Cause and Treatment of Exophthalmos in Aged Cotton Rats ().

Comp Med

Department of Veterinary Biosciences, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio; Comparative Pathology and Mouse Phenotyping, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio;, Email:

Published: June 2020

Aged cotton rats () from an established breeding colony displayed signs of spontaneous exophthalmos. Of a total of 118 colony animals that were older than 6 mo of age, 37 (31%) displayed signs of exophthalmos. These rats were clinically healthy and had no other signs of disease. Ophthalmic exams, molecular and microbiologic testing, and histopa- thology were performed to determine the cause of the exophthalmos and to provide appropriate treatment. Environmental monitoring records were also reviewed for vivarium rooms in which the cotton rats were housed. Histopathology findings supported that the exophthalmos in these cotton rats was secondary to retro-orbital thrombosis associated with cardiomyopathy. The exophthalmic eyes were treated by either removal of the affected eye (enucleation) or surgical closure of the eyelids (temporary tarsorraphy). Enucleation of the exophthalmic eye was the best intervention for these aged cotton rats. These findings demonstrate the potential for a high incidence of ocular problems occurring secondary to cardiomyopathy in aged cotton rats. Enucleation as a therapeutic intervention for exophthalmic eyes in aged cotton rats prolongs the morbidity-free time span during which these aged animals can be used experimentally.

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http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7287388PMC
http://dx.doi.org/10.30802/AALAS-CM-19-000107DOI Listing

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