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Objective Animals Studied Procedure(s) Results Conclusions The aim of this study was to detect and describe ocular abnormalities in a population of Turkmen horses.A total of 55 Turkmen horses (33 mares and 22 stallions) from one herd were evaluated in this study.Demographic data (Age, Sex, Coat color) were recorded. All animals underwent complete ophthalmic examination. The Schirmer tear test ‐I (STT‐I) was performed for all horses prior to other diagnostic tests. Neuro‐ophthalmic examinations (menace response, dazzle reflex, pupillary light reflex, maze test, and visual tracking) were carried out in different lighting situations (bright and dim lights). Slit lamp biomicroscopy, direct and indirect ophthalmoscopy, fluorescein staining, and tonometry were performed for each horse.The mean (standard deviation) age of horses was 5.7 (4.6) years (range of 1–17 years). In total, 18 horses (32.7%) had ocular‐related lesions. Cataract, iris hyperpigmentation and corneal edema were the most identified conditions in the horses of this study.About one‐third of studied horses had at least one ocular abnormality. No ocular abnormalities attributed to the distinct cream/gold coat color were identified, which the Turkmen horse is known for. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study was performed to compare the conjunctival microflora in clinically healthy guinea pigs and guinea pigs exhibiting clinical signs of conjunctivitis. Twenty guinea pigs (40 eyes) with similar age (12 to 20 months) were used for this study. Slit-lamp examination was performed and 11 guinea pigs were diagnosed with conjunctivitis and the presence of ocular discharge and hyperemia. Conjunctival swabs were taken from both eyes of 9 healthy guinea pigs and 11 guinea pigs with conjunctivitis. For all isolates, the susceptibility to commonly used antimicrobials was determined by means of the Kirby-Bauer method. Sixteen eyes (72%) showed bacterial growth in guinea pigs with conjunctivitis and 14 eyes (77%) indicated bacterial growth in clinically normal guinea pigs. Staphylococcus spp. (4/22; 18.1%) and Moraxella spp. (4/22; 18.1%) were respectively the most commonly isolated organisms in guinea pigs with signs of conjunctivitis. In clinically healthy guinea pigs, the most commonly isolated bacterial organisms were Staphylococcus spp. (8/18; 44.4%) and Bacillus spp. (4/18; 22.2%), respectively. Most isolated bacteria were sensitive to common antibiotics. There were 2 exceptions in guinea pigs with conjunctivitis: Moraxella spp. was resistant to vancomycin and ampicillin, while Staphylococcus aureus was resistant to erythromycin. Results revealed the dominance of Gram-positive bacteria in the conjunctiva of guinea pigs with signs of conjunctivitis with the presence of Moraxella spp., Clostridium spp., and Listeria spp. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract This study was performed to evaluate the effect of topical 1% cyclopentolate hydrochloride on tear production (STT), intraocular pressure (IOP), and vertical pupil diameter (VPD) in healthy Turkman horses. Forty eyes of 20 clinically normal horses were used for this study, which were randomly assigned to two groups. Before instillation of 1% cyclopentolate, the baseline STT, IOP, and VPD of each group were recorded. Then, one drop of cyclopentolate was instilled randomly into one eye of each animal, and the contralateral eye served as control. Measurements were repeated at 20 minutes, 60 minutes, 90 minutes, 120 minutes, 12 hours, and 24 hours, and every 24 hours up to 120 hours post drug instillation in all animals. There was no significant effect on STT over the time course measured in both the treated and untreated eyes of the treatment groups after unilateral instillation of 1% cyclopentolate when compared to baseline values. A significant increase in the IOP was observed after 20 minutes, which persisted for more than 90 minutes; then, the IOP insignificantly decreased below the baseline values after 120 minutes. Maximum VPD was recognized at 12 hours post instillation in treated eyes (15.8 ± 2.3 mm), which was significantly different in comparison to the baseline (P =.07). Cyclopentolate could be considered as a long term and potent cycloplegic drug in horses when taking into account the possible side effect of atropine. Highlights • STT decreased insignificantly in both the treated and untreated eyes of the treatment group. • A significant increase in the IOP was observed after 20 minutes, which persisted for more than 90 minutes. • Maximum VPD was recognized at 12 hours post instillation in the treated eyes. • Cyclopentolate could be considered as a long term and potent cycloplegic drug in horses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives The purpose of this study was to establish a reference value of tear production and intraocular pressure in clinically normal ducks and geese. Animal Studied The study population consisted of forty-eight ducks (24 males and 24 females) and fifty-two geese (26 males and 26 females). Procedures Birds were gently physically restrained in dorsoventral position without any pressure to the head and neck. Tear secretion and intraocular pressure were measured using 5-mm-wide Schirmer tear test strips and TonoVet® rebound tonometer, respectively. Results Overall mean ± 2 SD STT and IOP values of all eyes were 6.2 ± 2.2 mm/min and 10.2 ± 2.2 mmHg, respectively, for the ducks; 5.5 ± 2.6 mm/min and 9.1 ± 2.0 mmHg, respectively, for the geese. There was no statistically significant difference in IOP between left eye and right eye or between males and females in ducks ( P = 0.56, P = 0.63) and geese ( P = 0.23, P = 0.22). Analysis of variance revealed that there were no significant differences in the STT and IOP between the breeds in ducks ( P = 0.49, P = 0.68) and geese ( P = 0.14, P = 0.26). Conclusions Results of this study may be beneficial for the diagnosis and therapeutic monitoring of ducks and geese affected with Keratoconjunctivitis sicca, glaucoma, and uveitis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We establish reference values of tear production by the phenol