Intraocular pressure estimates using rebound tonometry in juvenile northern bobwhite quails (Colinus virginianus)

Objective: To determine intraocular pressure (IOP) estimates using rebound tonometry in juvenile northern bobwhite quails. Animals Studied: Eighteen, 28-day-old, wild caught, captive raised, northern bobwhite quails. Procedures: Birds were manually restrained in sternal recumbency with two fingers placed below the head, applying minimal pressure. Following detailed ophthalmic examination by a board-certified veterinary ophthalmologist, IOP was obtained via rebound tonometry using the Tonovet "P" setting for undefined species in animals without obvious ocular pathology. IOPs were estimated three times on each eye. The mean result of the three estimates was recorded for further analysis. Only readings with low or no reported error were recorded. Results: No difference was detected between the eyes; therefore, a reference interval was calculated using both eyes. The overall IOP (n = 36 eyes) was 5.6 +/- 1.2 mmHg (mean +/- SD), the median was 6 mmHg, and the range was 2-7 mmHg. The 95% reference interval was 2.2-7.6 mmHg. All quails were ultimately released with no clinically appreciable abnormalities. Conclusions: This study provides information on normal IOP values for juvenile northern bobwhite quails, which can be used to evaluate the ocular health of this species. Future studies with a larger number of animals are needed, as well as validation of the rebound tonometry method using direct manometry.