Factors associated with keratopathy in captive pinnipeds.

To identify factors associated with keratopathy in captive pinnipeds and to provide guidance for preventive measures. 319 captive pinnipeds (229 otariids [sea lions and fur seals], 74 phocids [true seals], and 16 odobenids [walrus]) from 25 facilities. Descriptive data collected from questionnaires completed by facilities and from medical records and physical examinations of pinnipeds were compiled and evaluated.

Ocular Surface Diseases in Marine Mammals.

Marine mammal eyes are adapted for underwater and air environments by increasing the mucins in tear film and having flatter corneas and round crystalline lenses. The cornea and lens are most commonly affected by environmental imbalances. Lack of shade and excessive exposure to sunlight are significant risk factors for keratopathy in pinnipeds, and likely true in cetaceans.

EVALUATION OF THE OPHTHALMIC DISEASE AND HISTOPATHOLOGIC EFFECTS DUE TO THE OCULAR TREMATODE PHILOPHTHALMUS ZALOPHI ON JUVENILE GALAPAGOS SEA LIONS ( ZALOPHUS WOLLEBAEKI).

The Galapagos sea lion ( Zalophus wollebaeki) is an otariid species endemic to the Galapagos archipelago and is currently listed as endangered. The ocular trematode Philophthalmus zalophi was recently reported to affect the survival of juvenile Galapagos sea lions on Santa Cruz Island, resulting in marked ophthalmic changes. This study evaluated the ophthalmic disease and histopathologic effects of P.

Clinical management of Candida albicans keratomycosis in a bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus).

Objective: Corneal ulceration secondary to trauma commonly affects marine mammals, often with opportunistic secondary bacterial or fungal infections. This report characterizes the combined use of auriculopalpebral and ophthalmic nerve blocks, adipose-derived stem cells, and subconjunctival injections for successful treatment of corneal trauma and infection in dolphins.

Animal Studied: An 11-year-old, female bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus) presented with bilateral diffuse corneal opacities, which progressed to keratomycosis caused by Candida albicans.

Subconjunctival antimicrobial poloxamer gel for treatment of corneal ulceration in stranded California sea lions (Zalophus californianus).

Objective: Corneal ulcers are commonly encountered in pinnipeds. Prolonged oral antibiotics and topical ophthalmic solutions may not be practical to administer, and novel treatment techniques are desired. Thermodynamic gels are a potential solution because they hold antimicrobials at the site of injection, slowly releasing drug.

CHARACTERIZATION OF ANTERIOR SEGMENT OPHTHALMOLOGIC LESIONS IDENTIFIED IN FREE-RANGING DOLPHINS AND THOSE UNDER HUMAN CARE.

Cetaceans in the wild and under human care develop a variety of ocular lesions. Although they have echolocation, cetacean species have good sight, making ocular health an important part of overall health care. The cornea is the primary site of abnormalities in both populations.

Lens-Related Emergencies: Not Always So Clear.

Emergencies involving the crystalline lens are not common; however, their clinical signs must be recognized quickly to begin treatment or referred immediately to improve the chances of retaining sight. The lens is a unique structure because of its immunologically privileged status and its imperative clarity for vision. Any insult to the lens capsule's integrity, its position within the globe, or to its clarity may result in undesirable sequelae.

Safety study of capsular tension ring use in canine phacoemulsification and IOL implantation.

Objective: To evaluate and compare surgical outcome and complications in canine eyes with stable, cataractous lenses undergoing routine phacoemulsification and intraocular lens (IOL) implantation with or without implantation of a capsular tension ring device (CTR).

Procedures: Dogs undergoing routine bilateral phacoemulsification and IOL implantation had one eye randomly chosen to have a CTR (47 eyes) inserted while the contralateral eye served as a control (47 eyes). The CTR was placed in the capsular bag following phacoemulsification and immediately prior to IOL implantation.

Estradiol biosynthesis in canine lens epithelial cells.

Purpose: To confirm that lens epithelial cells (LEC) synthesize 17β-estradiol, active estrogen, and to identify the pathway(s) by which normal and cataractous LEC synthesize 17β-estradiol.

Methods: ELISA was used to measure estradiol in aqueous humor; immunohistochemical staining was used to localize estradiol, testosterone and sulfatase; tritiated water release assay was used to measure aromatase activity; and qRT-PCR was used to quantify expression of aromatase and sulfatase in normal and cataractous canine and human LEC.

Results: Canine eyes with and without cataracts had no differences in aqueous humor estradiol levels; however, cataractous LEC had more intense immunoreactivity for estradiol than normal LEC.

Supplements for exotic pets.

The use of supplements has become commonplace in an effort to complement traditional therapy and as part of long-term preventive health plans. This article discusses historical and present uses of antioxidants, vitamins, and herbs. By complementing traditional medicine with holistic and alternative nutrition and supplements, the overall health and wellness of exotic pets can be enhanced and balanced.

Bilateral ocular anomalies in a South African fur seal (Arctocephalus pusillus pusillus).

A female South African fur seal (Arctocephalus pusillus pusillus) began having obvious clinical ophthalmologic problems by 8 weeks of age. The initial clinical sign was diffuse corneal edema, which progressed to bullae formation and ulcers; the underlying cause of corneal edema and bullous keratopathy was not identified antemortem.An ophthalmological evaluation was performed when the fur seal was approximately 6 months of age, but due to the diffuse corneal edema, intraocular structures could not be easily evaluated.

