In recent years, keeping small mammals as pets has become increasingly popular, especially with species such as rabbits, guinea pigs, chinchillas, hamsters, and rats. These animals offer many advantages as companions due to their compact size and typically affectionate, easily tamed behavior, making them well-suited for a variety of living environments. However, this growing trend has also led to a rising demand for proper healthcare and treatment options to ensure their well-being. Over the past decade, ophthalmic diseases have become increasingly common, particularly in rabbits. There is a growing need for a rapid and reliable method to diagnose ocular conditions in these species to ensure a recognized, comprehensive, and conclusive diagnosis. Accurate diagnostic approaches are essential, as they directly impact the effectiveness of treatment. This is especially important given that ophthalmic examinations in rabbits can often be technically challenging. Ophthalmoscopy provides a valuable means of magnifying ocular structures in small animals, enabling detailed examination of anterior and posterior segments of the eye. Despite its diagnostic potential, this technique has historically been applied only occasionally and primarily in experimental settings. The primary objective of this study is to assess and compare the mydriatic efficacy of three pharmacological agents—atropine, phenylephrine, and tropicamide—in domestic rabbit, with the aim of determining the most effective compound for achieving adequate pupil dilation for ophtalmoscopic examination. The secondary objective was to evaluate the feasibility, clinical utility, and user-friendliness of ophthalmoscopy as a diagnostic tool in domestic rabbits.
BEL et al. (Thu,) studied this question.