Ana Cláudia S. Raposo

Evaluation of ophthalmic and hemodynamic parameters in capuchin monkeys (Sapajus sp.) submitted to dissociative anesthetic protocols

Dissociative drugs are used for chemical restraint in monkeys. The aim was to evaluate muscle relaxation, recovery, and ophthalmic and hemodynamic parameters in 24 capuchin monkeys subjected to four dissociative anesthesia protocols.

CONJUNCTIVAL BACTERIAL FLORA, ANTIBIOGRAM, AND LACRIMAL PRODUCTION TESTS OF COLLARED ANTEATER (TAMANDUA TETRADACTYLA)

Abstract The collared anteater (Tamandua tetradactyla) is adapted to a variety of habitats. It is a solitary species for which no reference values for ophthalmic tests have been established. Eight animals ranging from 1 to 4 yr of age, two males and six females, were manually restrained for assessment. Ophthalmic tests included evaluation of tear production by Schirmer tear test 1 (STT1), endodontic absorbent paper point tear test (EAPPTT), palpebral fissure length (PFL), culture of the conjunctival bacterial flora, and antimicrobial susceptibility test. Median ± semi-interquartile range (S-IQR) STT1, EAPPTT, and PFL were 8.50 ± 4.13 mm/min, 14.13 ± 3.24 mm/min, and 15.91 ± 2.51 mm, respectively. Bacterial growth was present in 100% of the samples, with predominance of Gram-positive bacteria (70.27%). Staphylococcus spp. was the most frequently isolated genus. Antimicrobial susceptibility test showed sensitivity of Staphylococcus epidermidis and Staphylococcus spp. to neomycin, tobramycin, and gentamicin. The results in this study can benefit the determination of reference values for different diagnostic techniques, and may be used as a guide for diagnosis and treatment of ocular diseases in collared anteaters.

Evaluation of Selected Ophthalmic Diagnostic Tests in Green Iguanas (Iguana iguana)

ABSTRACT The objective of this study was to establish reference parameters for different ophthalmic diagnostic tests in green iguanas (Iguana iguana). Median ± semi‐interquartile range values of phenol red thread tear test, endodontic absorbent paper point tear test, Schirmer tear test, palpebral fissure length, and intraocular pressure were 3.9 ± 1.7 mm/15 seconds, 8.5 ± 2.4 mm/minutes, 1.0 ± 0.5 mm/minutes, 12.4 ± 1.7 mm, and 18.0 ± 1.7 mm Hg, respectively. Bacterial growth was observed in 18 of 20 conjunctival samples, with a predominance of Gram‐positive bacteria (75.8%). Staphylococcus spp. was the most frequently isolated microorganism (39.4%), and a resistance pattern to polymyxin B was demonstrated through antimicrobial susceptibility testing of the bacterial isolates. Median ± semi‐interquartile range anterior chamber depth was 1.2 ± 0.2 mm and 1.4 ± 0.2 mm; vitreous chamber depth, 6.8 ± 0.6 mm and 6.8 ± 0.5 mm; lens length, 4.4 ± 0.3 mm and 4.3 ± 0.3 mm; and axial globe length, 12.6 ± 0.8 mm and 12.5 ± 0.7 mm for the sagittal and dorsal planes, respectively. Conus papillaris length was 6.0 ± 0.3 mm and 5.9 ± 0.5 mm, whereas the conus papillaris width was measured at 1.1 ± 0.2 mm and 1.2 ± 0.2 mm, with no difference between the 4.5‐ and 7.5‐hour planes. Hypercellular samples with dense clusters of basaloid and squamous epithelial cells were observed in the conjunctival cytological samples. These results may be helpful for diagnosis and treatment of ocular disorders in green iguanas.

Ophthalmic parameters of Blue-and-yellow Macaws ( Ara ararauna ) and Lear's Macaws ( Anodorhynchus leari )

Our aim was to determine the ophthalmic parameters and describe the eye histology of Blue-and-yellow Macaws (Ara ararauna) and Lears Macaws (Anodorhynchus leari) kept at the Triage Center for Wild Animals (CETAS) and in Getulio Vargas Zoobotanic Park (Salvador, northeastern Brazil), respectively. Thirty four clinically healthy macaws (28 Blue-and-yellow Macaws and six Lears Macaws) were studied. The investigation included culture of the conjunctival bacterial flora, evaluation of tear production by endodontic absorbent paper point tear test (EAPPTT) and phenol red thread test (PRTT), measurement of palpebral fissure length (PFL), corneal touch threshold (CTT) and intraocular pressure (IOP), as well as characterisation of conjunctival cytology samples, B-mode ultrasonography, and eye histology of one Blue-and-yellow Macaw. There was a predominance of Gram-positive bacteria in the samples analysed and the microorganism colonies were resistant to tetracycline and oxacillin. Blue-and-yellow Macaws had significantly higher EAPPTT than Lears Macaws, but there were no differences in PFL and IOP. Conjunctival cytology revealed predominance of squamous and columnar epithelial cells. The pecten, a pleated structure located on the optic nerve and projecting into the vitreous, was composed of several large blood vessels and capillaries. The ophthalmic parameters determined in this study may help in the diagnosis of ocular diseases in Blue-and-yellow and Lears Macaws.

