ASSESSMENT OF OPHTHALMIC DIAGNOSTIC PARAMETERS, CONJUNCTIVAL FLORA, AND PHARMACOLOGIC DILATION OF A LARGE POPULATION OF JUVENILE AMERICAN ALLIGATORS (ALLIGATOR MISSISSIPPIENSIS).
April R Beatty, Mark Flint, Jaylene Flint, Anne J Gemensky-Metzler, Dubraska Diaz-Campos, Joany C van Balen, Georgina Newbold
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引用次数: 0
Abstract
American alligators (Alligator mississippiensis) are an important apex predator of semiaquatic habitats of the southern United States. Commercial alligator farming has grown in the last several decades, leading to a need to understand the health conditions that affect this species to ensure appropriate management and welfare. The aims of this study were 1) to establish and describe normative data including results of common ophthalmic diagnostic tests and conjunctival flora, 2) document ocular pathology in this population, and 3) assess the effect of topical rocuronium bromide and 10% phenylephrine for facilitating pharmacologic mydriasis. A total of 165 juvenile American alligators were evaluated in this study. Assessment included palpebral fissure length (PFL), intraocular pressure (IOP), strip meniscometry (SM), central corneal thickness (CCT), anterior segment examination, and bacterial and fungal culture sampling of the conjunctiva. Topical rocuronium bromide (RB) and 10% phenylephrine (PE) were applied to the right eye (OD) of eight individuals, and pupil diameter (PD) of both eyes measured at regular time intervals. Mean (±standard deviation [SD]) PFL was 10.55 ± 1.47 mm, IOP was 8.16 ± 1.48 mmHg, CCT was 150.06 ± 8.25 µm, and SM was 3.42 ± 2.07 mm/5 s. Culture results stress the importance of proper handling protocols in crocodilians given the high number of opportunistic pathogens isolated from the conjunctiva, as well as the first report of isolation of Lactococcus garvieae in this species. Acquired ophthalmic lesions, likely traumatic, were recorded and no congenital anomalies were observed. Topical administration of RB and PE resulted in a significant increase in nonilluminated pupil diameter (PD) starting at 20 min, and maximum dilation was achieved at 90 min. Fundic examination was achievable, and no adverse systemic effects were noted. This study contributes to a growing body of knowledge regarding ocular health of American alligators.
期刊介绍:
The Journal of Zoo and Wildlife Medicine (JZWM) is considered one of the major sources of information on the biology and veterinary aspects in the field. It stems from the founding premise of AAZV to share zoo animal medicine experiences. The Journal evolved from the long history of members producing case reports and the increased publication of free-ranging wildlife papers.
The Journal accepts manuscripts of original research findings, case reports in the field of veterinary medicine dealing with captive and free-ranging wild animals, brief communications regarding clinical or research observations that may warrant publication. It also publishes and encourages submission of relevant editorials, reviews, special reports, clinical challenges, abstracts of selected articles and book reviews. The Journal is published quarterly, is peer reviewed, is indexed by the major abstracting services, and is international in scope and distribution.
Areas of interest include clinical medicine, surgery, anatomy, radiology, physiology, reproduction, nutrition, parasitology, microbiology, immunology, pathology (including infectious diseases and clinical pathology), toxicology, pharmacology, and epidemiology.