Intraocular pressure and Schirmer tear test results in clinically normal Long‐Eared Hedgehogs (Hemiechinus auritus): reference values

Abstract

The present study was undertaken to establish reference values for Schirmer tear test (STT) and intraocular pressure (IOP) in the long-eared hedgehog (Hemiechinus auritus). Fourteen healthy long-eared hedgehogs (H. auritus) of either sex were studied. The hedgehogs were individually immobilized with an intramuscular injection of combined Ketamine (20 mg/kg) and Diazepam (0.5 mg/kg), and each animal underwent ophthalmic examinations including: STT, tonometry, biomicroscopy, and indirect ophthalmoscopy. No significant effects of animal gender, weight, side (right vs. left eye) were found in this study. Mean (SD) STT values for all eyes (n = 28) were 1.7 ± 1.2 mm/1 min with a range of 0-4 mm/1 min. Mean STT in male animals was 2.2 ± 1.2. Mean STT in female Hedgehogs was 1.3 ± 1.1. Mean (SD) IOP values by applanation tonometry were 20.1 ± 4.0 mmHg (range 11.5-26.5 mmHg). Mean (SD) IOP values by applanation tonometry were 18.2 ± 4.0 and 22.0 ± 3.2 mmHg for males and females, respectively. This study reports STT and IOP findings in long-eared hedgehogs (H. auritus).