Characterization of ocular gland morphology and tear composition of pinnipeds.

Objective: The importance of tear film integrity to ocular health in terrestrial mammals is well established, however, in marine mammals, the role of the tear film in protection of the ocular surface is not known. In an effort to better understand the function of tears in maintaining health of the marine mammal eye surface, we examined ocular glands of the California sea lion and began to characterize the biochemical nature of the tear film of pinnipeds.

Procedures: Glands dissected from California sea lion eyelids and adnexa were examined for gross morphology, sectioned for microscopic analysis, and stained with hematoxylin and eosin.

A retrospective survey of the ocular histopathology of the pinniped eye with emphasis on corneal disease.

Objective: A retrospective review of globes from 70 pinnipeds submitted to the Comparative Ocular Pathology Laboratory of Wisconsin (COPLOW) describing the type and frequency of ocular disease.

Animals Studied: The study included 50 California sea lions, four animals listed only as 'sea lion', nine Northern elephant seals, five harbor seals, 1 Northern fur seal, and 1 Hooded seal.

Procedures: Globes were classified by microscopic findings.

Absorption and ocular deposition of dietary lutein in marine mammals.

Cataracts and ocular disease are common lesions of marine mammals in zoological collections. Lutein, an oxygenated carotenoid, may have therapeutic or prophylactic effects on ocular disorder. Therefore, this study examined the ability of marine mammals to absorb dietary lutein.

Identification and management of ocular lipid deposition in association with hyperlipidaemia in captive moray eels, Gymnothorax funebris Ranzani, Gymnothorax moringa (Cuvier) and Muraena retifera Goode and Bean.

Ocular lipid deposition and its surgical management and possible association with systemic hyperlipidaemia in captive moray eels are described. Ophthalmologic examinations, haematology and plasma biochemistry analyses were performed on an initial population of captive moray eels (n=10): green moray, Gymnothorax funebris Ranzani; spotted moray, Gymnothorax morninga (Cuvier) and reticulated moray, Muraena retifera Goode and Bean. Recently captured green moray eels comprised the control group (n=9).

The protective effects of Lycium barbarum and Chrysanthemum morifolum on diabetic retinopathies in rats.

The effects of Lycium barbarum and Chrysanthemum morifolum extracts on diabetic retinopathy were evaluated. The diabetes model was induced by streptozotocin. Animals were divided into six groups: the control group received only vehicle; diabetic animal models received no treatment, insulin treatment, Lycium extract, Chrysanthemum extract, or a combination of Lycium and Chrysanthemum extracts, respectively.

Sustained-release celecoxib from incubated acrylic intraocular lenses suppresses lens epithelial cell growth in an ex vivo model of posterior capsule opacity.

Purpose: To determine whether celecoxib (CXB) can be released from incubated intraocular lenses (IOLs) sufficiently to inhibit lens epithelial cell (LEC) growth in an ex vivo model of posterior capsule opacification (PCO).

Materials: LEC growth was evaluated for 14 days in canine lens capsules (LCs) that had been exposed to media containing 20 μM CXB for 1-5 days. After the incubation of hydrophilic and hydrophobic IOLs in CXB solution, the determination of the in vitro release of CXB from the IOLs was performed for up to 28 days.

Bilateral ocular abnormalities in a wild stranded harp seal (Phoca groenlandica) suggestive of anterior segment dysgenesis and persistent hyperplastic primary vitreous.

A male yearling harp seal (Phoca groenlandica) stranded and was brought to Mystic Aquarium & Institute for Exploration's Seal Rescue and Rehabilitation Center. The seal presented with a bilateral pendular vertical nystagmus, negative menace response, and a positive palpebral response. Ophthalmological examination by slit lamp biomicroscopy revealed perilimbal corneal edema, excessive iridal surface structures, pupils that appeared to be shaped improperly (dyscoria), and suspected cataracts.

The effect of phosphorylated Akt inhibition on posterior capsule opacification in an ex vivo canine model.

Purpose: To evaluate whether inhibition of phosphorylated Akt (pAkt) would reduce or prevent posterior capsule opacification (PCO) in an ex vivo canine lens capsule model.

Methods: Normal and cataractous lenses (n=6) were evaluated for pAkt via immunohistochemistry and immunoblotting. Primary cultures of lens epithelial cells (LEC) were exposed to ultraviolet light (UV) to induce pAkt.

Anatomy of the California sea lion globe.

Objective: This study analyzed the morphology of the California sea lion globe to determine what features may contribute to their characteristic visual abilities.

Procedure: Globes from the Comparative Ocular Pathology Laboratory of Wisconsin (COPLOW) collection were examined from gross photographs and microscopic sections stained with hematoxylin and eosin, trichrome, smooth muscle actin, and alcian blue periodic acid-Schiff (PAS). Transmission electron microscopy of the cornea and iris was also performed.

Characterization of progressive keratitis in otariids.

Objective: To characterize a form of progressive keratitis that occurs commonly in otariids.

Materials And Methods: One hundred and thirteen captive otariids were evaluated by ophthalmologic examination and digital photography.

Results: Forty-six females and 67 males were in the reference population, average age of 14 years.

Tear production in normal juvenile dogs.

Objective: To establish a baseline range or average for tear production in normal juvenile dogs and evaluate the effects of age, weight, and gender on Schirmer tear test (STT) in juvenile dogs.

Materials And Methods: Healthy puppies of various breeds <6 months of age. STT1 and STT2 were performed in both eyes of each subject.