A 7 yr old, neutered male Japanese chin presented to the Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University (CSVMTU) for evaluation of chronic unilateral orbital swelling that worsened following an episode of respiratory distress. The left eye had been enucleated 5 yr previously. Intermittent mild-to-moderate left orbital swelling had been noted by the owner since the initial surgery. Examination demonstrated a moderate-to-severe, soft, fluctuant swelling involving the left orbit with erythema of the overlying skin. Crepitus was noted over the occipital tuberosity. Computed tomography revealed a large volume of gas involving the left orbit. The gas extended caudally within the subcutaneous tissues to both hemimandibles, dorsal to the cranium, and partially surrounded the cranial neck. The presence of a mucosa-lined, air-filled space with a patent nasolacrimal duct was noted on orbital exploration. The lining was removed and the duct closed. Histopathology confirmed the presence of an epithelial lining. No recurrence of the swelling was observed on examination 8 wk after surgery. This is the first report documenting acute worsening of orbital swelling following an episode of respiratory distress. This case highlights the importance of addressing the nasolacrimal duct while performing an enculeation in a brachycephalic dog.
Skip Nav Destination
Article navigation
November/December 2015
Case Reports|
November 01 2015
Orbital and Subcutaneous Emphysema Following Enucleation and Respiratory Distress in a Japanese Chin
Kara R. Gornik, DVM;
Kara R. Gornik, DVM
Department of Clinical Sciences, Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine, Tufts University, North Grafton, MA (K.R.G., C.G.P.); and Capital Area Veterinary Emergency Service, Concord, NH (A.F.A.).
Search for other works by this author on:
Christopher G. Pirie, DVM;
Christopher G. Pirie, DVM
Department of Clinical Sciences, Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine, Tufts University, North Grafton, MA (K.R.G., C.G.P.); and Capital Area Veterinary Emergency Service, Concord, NH (A.F.A.).
Search for other works by this author on:
Anthony F. Alario, DVM
Anthony F. Alario, DVM
Department of Clinical Sciences, Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine, Tufts University, North Grafton, MA (K.R.G., C.G.P.); and Capital Area Veterinary Emergency Service, Concord, NH (A.F.A.).
Search for other works by this author on:
J Am Anim Hosp Assoc (2015) 51 (6): 413–418.
Citation
Kara R. Gornik, Christopher G. Pirie, Anthony F. Alario; Orbital and Subcutaneous Emphysema Following Enucleation and Respiratory Distress in a Japanese Chin. J Am Anim Hosp Assoc 1 November 2015; 51 (6): 413–418. doi: https://doi.org/10.5326/JAAHA-MS-6279
Download citation file:
Sign in
Don't already have an account? Register
Client Account
You could not be signed in. Please check your email address / username and password and try again.
Could not validate captcha. Please try again.
Sign in via your Institution
Sign in via your InstitutionCiting articles via
Long-Term Survival of Primary Intracranial Histiocytic Sarcoma Through Surgical Resection and Low-Dose CCNU
Kyosuke Hidari, DVM, Yuya Nakamoto, DVM, PhD, James K. Chambers, DVM, PhD, Kazuyuki Uchida, DVM, PhD, Isao Mori, DVM, Miwa Nakamoto, DVM
Microfilaria in the Urine of a Dog with Concurrent Urinary Bladder Sarcoma
Nicole Schlette, DVM, Erin Burton, DVM, MS, DACVP, Amber Harris, DVM, DACVIM (Internal Medicine), Kendall Langsten, DVM, DACVP, Erik Olson, DVM, PhD, DACVP, Daniel Heinrich, DVM, DACVP
Chronic Myelomonocytic Leukemia with Central Nervous System Involvement in a Dog
Ilaria Tartari, DVM, Fabio Tocco, DVM, Giorgio Cancedda, DVM, Veronica Angioni, DVM, Marco Podda, DVM, Antonella Gallucci, DVM, PhD, DECVN, EBVS
Treatment Outcomes of Canine Orbital Meningiomas in Seven Cases
Akihiro Uno, DVM, Ryota Iwasaki, DVM, PhD, Takashi Mori, DVM, PhD
Transient Hypoadrenocorticism in a 7-Week-Old Kitten
Alba Planas Vintro, BVM, Linda G. Martin, DVM, MS, DACVECC, Cassidy L. Cordon, DVM, Sabrina N. Hoehne, Dr. med. vet., DACVECC, DECVECC, Elizabeth B. Davidow, DVM, DACVECC