LACRIMAL PRODUCTION OF CATS: SCHIRMER TEAR TEST, PHENOL RED THREAD TEAR TEST AND ENDODONTIC ABSORBENT PAPER POINT

Resumo

The lacrimal production measurement is part of the ophthalmic semiotechnique in clinical routine of small animals and the Schirmer Tear Test (STT) is the most used tool for lacrimal production assessment in cats. There are few studies in the literature using alternative methods that aim optimizing the results and reduce stress of manipulation or discomfort caused by the test. Thus, the aim of this study was to determine the values of lacrimal production in cats through Schirmer tear test type-1 (STT1), Phenol red thread tear test (PRTT) and the Endodontic absorbent paper point tear test (EAPPTT). Twenty two cats, eleven males and eleven females, castrated, without evidence of clinical and ophthalmic disorder and assessed in domiciliary environment were used in this experiment. STT1 caused the major discomfort, followed by EAPPTT and PRTT. There were no significant differences between right and left eye and gender in all tests. The mean (± SD) STT1 value was 16.77 ± 5.10 mm/min., PRTT value was 27.95 ± 4.79 mm/15 sec. and EAPPTT value was 13.64 ± 2.67 mm/15 sec. The results obtained may help in the diagnosis of quantitative disorders in the aqueous portion of the tear film, through alternative tests, as well as in the guiding for selecting the most suitable test.