title: Selected ophthalmic diagnostic tests, bony orbit anatomy, and ocular histology in sambar deer (Rusa unicolor).
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of this study was to establish reference values for diagnostic ophthalmic tests in sambar deer (Rusa unicolor) as well as to describe the most relevant features of the bony orbital anatomy and ocular histology.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twenty healthy animals, free living in a forest reserve, that were captured for clinical evaluation as part of a health survey were evaluated. Schirmer tear test-1 (STT1), conjunctival microbiota, intraocular pressure (IOP), conjunctival cytology, anatomy of the bony orbit, and ocular histology were studied.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Mean ± SD STT1 and IOP values were 18.8 ± 4.7 mm and 11.4 ± 2.8 mmHg, respectively. IOP was significantly higher in adult (4-8 years) animals (P = 0.04). Bacterial growth was present in 100% of the samples, with a prevalence for Staphylococcus sp. and Bacillus sp. The conjunctival cytology revealed predominance of columnar epithelial cells with mild pigmentation. The sambar deer orbit is completely encompassed by bone. The ocular histology was very similar to most mammalians.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The findings in this study will be useful in the diagnosis of ocular diseases in Rusa unicolor.
authors.affiliation: School of Veterinary Medicine and Zootechny, Federal University of Bahia, UFBA, 500, Avenida Adhemar de Barros, Salvador, 40170-110, Brazil.
authors.forename: Arianne P
authors.initials: AP
authors.lastname: Oriá
authors.forename: Deusdete C
authors.initials: DC
authors.lastname: Gomes Junior
authors.forename: Alberto Vinícius D
authors.initials: AV
authors.lastname: Oliveira
authors.forename: Victor P
authors.initials: VP
authors.lastname: Curvelo
authors.forename: Alessandra
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Estrela-Lima
authors.forename: Melissa H
authors.initials: MH
authors.lastname: Pinna
authors.forename: Íris D S
authors.initials: ÍD
authors.lastname: Meneses
authors.forename: Emanoel F M
authors.initials: EF
authors.lastname: Filho
authors.forename: Ron
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Ofri
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D003228:Conjunctiva / Q000166:cytology; D003670:Deer / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D003941:Diagnostic Techniques, Ophthalmological / Q000662:veterinary*; D005260:Female; D007429:Intraocular Pressure; D008297:Male; D009915:Orbit / Q000033:anatomy & histology*
keywords: Schirmer tear test; bacterial flora; conjunctival cytology; intraocular pressure; ocular histology; orbit