Ophthalmic diagnostic tests, orbital anatomy, and adnexal histology of the broad-snouted caiman (Caiman latirostris).

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to establish normal ophthalmic parameters for selected diagnostic tests, and to describe the orbital anatomy and adnexal histology of the broad-snouted caiman. METHOD: A total of 35 Caiman latirostris that were free of obvious ocular diseases were used to measure the parameters in this investigation. Ages ranged from 5 to 15 years. Ophthalmic diagnostic tests were conducted, including evaluation of tear production with Schirmer Tear test-1 (STT1), culture of the conjunctival bacterial flora, applanation tonometry, conjunctival cytology, nictiating membrane incursion frequency test (NMIFT), endodontic absorbent paper point tear test (EAPPTT), palpebral fissure length measurement (PFL) and B-mode ultrasonography. Adnexal histology and skull samples were studied. RESULTS: Mean (±SD) STT1 was 3.4 ± 3.6 mm/min (95% confidence interval of 2.01-4.78 mm/min), intraocular pressure (IOP) was 12.9 ± 6.2 mmHg, NMIFT was 6.0 ± 3.5, EAPPTT was 17.1 ± 2.5 mm/min, PFL was 28.9 ± 3.0 mm, anterior chamber depth was 3.1 ± 0.3 mm, lens axial length was 8.4 ± 0.6 mm, vitreous chamber depth was 7.9 ± 0.7 mm and axial globe length was 19.9 ± 1.3 mm. For all animals evaluated, Bacillus sp., Diphteroids and Staphylococcus sp. were predominant.

Ophthalmic diagnostic tests in captive red-footed tortoises (Chelonoidis carbonaria) in Salvador, northeast Brazil.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to establish normal ophthalmic parameters for select diagnostic tests in red-footed tortoises (Chelonoides carbonaria). A total of 52 animals, approximately 20-30 years old, were studied. METHOD: Ophthalmic diagnostic tests included culturing of the normal conjunctival bacterial flora in summer and winter, evaluation of tear production using Schirmer tear test (STT) and endodontic absorbent paper point tear test in two different environmental temperatures (EAPPTT-1 at 32 °C and EAPPTT-2 at 18 °C), cytology of conjunctival cells, B-mode ultrasonography, measurement of palpebral fissure length (PFL), and applanation tonometry (in two different positions). RESULTS: In both seasons, Gram-positive bacteria were predominant. Median (± IQR/2) STT was 12.0 ± 3.5 mm/min, EAPPTT-1 was 15.9 ± 0.7 mm/15 s, and EAPPTT-2 was 15.4 ± 0.4 mm/min (OD) and 17.8 ± 1.0 mm/min (OS). Anterior chamber depth was 1.0 ± 0.1 mm, lens axial length was 2.3 ± 0.1 mm, vitreous chamber depth was 4.3 ± 0.2 mm, and axial globe length was 7.7 ± 0.3 mm. PFL was 11.7 ± 1.7 mm. Intraocular pressure was 11.5 ± 2.8 mmHg for males and 14.0 ± 3.5 mmHg for females (dorsoventral position) and 18.0 ± 3.2 mmHg for males and 24.1 ± 3.0 mmHg for females (ventrodorsal position with inclination of 45°). The ophthalmic parameters reported here can aid in the diagnosis of eye diseases in red-footed tortoises (Chelonoides carbonaria).

Diagnóstico de alterações neurológicas compressivas da medula espinal de cães com o uso da Tomografia Computadorizada (TC) Helicoidal / Diagnosis of neurologic compression of the spinal cord of dogs with use of Helical Computed Tomography (CT)

Alterações neurológicas em cães são comuns na rotina da clínica médica, sendo necessário identificar o sítio de lesão quando da ocorrência de neuropatias por compressão em estruturas do Sistema Nervoso Central (SNC). O objetivo deste trabalho foi realizar um estudo epidemiológico das alterações neurológicas compressivas em medula espinal de cães domiciliados em Salvador e região metropolitana: Discopatias, Neoplasias e Traumas identificadas através da Tomografia Computadorizada (TC). Foram avaliados 17 cães de diversas raças com idade entre 2 e 10 anos e de ambos os sexos, atendidos na rotina de dois serviços médicos-veterinários e encaminhados para realização do exame conforme indicação clínica. Imagens em cortes com espessura variando de 0,5 a 2mm em rotação foram produzidas com o Tomógrafo. Dos animais que apresentaram discopatia 12/17 (70,58 por cento), por mielopatia extradural 6/12 (50 por cento), foram da raça Dachshund com idade média 7,33±1,97 anos e para todos os outros a ocorrência foi pontual; 23,53 por cento de osteopatias vertebrais, neoplasias ósseas e fraturas, e 5,89 por cento correspondente a neoplasia de medula. Houve uma maior frequência de lesões nos segmentos C4-C6 3/12 (25 por cento), T12-T13 (25 por cento) e L2-L3 (25 por cento) dos casos.

Neurological disorders in dogs are common in veterinary medical practice routine, being necessary to identify the site of injury in the event of compression on structures of the central nervous system (CNS). The aim of this work was an epidemiological study of neurological changes in compressive spinal cord of pet dogs in Salvador and the metropolitan area. Discopathies, neoplasms and trauma were identified by Computed Tomography (CT). We evaluated 17 dogs of various breeds, aged between 2 and 10 years old and of both sexes, from two veterinary medical routine services and forwarded to the examination as clinically indicated. Slice images with a thickness ranging from 0.5 to 2mm were produced in rotation with the tomograph. Animals that showed disc disease (70.58 percent) for extradural myelopathy 6/12 (50 percent) were the breed Dachshund, mean age 7.33±1.97 years and for all other occurrence was timely; 23.53 percent of vertebral bone disease, bone tumors and fractures, and 5.89 percent corresponding to neoplasm marrow. There was a higher incidence of injuries segments L2-L3 (25 percent), followed by C4-C6 (16.67 percent), T12-T13 (16.67 percent), L7-S1 (16.67 percent) of cases.