Background Prolapsed nictitating membrane gland (PNMG) is the most common disorder of the third eyelid in dogs. However, the epidemiology of PNMG in the wider dog population remains understudied. Methods Using de-identified clinical data from the VetCompass Programme, this cohort study aimed to report the prevalence, demographic and breed-related risk factors of PNMG in dogs attending UK primary care veterinary practices in 2016. Results There were 1,802 PNMG cases identified from 905,543 dogs, yielding an annual prevalence of 0.20% (95% confidence interval (CI) 0.19–0.21). The median age at first diagnosis was 0.63 years (IQR 0.33–1.98, range 0.11–18.00). Dogs aged under 1 year had 10.82 times the odds (95% CI 9.17–12.76) compared with dogs aged from 2 to under 4 years. Neutered animals had higher odds than entire animals within both sexes. Breeds with the highest odds of PNMG compared with crossbred dogs included Neapolitan Mastiff (odds ratio (OR) 34.26, 95%CI 15.92–73.75), English Bulldog (OR 24.08, 95% CI 20.62–28.13), Cane Corso (OR 14.66, 95% CI 8.18–26.28), Lhasa Apso (OR 12.37, 95% CI 10.26–14.92) and American Cocker Spaniel (OR 11.57, 95% CI 5.59–23.96). Purebred dogs had 1.43 times the odds (95% CI 1.26–1.63) of PNMG compared with crossbreed dogs. Breeds with brachycephalic skull conformation had 6.71 times the odds (95%CI 5.89–7.64) compared with breeds with mesocephalic skull conformation. Insured dogs had 1.89 times the odds (95% CI 1.65–2.16) compared with uninsured dogs. Conclusions This study reports the largest cohort of primary-care PNMG cases assembled to date. The results showing young age at diagnosis along with the breed, purebred and brachycephalic skull conformation predispositions suggest a hereditary involvement in PNMG development. These results may help to guide breeding strategies to reduce the prevalence of PNMG and improve welfare in predisposed individuals.

Context: Huoxin formula is a Traditional Chinese Medicine for coronary heart disease (CHD) treatment. Objective: To explore the therapeutic mechanism of the Huoxin formula on arterial functions in CHD patients. Materials and methods: Fifty-eight CHD patients receiving cardiovascular drugs including β-receptor blocker, statins, and antiplatelet medications or others were randomized into intervention [additionally 13.5 g Huoxin formula granules dissolved in 150 mL warm water per time, twice a day ( n = 30)] and control [only cardiovascular drugs ( n = 28)] groups. Serum biomarkers (hs-CRP, IL-18, IL-17, TNF-α, MMP-9), and cardiovascular indicators of the common and internal carotid arteries (ICAs) were monitored before and after the treatments. Results: After 3 months of treatment, the increases of intima-media thicknesses (IMT) of the left and right common carotid arteries (CCAs) as well as of the left and right ICAs and the increases of the left and right cardio-ankle vascular index were all significantly (all p < 0.001) less in the intervention than in control group (all p < 0.001). Serum concentrations reductions of hs-CRP, IL-18, IL-17 and MMP9 (all p < 0.001) levels were higher in the intervention compared to the control group, which correlated with the changes of left ICA (hs-CRP: r = 0.581, p = 0.009; IL-18: r = 0.594, p = 0.007; IL-17: r = 0.575, p = 0.006). Discussion and conclusion: Since the Huoxin formula improved arterial functions and reduced inflammatory factor activities in CHD patients, a large-scale clinical trial is warranted.