Fundoscopy in cats: a practical guide and common findings.

Area of Science:

• Veterinary Ophthalmology
• Ophthalmic Examination Techniques

Background:

• Feline fundoscopy is a crucial component of veterinary examinations, particularly for senior cats or those with ocular issues.
• It offers vital diagnostic information for systemic diseases, improving treatment outcomes.
• This review targets veterinary clinicians, providing essential knowledge for performing fundoscopy.

Purpose of the Study:

• To provide a comprehensive guide for veterinary clinicians on performing feline fundoscopy.
• To detail the necessary equipment and techniques for high-quality fundus imaging.
• To assist in differentiating normal retinal variants from pathological findings.

Main Methods:

• Review of published literature on feline retinal pathologies.
• Incorporation of authors' extensive experience in feline fundoscopy.
• Guidance on utilizing direct and indirect ophthalmoscopes, condensing lenses, and focal light sources.

Main Results:

• Successful fundoscopy requires practice to achieve proficiency in image capture.
• Smartphone photography can yield high-quality fundus images.
• Understanding common feline retinal pathologies is key to accurate diagnosis.

Conclusions:

• Feline fundoscopy is an indispensable diagnostic tool for veterinary clinicians.
• Mastering fundoscopy and fundus photography enhances diagnostic capabilities for systemic and ocular diseases.
• This review equips clinicians with the knowledge and techniques for confident funduscopic examination.