Tear ferning test in healthy dogs

PURPOSE To evaluate and compare three tear sampling methods using two grading scales for administering the tear ferning test (TFT) to healthy dogs. METHODS In total, 90 dogs (180 eyes) were subjected to tear sampling using millimetered strips, reused after the Schirmer tear test (STT) (Schirmer group, SG). Then, the dogs were subdivided into three groups according to sampling approach: micropipette (MPG), microcapillary (MCG), and Schirmer sample 2 (S2G). The collected tears were dried on a clean microscope glass slide at room temperature and humidity. The ferning patterns were observed under a polarized light microscope and classified according to the Rolando and Masmali grading scales. RESULTS Although all three methods were feasible, the STT was easier to perform in clinical settings. Type I and Grade 1 were the most commonly observed (64.17% and 61.7%, respectively) regardless of collection method. There was no significant difference between the STT median values and the TFT classifications. CONCLUSIONS The TFT is appropriate for dogs and can be performed using the three suggested sampling methods, with a higher frequency of Type I and Grade 1. Thus, it is possible to use both grading scales in the classification of tear ferning in dogs.

Conjunctival bacterial flora and antimicrobial susceptibility of captive and free-living sea turtles in Brazil

PURPOSE To describe the aerobic conjunctival bacterial flora of 3 especies of free-living and under human care sea turtles and determine its antimicrobial susceptibility in vitro. METHOD Thirty-six sea turtles (72 eyes), juveniles and adults, 7 free-living Chelonia mydas and 8 Chelonia mydas, 4 Caretta caretta, 11 Eretmochelys imbricata, and 6 Lepidochelys olivacea under human care, were evaluated. Conjunctival cultures were collected for identification of aerobic bacteria and antimicrobial susceptibility testing for ciprofloxacin, chloramphenicol, gentamicin, neomycin, oxacillin, polymyxin B, tetracycline, and tobramycin using antibiotic disks. Bacterial strains showing no sensitivity to 4 or more antimicrobials were considered multiresistant to this panel. RESULTS Bacterial growth was observed in 12/14 (85.71%) samples in the free-living sea turtles, and there was growth in 100% (58/58) of the samples from captive animals. There were 94 strains isolated and 15 species identified. There was a predominance of Gram-positive bacteria in free-living Chelonia mydas, most of which were Bacillus and Staphylococcus. The most commonly isolated Gram-negative species were enterobacteria for free-living and under human care animals. The strains were predominantly sensitive to ciprofloxacin and tobramycin, and less sensitive to oxacillin or polymyxin B. Ten multiresistant strains were isolated. Yeast were identified in 13.89% (10/72) of the samples. CONCLUSIONS These results, showing differences in the conjunctival bacterial flora of free-living and captive animals, may be helpful for diagnosis and treatment of ocular disorders in sea turtles.

Evaluation of lacrimal production, osmolarity, crystallization, proteomic profile, and biochemistry of capuchin monkeys’ tear film

To evaluate the composition and characteristics of capuchin monkey (CM) tear film.

Sedative Effects of Intranasal Midazolam Administration in Wild Caught Blue-fronted Amazon (Amazona aestiva) and Orange-winged Amazon (Amazona amazonica) Parrots

Abstract Safe and effective sedation protocols are important for chemical restraint of birds in clinical and diagnostic procedures, such as clinical evaluations, radiographic positioning, and blood collection. These protocols may reduce stress and ease the management of wild-caught birds, which are susceptible to injury or death when exposed to stressful situations. We compare the sedative effect of intranasal midazolam in wild-caught blue-fronted (Amazona aestiva) and orange-winged (Amazona amazonica) Amazon parrots. Ten adult parrots of each species (n = 20), of unknown sex, weighing 0.337 ± 0.04 (blue-fronted) and 0.390 ± 0.03 kg (orange-winged), kg were used. Midazolam (2 mg/kg) was administered intranasally and the total volume of the drug was divided equally between the 2 nostrils. Onset time and total sedation time were assessed. Satisfactory sedation for clinical evaluation was induced in all birds. Onset time and total sedation times were similar in both species: 5.36 ± 1.16 and 25.40 ± 5.72 minutes, respectively, for blue-fronted Amazons and 5.09 ± 0.89 and 27.10 ± 3.73 minutes, respectively, for orange-winged Amazons. A total of 15 animals showed absence of vocalization, with moderate muscle relaxation and wing movement upon handling, and 2 animals presented with lateral recumbence, with intense muscle relaxation and no wing movement, requiring no restraint. Three blue-fronted Amazons had no effective sedation. Intranasally administered midazolam at a dose of 2 mg/kg effectively promoted sedative effects with a short latency time and fast recovery in wild-caught parrots.

Ceratopatia bolhosa em caracará (Milvago chimachima) tratado com flap de terceira pálpebra modificado

A Yellow-headed Caracara (Milvago chimachima) was submitted to the Ophthalmology Service of the Federal University of Bahia with a corneal abnormality. During ophthalmic evaluation the right cornea was stained positively with fluorescein; a blurred bullous lesion, with irregular surface, compatible with the diagnosis of bullous keratopathy was found. This is a rare condition in a bird which was treated successfully with a modified third eyelid flap associated with antibiotic and hyaluronic acid eye drops. The adopted therapeutic proved to be simple to implement and viable for repair of the bullous keratopathy in the Yellow-headed caracara.