red thread test (PRTT) and intraocular pressure (IOP) by rebound tonometry in helmeted guinea fowl ( Numida meleagris). Aqueous tear production and IOP were measured in 44 (22 males, 22 females) clinically normal captive helmeted guinea fowl. Birds were gently physically restrained in the sitting position without any pressure to the head or neck. In each bird, aqueous tear production was measured by placing phenol red threads in the superior conjunctival fornix, and IOP was measured by using a Tonovet rebound tonometer. Overall mean ± standard deviation (SD) values of PRTT and IOP of all eyes were 16.5 ± 1.3 mm/15 s (ranging from 14-18 mm/15 s) and 9.1 ± 0.9 mm Hg (ranging from 7-10 mm Hg), respectively. No significant differences were found in IOP or PRTT between males and females ( P = .76; P = .83, respectively) or between the left and right eyes ( P = .34 and .66, respectively) in the guinea fowl. Results of this study may be beneficial for the diagnosis and therapy of keratoconjunctivitis sicca, glaucoma, and uveitis in helmeted guinea fowl. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this study was to establish intraocular pressure values in clinically normal pigeons. One hundred (52 male and 48 female) healthy pigeons ( Columbia livia) of six different breeds, ranging in age from 20 to 51 mo were used in the study. Pigeons were gently physically restrained in a dorsoventral position without any pressure or extension to the head and neck. A rebound tonometer with a disposable probe was held horizontally and 4-5 mm from the central corneal surface. Calibration of the device was set to 'P.' Overall, the mean ± SD intraocular pressure values of all eyes were 6.1 ± 0.9 mmHg (ranging from 3 to 9 mmHg). Mean ± SD values for left and right eyes were 6.1 ± 1.0 and 6.0 ± 1.2 mmHg, respectively. There was no statistically significant difference in IOP between the left eye and right eye or between males and females ( P = 0.49; P = 0.74). Analysis of variance revealed that there were no significant differences in the IOP between the breeds ( P = 0.22). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this study was to detect prevalence and risk factors of “cognitive dysfunction syndrome” (CDS) in geriatric dogs in Tehran. CDS is a neurodegenerative condition affecting geriatric dogs, which affects multiple aspects of behavioral function. This study was performed on total of 234 client-owned dogs (7-16 years old). A questionnaire to assess behaviors and a canine cognitive dysfunction rating (CCDR) scale were used. Other potential risk factors including dog's age, sex, breed, body condition score, reproductive status, type of food intake, and type of medication were assessed at the time of questionnaire completion. Scores > 50 on the CCDR scale were indicative of canine cognitive dysfunction. The results of the statistical analysis showed that 21 dogs had CCDR scores greater than 50. Thus, in this study, the prevalence of CDS based on the CCDR scale was 8.9% (21/234). There were no significant differences between risk factors with CDS in this study. The results of this study suggested a low prevalence of CDS in senior dogs (older than 7 years) in Tehran; however, practitioners should consider routine screening for cognitive change in all aging dogs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The aims of this study were to determine the seroprevalence of canine ehrlichiosis and risk factors of this disease in companion dogs' population of Mashhad, North East of Iran. Canine Monocytic Ehrlichiosis (CME) is a zoonotic disease transmitted by ticks, Rhipicephalus sanguineus, and caused by an obligate intracellular bacterium, Ehrlichia canis. Methods: During September 2009 until November 2010, 250 companion dogs from Mashhad, North-East of Iran, were examined for serum antibody detection against E. canis by means of immunofluorescence assay test (IFAT) and factors associated with a positive antibody response. Results: There was a very low prevalence of anti-E. canis antibodies (0.8%, 2/250) among studied dogs. The antibody titers for two seropositive dogs were 1:80 and 1:160, respectively. One (0.4%) of seropositive dogs was infested with, R. sanguineus. In blood smears from one of infested dogs (0.4%), typical morulae of E. canis was observed in lymphocytes. The results confirm that the lowest occurrence of reactive dogs indoors probably related to low tick infestion. Conclusion: This is the first report that describes serological evidences of canine monocytic ehrlichiosis in North- East of Iran. Results suggested that E. canis infection in owned pet dogs from North of Khorasan was not endemic from 2009 to 2010. Additional molecular studies are necessary to confirm E. canis infection and to identify the local strains of the organism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective To determine effects of 14 days of oral administration of trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole on aqueous tear production in clinically normal Syrian hamsters. Animal studied Fifteen healthy adult Syrian hamsters. Procedure Baseline phenol red thread test ( PRTT) values were recorded 1 day prior to treatment. Eight hamsters in treated group received 15 mg/kg trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole orally twice a day for 14 days. The remaining seven hamsters were used as untreated controls and received a placebo. All ophthalmic tests were performed without chemical restraint. PRTT values were evaluated in both eyes of all Syrian hamsters using a commercial PRTT strip of a single lot number. Results The mean ± SD baseline PRTT values for treatment group and control group were 7.25 ± 1.3 mm/15 s and 5.42 ± 1.13 mm/15 s, respectively. After 14 days of drug administration, the mean ± SD PRTT values for treatment group and control group were 5.62 ± 1.5 and 5.64 ± 0.74, respectively. Significant decreases in the PRTT values, compared with baseline values, were observed in the treatment group on day 15 ( P = 0.042). Conclusions Trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole decreased tear production in the hamster in this study . [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]