Survey of Ocular Disease in Freeliving Subadult Male Northern Fur Seals (Callorhinus ursinus)
IAAAM Archive
Michael K. Stoskopf, DVM1; Steve Zimmerman, PhD2
1National Aquarium in Baltimore, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine; 2National Marine Fisheries Service

Male fur seals from 2 to 5 years old being harvested for pelts were examined for evidence of ocular anterior segment disease. Two thousand six hundred and fifty-three seals (2,653-approximately 10% of the total harvest) were examined from 12 haulout areas during 24 harvests. Iatrogeruc ocular trauma occurred in at least one eye in 42% of the animals examined. Only animals with both eyes intact and undamaged by the killing process were included in the study. One thousand five hundred and one (1,501) animals met these conditions. Seventy-three of these (4.8%) exhibited eye lesions. Six had bilateral corneal pitting, and one animal had bilateral central corneal scars of 8 and 6 diameters. Corneal scars were the most frequently observed abnormality (39/3002 eyes) followed closely by prominent lens sutures (37/3002 eyes). Partial iris depigmentations were observed in 13 animals and all were unilateral with no evidence of trauma. Cataracts were observed in 23 animals. All were unilateral and concurrent with corneal scars and/or iris damage indicative of traumatic origin. Roughed anterior lens capsules were observed in 7 individuals. No corneal edema was found.

Speaker Information
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Michael K. Stoskopf, DVM, PhD
Baltimore, MD


MAIN : Session VI : Survey of Ocular Disease
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