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Objective: To describe ophthalmic examination and diagnostic values for Schirmer tear test (STT), intraocular pressure (IOP), corneal horizontal diameter (CHD), palpebral fissure length (PFL), fundoscopy, and palpebral conjunctiva microbiota from healthy giant anteaters. Animals studied: Twelve giant anteaters (Myrmecophaga tridactyla), 11 adults and one juvenile, five males and seven females. Procedures: The animals were submitted to general anesthesia and ophthalmic evaluation with portable slit‐lamp biomicroscope, Finoff transilluminator, and fundoscopy, as well as STT, bacterial culture from palpebral conjunctiva, rebound tonometry IOP, and measurement of PFL and CHD. Data compiled were analyzed with ANOVA and Tukey tests. Results: The results (mean ± standard deviation) were as follows: STT 8.04 ± 6.21 mm/min; IOP 10.92 ± 2.45 mmHg; PFL 0.75 ± 0.11 cm; CHD 0.96 ± 0.10 cm. Out of the 24 eyes swab samples for bacterial culture, 17 were positive, with three genera of Gram‐positive bacteria identified Staphylococcus spp., Bacillus sp., and Corynebacterium sp. Gram‐negative bacteria were not isolated from any of the samples. Conclusions: As conservation work in this vulnerable species continues, this report on basic ophthalmic examination and diagnostic parameters will be helpful improve their treatment and care. More ophthalmic studies are encouraged in animals within the Pilosa order. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective To describe the tear ferning test ( TFT) in healthy horses and its correlation with other parameters for evaluating the ocular surface. Animals studied Thirty male and female adult healthy horses (60 eyes), of no defined breed. Procedures Tear sample was collected with a microcapillary tube, placed on the surface of a glass slide, and allowed to dry at room temperature. The crystallization pattern was classified according to Rolando ( Chibret International Journal Ophthamology, 1984; 2, 32). The program STEPanizer© stereology tool, version 1.0, was utilized for counting points on the digitally captured crystallization image. A conjunctival biopsy was performed. Results Tear ferning test was classified as Type I in 18 eyes (30%), Type II in 31 eyes (51.7%), and Type III in 11 eyes (18.3%), at a mean temperature of 27.3 ± 1.5 °C and relative humidity of 61.5 ± 5.7%. In the Type I crystallization, the count varied between 27 and 36 points (mean: 33.27 ± 2.40), in Type II between 22 and 31 points (25.42 ± 1.95), and in Type III between 13 and 25 points (16.82 ± 3.76). There was no statistical difference or correlation between the right and left eyes, nor was there a statistically significant influence ( P < 0.05) on TFT by the factors evaluated. The mean goblet cells values were 50 ± 11.4 cells/field. All samples showed the presence of lymphocytes, plasmocytes, and eosinophils. Conclusion Tear ferning test is easy to perform, without risks to the patient. Once standardized for horses, associated or not with the program STEPanizer© stereology tool, it is an additional method for evaluating the ocular surface. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction Human amniotic membrane ( AM) has been used as a biomaterial for surgical wound skin and ocular surface reconstruction for several years. Currently, equine AM has been used for corneal reconstruction in several animal species, and appears to have the same properties as human AM. Despite the observed positive healing abilities of this tissue in horses with ulcerative keratitis the proteins of equine AM have not been described. Objective To identify proteins known to be associated with corneal healing from frozen equine AM. Procedures Placentas were acquired from healthy live foal births from a local Thoroughbred breeding farm. The amnion was removed from the chorion by blunt dissection, washed with phosphate-buffered saline ( PBS), and treated with 0.05% trypsin and 0.02% ethylene diaminetetraacetic acid in PBS. Amnion was attached to nitrocellulose paper (epithelial side up), and cut into 4 × 4 cm pieces. The sheets were frozen at −80 °C. The protein samples were solubilized, and analyzed by 2D gel electrophoresis and shotgun proteomics. Results A reference identification map of the equine AM proteins was produced and 149 different proteins were identified. From gel-based proteomics, 49 spots were excised and 43 proteins identified by liquid chromatography coupled to tandem mass spectrometry ( LC- MS/ MS). Shotgun proteomics identified 116 proteins with an overlap of 10 proteins in both analyses. Conclusions We have described a reference map for equine AM proteins that may provide a background to explain the positive results found in horses with ulcerative keratopathies using this biomaterial. