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J Zoo Wildl Med.: Ocular bacterial flora, tear
production, and intra-ocular pressure in a captive flock of Humboldt
penguins (Spheniseus humboldti).
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| Article Type: | Brief article |
| Subject: |
Penguins
(Health aspects) Penguins (Research) Intraocular pressure (Diagnosis) Intraocular pressure (Research) Bacteria (Health aspects) Bacteria (Research) |
| Authors: |
Swinger, R.L. Langan, J.N. Hamor R. |
| Pub Date: | 12/01/2009 |
| Publication: | Name: Journal of Avian Medicine and Surgery Publisher: Association of Avian Veterinarians Audience: Academic Format: Magazine/Journal Subject: Health Copyright: COPYRIGHT 2009 Association of Avian Veterinarians ISSN: 1082-6742 |
| Issue: | Date: Dec, 2009 Source Volume: 23 Source Issue: 4 |
| Topic: | Event Code: 310 Science & research |
| Geographic: | Geographic Scope: United States Geographic Code: 1USA United States |
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| Accession Number: | 252007013 |
| Full Text: |
The purpose of this study was to determine normal ocular surface
bacterial flora, tear production, and intra-ocular pressure in a captive
flock of Humboldt penguins, Spheniscus humboldti. Twenty-eight healthy
penguins were studied and equally divided between fresh- and saltwater
habitats. The population consisted of 15 female and 13 male penguins,
which ranged from 3 to 20 years of age. After a complete ophthalmic
examination, 4 penguins with cataracts were removed from the study.
Eight penguins from each habitat were randomly selected for ocular
surface aerobic bacterial culture. Corynebacterium species and
Staphylococcus species were the most common isolates. Twenty-five
organisms, which consisted of 17 species, and 15 organisms, which
consisted of 9 species, were identified in fresh- and saltwater groups,
respectively. Tear production and intra-ocular pressures were evaluated
on 24 penguins with normal ocular examinations. The range and the mean
(standard deviation) tear production, measured with the Schirmer tear
test, were 1-12 mm/min and 6.45 [+ or -] 2.9 mm/min, respectively. The
mean tear production for penguins housed in the freshwater habitat was
greater (8.5 min/min) than those in saltwater (4.8 mm/min). The range
and the mean (standard deviation) intra-ocular pressure, measured by
applanation tonometry with a Tono-Pen XL tonometer, were 10-27 mm Hg and
20.36 [+ or -] 4.1 mm Hg, respectively. These data should be used as a
reliable resource for those involved in avian and zoo medicine. 2009;40:430-436. |
| Gale Copyright: | Copyright 2009 Gale, Cengage Learning. All rights reserved. |