Non-invasive blood pressure measurement in conscious rabbits: A comparison of Doppler ultrasonic and oscillometric devices.

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to compare Doppler (the most commonly used technique for non-invasive indirect blood pressure [NIBP] measurement in rabbits) and oscillometric devices for NIBP measurements in conscious rabbits. METHODS: Blood pressure (BP) measurements were obtained for 49 conscious rabbits using the Doppler and oscillometric devices. Each measurement was repeated in triplicate. Three rabbits were excluded from the study because it was not possible to obtain BP measurements using the oscillometric device. The American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine (ACVIM) guidelines were followed to compare the results obtained with the two devices. RESULTS: A total of 164 systolic BP measurements were obtained with the Doppler device and 182 were obtained with the oscillometric technique. The mean of the three values obtained for each animal with each device was used for statistical analysis. The analysis demonstrated a poor level of agreement between the measurements obtained with the two devices. LIMITATIONS: Oscillometric devices rely on built-in software algorithms to perform calculations and produce their measurements. However, the oscillometric devices currently available only have the software for dogs and cats installed. Therefore, these conclusions should be revised when a device with software specifically for rabbits is commercialised. CONCLUSIONS: This study indicates that oscillometric devices should not be used as a substitute for the Doppler technique when measuring BP in rabbits.

Characterisation of cataracts and other ophthalmic findings in various species of captive penguins.

BACKGROUND: The identification of ophthalmic diseases that affect vision and/or cause discomfort should be a priority in captive penguins to improve their overall health and quality of life. METHODS: A routine ophthalmological examination was performed on 80 clinically normal penguins (160 eyes), and any lesions observed were recorded. RESULTS: Ocular lesions were frequent (56% of penguins), with cataracts being the most common (48.8% of penguins). Cortical cataracts (63% of eyes) and posterior subcapsular cataracts (27.4%) were the most commonly occurring. All maturation stages were found; incipient cataracts (52.1% of eyes with cataracts) were predominant, while Morgagnian cataracts (8.2%) were the least frequent. A correlation existed between lenticular changes and increasing age. Uveitis was present in 43.8% of eyes with cataracts, and ectropion uveae was the predominant clinical sign. Other ocular findings included blepharitis (3.8% of all eyes), corneal leukoma (5.6%) and posterior lens subluxation (7.5%). LIMITATIONS: The small number of birds of some species prevented the comparison of ophthalmic findings between species. CONCLUSION: This study corroborates the high prevalence of ocular lesions in captive penguins. Cataracts were frequent and age related. Most cataracts were cortical, and the predominant maturation stage was incipient. Lens-induced uveitis was a common finding. Lowered intraocular pressure was related to cataract formation.

Characterisation of corneal impression cytology in dogs and its application in the diagnosis of keratoconjunctivitis sicca.

OBJECTIVE: Determine morphological and morphometric parameters of corneal epithelium in dogs, and determine the cellular alterations that occur in canine keratoconjunctivitis sicca (KCS) using impression cytology. STUDY ANIMALS: 60 dogs divided into two groups: dogs with Schirmer tear test (STT) at least 15 mm/minute and absence of ocular disease, and dogs with STT less than 15 mm/minute and clinical signs of KCS. PROCEDURES: Impression cytology was used to collect corneal samples. The percentage of eyes with cell changes, the number of such cells and the percentage of cells with structural alterations in each group were determined. The possible correlation between corneal epithelium alterations and decreased tear production was evaluated. RESULTS: A significant positive correlation existed between STT and the area of the cytoplasm and nucleus of corneal cells. A significant negative correlation was found between STT ​​and the nucleus/cytoplasm ratio, and the presence of cellular changes. A significant difference existed between the numbers of pyknotic nuclei, being higher among animals with all stages of KCS. CONCLUSION: Corneal impression cytology can be used to assess the corneal epithelium in healthy eyes and eyes with KCS, demonstrating its usefulness as a diagnostic tool especially in mild and early cases.

Ocular Ultrasonography and Biometry in the Cinereous Vulture (Aegypius monachus).

