Doppler ultrasonography of the pectinis oculi artery in harpy eagles (Harpia harpyja)

Twenty harpy eagles (Harpia harpyja) without systemic or ocular diseases were examined to measure blood velocity parameters of the pectinis oculi artery using Doppler ultrasonography. Pectinate artery resistive index (RI) and pulsatility index (PI) were investigated using ocular Doppler ultrasonography. The mean RI and PI values across all eyes were 0.44±0.10 and 0.62±0.20 respectively. Low RI and PI values found in the harpy eagle´s pectinis oculi artery compared with the American pekin ducks one and other tissue suggest indeed a high metabolic activity in pecten oculi and corroborates the hypothesis of a nutritional function and/or intraocular pressure regulation.Keywords: Avian posterior segment, Pulsatility index, Raptors, Resistive index

Retrospective and prospective study of progressive retinal atrophy in dogs presented to the veterinary hospital of the Federal University of Parana, Brazil

Background: Progressive retinal atrophy (PRA) is one of the main causes of blindness in dogs. Despite its clinical importance, there is limited epidemiological information available, particularly in South America.Aim: The main objective of this study was to perform a retrospective, and prospective analysis of PRA in dogsadmitted at the Veterinary Hospital of the Federal University of Paraná, Brazil.Methods: Medical records of dogs admitted between 2014 and 2018 were selected through the archives of theComparative Ophthalmology Laboratory. A total of 130 dogs with medical records indicating clinical signs suggestiveof PRA, independent of the electroretinography confirmation, were selected. In order to investigate commoncharacteristics, each patient’s clinical history, ophthalmic examination, and visual status were reviewed (obstaclecourse, pupillary light reflex, dazzle reflex, visual tracking to a cotton ball, and menace responses). Additionally, aprospective study was performed, where flash electroretinography was performed on 30 animals with clinical signs suggestive of PRA, and 14 animals were selected for fundus photography. Data were assessed through descriptive and inferential statistics.Results: A total of 2,055 dogs were evaluated between January 2014 and December 2018. Of those, 130 animals were presumptively diagnosed with PRA (6.33%), consisting of 18 different breeds and 27 dogs with a mixed pedigree.Poodles were the most prevalent breed (n = 26; 20.00%), followed by Cocker Spaniels (n = 19; 14.62%). In the reported caseload, Pomeranians showed a considerably higher odds ratio for PRA development (15.36%). Conclusion: Pomeranians presented a high odds ratio, suggesting that further studies may be performed with breeds with a high potential for developing this disease

Doppler ultrasonography of the pectinis oculi artery in harpy eagles (Harpia harpyja)

Twenty harpy eagles (Harpia harpyja) without systemic or ocular diseases were examined to measure blood velocity parameters of the pectinis oculi artery using Doppler ultrasonography. Pectinate artery resistive index (RI) and pulsatility index (PI) were investigated using ocular Doppler ultrasonography. The mean RI and PI values across all eyes were 0.44±0.10 and 0.62±0.20 respectively. Low RI and PI values found in the harpy eagle´s pectinis oculi artery compared with the American pekin ducks one and other tissue suggest indeed a high metabolic activity in pecten oculi and corroborates the hypothesis of a nutritional function and/or intraocular pressure regulation.Keywords: Avian posterior segment, Pulsatility index, Raptors, Resistive index