulcerated. Twenty-four (44%) eyes of 18 (45%) kittens were managed medically. Surgery was performed under general anesthesia/sedation (30 occasions) or topical anesthesia (21 occasions) on 30 (56%) eyes of 22 kittens; 12 eyes (40%) underwent multiple surgeries. Four techniques were commonly employed: separation of conjunctival-to-conjunctival adhesions ± eyelid margins (14 eyes); resection of third eyelid adhesions ± temporary tacking of the third eyelid (modified Arlts pterygium technique; 18 eyes); en bloc resection of the third eyelid (two eyes); and separation of corneoconjunctival adhesions (14 eyes). Median duration of follow-up was 55 days (range 1-1051). Median symblepharon grade in kittens treated surgically improved for all types except corneoconjunctival symblepharon. Median symblepharon grade in kittens receiving medical management remained the same or improved. Corneoconjunctival symblepharon opacity decreased for eyes treated surgically but increased for eyes treated medically. Three eyes were enucleated due to complications of corneoconjunctival symblepharon. At final presentation, symblepharon persisted in 46 (85%) eyes; however, menace response was evident in 13/16 eyes and dazzle reflex in 23/23 eyes. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: Symblepharon is a heterogeneous group of conditions with diverse anatomic involvement, clinical appearance and impact, optimal treatment and prognosis for vision.