Protocol for assessment of the pupillary light reflex in dogs without chemical restraint: preliminary investigation

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To explore the use of a modified pupillometry technique in dogs without chemical restraint. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Following dark adaptation, pupillary light reflexes were assessed in six dogs with sudden acquired retinal degeneration syndrome, in the unaffected eye of eight dogs with unilateral primary glaucoma ("predisposed"), and in 11 healthy dogs. Responses to red, blue and white lights were recorded and relative pupil sizes subsequently determined based on video recordings of each test. RESULTS: Mean testing time was 2.3 minutes (range 1.8 to 3.1 minutes), excluding time for dark adaptation. Baseline pupil size in dogs with sudden acquired retinal degeneration syndrome was g..