RESUMEN
OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effects of topical application of 0.5% tropicamide and 1% atropine on pupil diameter (PD), intraocular pressure (IOP), and tear production (TP) in healthy pet rabbits. ANIMALS STUDIED: Ten healthy client-owned rabbits. PROCEDURES: A prospective, randomized, blinded, crossover study was conducted. Each animal received one drop of 0.5% tropicamide or 1% atropine in a randomly selected eye. PD, IOP, and TP were evaluated before drug instillation and at 0.25 h, 0.5 h, 0.75 h, 1 h, 2 h, 4 h, 6 h, 8 h, 10 h, 12 h, 24 h, 36 h, 48 h, 60 h, and 72 h post-instillation. Data were analyzed using a paired two-sample repeated measures T-test with Bonferroni correction. RESULTS: In both tropicamide and atropine treated eyes, the mean PD significantly increased from 15 min until 12 h after treatment with a maximum PD at 45 min (+2.7 mm and + 2.4 mm respectively). Following tropicamide and atropine instillation, IOP increased significantly in treated eyes at 45 min (+2.9 mmHg) and 15 min (+5.2 mmHg) respectively, compared to untreated eyes. No significant effects were found on TP, in both tropicamide and atropine treated eyes at any time. No effects were observed in the untreated eyes on any of the parameters evaluated for both drugs. CONCLUSIONS: Topical treatment with 0.5% tropicamide and 1% atropine induced mydriasis in healthy pet rabbits and could be considered as effective options when mydriatic/cycloplegic drugs are required.
RESUMEN
OBJECTIVE: To describe the intestinal full-thickness needle-core biopsy technique via abdominal laparotomy outcomes and compare the histopathological and immunohistochemical diagnosis with standard incisional intestinal biopsy technique in dogs and cats. ANIMALS: 3 dogs and 17 cats. METHODS: Client-owned dogs and cats were prospectively enrolled if intestinal full-thickness biopsies were indicated for the diagnosis of diffuse chronic intestinal diseases following ultrasonography. The study period extended from June 2021 to December 2022. All animals underwent intestinal biopsies with both techniques (needle-core biopsy and standard incisional biopsy) via abdominal laparotomy. Data collected included clinical signs, biopsy collection times, complications, and histopathologic and immunohistochemical findings. A minimum follow-up of 14 days was required. RESULTS: The main clinical sign at presentation was chronic vomiting (65%). Mean needle-core biopsy collection time (262 seconds) was significantly shorter than standard incisional biopsy collection time (599 seconds; P < .000001). The incidence of minor complications was 10% (inflammation of the skin surgical site secondary to licking). One catastrophic complication occurred on a standard incisional biopsy site in 1 cat in a context of bile peritonitis (5% of all cases). There were no complications associated with the needle-core biopsy. All but 1 cat were discharged, with a median of 2 days (range, 1 to 4 days) after surgery. The diagnoses resulting from both techniques were 100% concordant for the distinction between inflammatory bowel disease and intestinal lymphoma via histopathology and immunochemistry. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Needle-core biopsy is safe, rapid, and effective and is less invasive than standard incisional biopsy.