Dissection

Two additional representative adult domestic shorthair cat cadavers were obtained via the body donation program at the Tufts University Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine. Post-mortem weights were 3.6 kg and 4.6 kg. The cats had normal globes and no evident craniofacial pathology or muscle wasting. These cadavers were obtained immediately after death and globes were of a normal shape, size and tension.

In both cats, a 5/8” 25 G needle was introduced into the left infraorbital foramen by one of the authors (SAP) using an intraoral approach and was advanced up to the hub. Trypan blue dye (0.2 ml) was injected. A 1” 22 G over the needle intravenous catheter was similarly introduced into the right infraorbital foramen. The catheter portion was then advanced as far as possible, maintaining the stylet tip just inside the foramen. The stylet was removed and 0.2 ml of trypan blue dye was injected. Bilateral routine transconjunctival enucleation was performed. Globes and orbits were observed for presence of dye and evidence of globe penetration, and photographs were taken.