To establish reference standards for ocular ultrasound and biometry, 24 cinereous vultures (Aegypius monachus) (45 eyes) underwent B-mode and A-mode ultrasonographic examination using a 12.5-MHz probe. The vultures were manually restrained without sedation, and the eyes were topically anesthetized. Biometry was performed in the sagittal plane for axial length of the globe (AGL), anterior chamber depth (ACD), lens thickness (LT), and vitreous chamber depth (VCD). Biometry of the pecten oculi (LP) was measured on images of transversal scan at 9 hours. Biometric findings were as follows: AGL=27.74 ± 0.77 mm, ACD=3.73 ± 0.62 mm, LT=5.41 ± 0.18 mm, VCD=18.60 ± 0.58 mm, and LP=10.21 ± 1.19 mm. No correlation was found between body weight and AGL. Right and left globe sizes were not significantly different, but AGL and VCD were significantly longer (P < .05) in male than in female vultures. Including diagnostic protocols such as ocular ultrasound may improve the ophthalmologic care of endangered raptors injured by blunt trauma, when opacities of the ocular media prevent examination of the internal ocular structures.

Atypical chorioretinal coloboma in a Golden Retriever: a retinographic, fluoroangiographic, and optical coherence tomography study.

PURPOSE: To report a case of canine atypical chorioretinal coloboma where ophthalmoscopic, fluoroangiographic and optical coherence tomography characteristics are described. ANIMAL STUDIED: A 2-year-old Golden Retriever dog in which routine ophthalmoscopic examination allowed diagnosis of a posterior coloboma on the left eye. PROCEDURES: Retinography, fluorescein angiography, and optical coherence tomography were performed to characterize the lesion of the left fundus. RESULTS: Ophthalmoscopy revealed a pigmented circumscribed lesion dorsal to the optic nerve of the left fundus, surrounded by small areas of hyper-reflectivity and retinal vessels with an abnormal pattern. Fluoroangiography revealed a constant hypofluorescence of the defect and a complete altered vascular pattern associated with the coloboma. Optical coherence study demonstrated an important craterlike depression showing an atrophic neurosensory retina, and a lack of retinal pigment epithelium and choroidal tissue. CONCLUSIONS: Fluoroangiographic and optical coherence tomographic studies of an atypical chorioretinal coloboma in a dog are reported for the first time. Both imaging techniques are of great importance to characterize this type of congenital defects.

Central corneal thickness and intraocular pressure in captive black-footed penguins (Spheniscus dermersus).

OBJECTIVE: To determine the central corneal thickness (CCT) by ultrasonic pachymetry and the effect of these values on the measurements of intraocular pressures (IOP) with rebound tonometry (TonoVet(®) ) in a captive flock of black-footed penguins (Spheniscus dermersus). Variations in CCT by age and weight, and variations in IOP by age were compared. ANIMAL STUDIED: Both eyes of 18 clinically normal black-footed penguins (Spheniscus dermersus) were used. PROCEDURE: The IOP was measured by the TonoVet(®) in both eyes of all the penguins. CTT measurements were performed 5 min later in all eyes using an ultrasound pachymeter. RESULTS: The mean IOP values ± SD were 31.77 ± 3.3 mm Hg (range of mean value: 24-38). The mean CCT values were 384.08 ± 30.9 µm (range of mean value: 319-454). There was no correlation between IOP and CCT values (P = 0.125). There was no difference in CCT measurements by age (P = 0.122) or weight (P = 0.779). A correlation was observed (P = 0.032) between IOP values and age. The coefficient of correlation was negative (ρ = -0.207). CONCLUSIONS: Ultrasound pachymetry has shown to be a reliable and easy technique to measure CCT in penguins. No correlation was observed between IOP and CCT values in this study. IOP showed a significant but weak decrease as age increased in the black-footed penguin.

Conjunctival squamous cell carcinoma in a reindeer (Rangifer tarandus tarandus).

An 8-year-old female adult reindeer (Rangifer tarandus tarandus) was referred to the Veterinary Hospital of Madrid for evaluation of a conjunctival mass on the left eye which had been present for about 2 months. A surgical excision was performed and biopsy material submitted for light microscopic evaluation which confirmed the diagnosis of conjuctival squamous cell carcinoma. Nuclear p53 immunolabeling was found in 52% of the neoplastic cells. Follow-up examination at 12 months postsurgery did not reveal recurrence of this neoplasm. Conjunctival squamous cell carcinoma has not been reported previously in reindeer and seems to have similar characteristics to the one existing in bovine species.

Surgical correction of a corneal perforation in an alpaca (Lama pacos).

Likely because of trauma, an adult alpaca (Lama pacos) sustained a corneal perforation with a prolapsed iris. Because of the severity of the lesion, a pedicle conjunctival graft was performed. The structural integrity of the cornea was reestablished, and 10 mo postoperatively, the affected eye appeared to have good vision and only a small corneal scar remained.