Objective: To describe ocular anatomical features and to determine tear production and tonometry in normal anesthetized ring-tailed coati (Nasua nasua).
Animals: Eight male and seven female ring-tailed coatis (30 eyes) were evaluated, with ages ranging from 7 months to 10 years old.
Procedures: The animals were anesthetized with isoflurane and had STT 1, rebound and applanation tonometry, and palpebral fissure length (PFL) measured in both eyes. Rebound tonometry was measured with both TonoVet® and TonoVet Plus®. All eyes were evaluated with slit-lamp biomicroscopy. Following pharmacological mydriasis, direct fundoscopy was performed. ANOVA and Tukey tests were used for the data analysis.
Results: There were upper and lower eyelids, as well as a third eyelid. Eyelashes were present on the upper eyelid, while meibomian glands openings were visible on both. The bulbar conjunctiva was pigmented. The pupil was obliquely horizontally ovoid and teardrop shaped when miotic. The color of the iris and tapetum lucidum varied with age. The optic disk was round, and the retina was holangiotic. The mean ± standard deviation values obtained were as follows: STT: 2.50 ± 2.39 mm/min; rebound tonometry: 9.50 ± 2.43 mmHg (TonoVet®, calibration P), 14.60 ± 2.82 mmHg (TonoVet®, calibration D), 18.93 ± 3.99 mmHg (TonoVet Plus®, calibration dog); applanation tonometry: 18.66 ± 4.16 mmHg; PFL: 10.98 ± 1.67 mm.
Conclusions and clinical relevance: Anatomical and clinical ophthalmic data presented in this study are unprecedented for this species. The results can be used as clinical reference parameters, allowing for better care of these species. The lack of data for the Procyonidae family must be regarded as an incentive for more studies.
Keywords: Schirmer tear test; intraocular pressure; optic nerve; palpebral fissure length; ring-tailed coati; wild animals.
© 2021 American College of Veterinary Ophthalmologists.