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose The ability of human newborns to produce tears has been a subject of controversy in the literature since the mid-20th century, and there has been considerable debate as to whether they are able to produce tears. Recently, it was established that total tear secretion (reflex + basal) in full-term infants is similar to those of adults whereas both reflex and basal tear production is reduced in premature babies. The objectives of this study were to assess whether newborn dogs have measurable aqueous tear production at the fourth week of life and to evaluate a modified Schirmer tear test (mSTT) as a useful method for measuring neonatal tear production in dogs. Methods Thirty four-week-old healthy puppies from six litters were evaluated. A control group was composed of 10 normal adult dogs. The mSTT strips were obtained by cutting a 5 mm-wide strip in half (making two 2.5 mm-wide strips). The mSTT1 was performed in puppies and adult dogs. Values were compared using t-tests. Results In neonates, the average value for the mSTT1 was 13.6 ± 3.07 (range = 7-19 mm/min), which was significantly lower in neonates than in adult dogs (23.25 ± 3.5, range = 17-30 mm/min, P < 0.0001). Conclusions Canine neonates do produce tears by the fourth week of life, which can be successfully measured with the mSTT. This report established for the first time that canine neonates have significantly reduced total (reflex + basal) tear secretion compared to adults. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents a study in which a serologic investigation of antibodies to Toxoplasma gondii, Neospora caninum, Rubella aborts and Leptospira species was conducted on maned wolves (Chrysocyon brachyurus) and crab-eating foxes (Cerdocyon thous) at the Aguas Emendadas Ecological Station (ESECAE), Brazil. As stated, the study demonstrated that wild canid populations are at a higher risk of exposure to Toxoplasma gondii and indicated that there is high environmental contamination at the Station. It predicts that the contamination could be due to the proximity of the station to urban locality or due to the presence of domestic cats and wild infected felines in the region.

Objective Animal Studied Procedures Results Conclusion To describe the clinical and pathological characteristics of a neoformation suggestive of myxosarcoma in a cat's eyelid.An 11‐year‐old mixed‐breed castrated female cat presented with a nodule on the lower eyelid approximately 1.6 cm in diameter, multilobulated, non‐ulcerated, soft, and adhered to both the skin and conjunctiva of the lower eyelid.The incisional biopsy revealed findings suggestive of a peripheral nerve sheath tumor. After performing an exenteration of the right eyeball to ensure a safe surgical margin, the tissue samples were sent for histopathological analysis and later for immunohistochemistry.Microscopic evaluation classified the mass as a grade‐I mesenchymal neoplasm, suggesting myxosarcoma and malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumor as differential diagnoses. An immunohistochemical examination was carried out to differentiate the neoplasm. Once tumors of neural origin were excluded, the diagnosis of myxosarcoma was indicated as the most likely.We report a presumed case of eyelid myxosarcoma in a cat, highlighting its relevance in the differential diagnosis in the evaluation of eyelid and conjunctival neoplasms in cats. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Keratomycosis in the horse exists in several unique clinical forms. This paper discusses the diagnosis and clinical management of keratomycosis in the horse associated with tear film instability, epithelial keratopathy, subepithelial infiltrates, superficial and deep ulcers, plaques, melting ulcers, descemetoceles, iris prolapse, and stromal abscesses. Prompt diagnosis and aggressive treatment of equine keratomycosis can make a major difference in the maintenance of a cosmetic and visual eye., Competing Interests: Disclosure The authors report no conflicts of interest in this work.