Page 2 - Clinical Connections - Spring 2021

RVC RESEARCH STUDY VETERINARY SERVICES
The microscope also allowed for the procedure to be recorded, and has since been viewed by other staff and students at the College.
The density of Poppy’s cataract alongside the fibrinous sheet beneath the anterior lens capsule made phacoemulsification, the conventional technique for cataract surgery, not viable. An intracapsular lens extraction (ICLE) was performed instead, which involved removing the lens in its entirety.
Given the higher anaesthetic risks and postoperative complications for Guinea pigs, Jo Hedley, Head of the RVC Exotics Referral Service, and her team were present to lend their expertise. Professor Ludovic Pelligand and Dr Alfonso Rodriguez Mulet from the Anaesthesia and Analgesia Service also helped to oversee Poppy’s anaesthesia.
Following lens removal of the right eye, thoracic auscultation revealed concerning respiratory signs. Prioritising Poppy’s welfare and anaesthetic safety, surgery on the left eye was decided to be postponed, which could be considered in the future.
Poppy was closely monitored by the Intensive Care Unit following surgery and made a smooth recovery. On discharge, her abnormal thoracic sounds had resolved, and her gut sounds were within normal limits.
Improvement to quality of life
On subsequent re-examination, Poppy’s owner noted that she is now visual in the right eye again. Although easily startled before surgery, Poppy is now a lot brighter and happier. Poppy’s owner is very pleased
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Poppy the Guinea pig
with the improvement in her quality of life following surgery.
The joint expertise and collaboration between the different services at the RVC made it possible for the anaesthetic risks and anatomical challenges of Poppy’s surgery to be well managed and exceptional postoperative care delivered.
Underlining the importance of the transdisciplinary approach of RVC clinicians, Dr Andrews said: “We are very fortunate here because we have the exotics team who come to visit the Queen Mother Hospital for Animals once a week. That enables us to have more of an exotics caseload and we can get them involved with anaesthetic complications and post- operative care as well.”
Poppy, being the first Guinea pig at the RVC to have undergone a cataract surgery, sets a strong precedent for future cases
in the UK and beyond. Having procured a new phacoemulsification tip and the Zeiss Opmi Lumera 700 ophthalmic microscope recently, the Ophthalmology Service
is also better equipped for the surgical management of other Guinea pigs and small mammals. Such cases also offer a unique learning experience to residents undertaking training at the RVC.
THE SPECTRUM OF OPHTHALMOLOGY CASES
• Cataractsurgeryforrabbits
• Rabbitswithretrobulbarabscesses that require CT and management
• AGuineapigwithtraumaticproptosis where the eye was re-placed
• Alpacaswithrupturedcornealulcers that required surgery and medical management
• AnAfricangreyparrotthathad cataracts – that case was referred to Bristol for surgery as, at that point, the RVC did not have the equipment to perform the surgery
• Astudyongianttortoises documenting their normal intraocular pressures and conjunctival bacteria, as part of a student project
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Close up of Poppy's left eye
For small animal referrals, please call: 01707 666399
Email: qmhreception@rvc.ac.uk
2 Spring 2021