Objective To evaluate goblet cell density (GCD) and distribution in cats without clinical evidence of ocular surface disease and without histologic evidence of conjunctival disease. Animals studied Fourteen domestic-shorthair cats euthanized for reasons unrelated to this study. Procedures Before euthanasia, cats were verified using slit-lamp biomicroscopy and fluorescein staining to be free of eyelid or ocular surface abnormalities. Immediately after euthanasia, bilateral conjunctival specimens including third eyelid (TEL) were collected, routinely processed, stained with Periodic acid-Schiff and hematoxylin and eosin. Thirteen conjunctival regions were identified. For each region, GCD was expressed as percentage of goblet cells/200 basal epithelial cells. Results Mean GCD ranged widely by region: anterior face of the TEL = 48.8%, fornicial regions = 47.0%, palpebral regions = 38.5%, bulbar regions = 19.6%, and posterior face of the TEL = 12.6%. The anterior surface of the TEL had significantly higher GCD than did the bulbar and the palpebral regions but not the fornicial regions. Bulbar conjunctiva had significantly lower GCD than did all other conjunctival regions except the posterior surface of the TEL. No significant difference was noted between GCD of male versus female cats, dorsal versus ventral regions or lateral versus medial regions. Conclusions Although conjunctival GCD ranged widely by region, the anterior surface of the TEL appears to be an excellent location for assessing conjunctival goblet cells in cats since this area has high GCD and is more readily accessible than are the palpebral, fornicial, or bulbar conjunctiva.

A subadult male bald eagle ( Haliaeetus leucocephalus ) was presented for severe depression and weakness. Physical examination findings included depressed mentation, dehydration, sternal recumbency, poor body condition, and bilateral, whole-head, horizontal nystagmus. A heavy-metal panel was performed, and blood lead levels were 6.1 ppm. Treatment for lead poisoning was initiated, including subcutaneous fluids and parenteral calcium-disodium ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid, ceftiofur, and meloxicam. Ophthalmic examination findings included absent menace response, absent dazzle reflex, slow and incomplete direct pupillary light reflex, mild anterior uveitis, incipient cataracts, multifocal retinal tears, and retinal separation in both eyes. Because of poor prognosis for vision and release to the wild, the eagle was euthanatized. No lesions were observed on gross postmortem examination. Histologically, extensive myocardial necrosis and multisystemic arteriolar vasculopathy were identified. The eyes were examined after tissue processing, and the vasculopathy extended into the choriocapillaris and was associated with a secondary, bilateral, exudative, retinal detachment. This is the first report in avian species characterizing the histopathologic ocular lesions of lead poisoning.

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