Use of Quantitative Pupillary Light Reflex Assessment Over Standard Assessment of Neurologic Function in Traumatic Brain Injury Patients: a Pilot Study 

Enrollment Status: Currently Enrolling 

Inclusion Criteria: Dogs that suffer traumatic brain injury and have altered mental status.

Exclusion Criteria:  Dogs with eye disease.

Treatment:  A pupilometer will be used to take measurements during the study. It measures aspects of pupil constriction, including speed and reaction time non-invasively. This instrument is similar to the one that is used during eye doctor appointments for people. It takes measurements once it is near the eye, but it doesn’t touch the eye. The eyelids might need to be opened slightly by the person helping with the exam if the dog doesn’t hold them open on its own. The measurements will be taken hourly for the first 12 hours of hospitalization and every 24 hours after that. This test will be compared to standardized scoring system that will also be performed in your dog.  

Cost: The study will cover the cost of pupillometry. 

Contacts: Please fill out the study interest form or mention the study to your Emergency Care doctor.

Study Investigators: Dr. Jake Wolf

Background: The objective of this study is to evaluate the utility of pupillometry (objective changes in pupil size) in dogs with a traumatic brain injury. We hypothesize that decreased pupil reactivity as measured by pupillometry will be an early predictor of neurologic deterioration and be a poor prognostic indicator.