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These observations indicate that both acepromazine or xylazine significantly reduced tear production in clinically normal cats. In cats, clinicians should measure STT values prior to utilizing acepromazine or xylazine as sedatives in order to accurately assess the results. Moreover, sterile ocular lubricant or tear replacement should be used as a corneal protectant during sedation with these drugs.

A few studies have been done on the seroepidemiology of anti-Neospora caninum antibodies in dairy and beef cattle farms in Iran, which suggested the presence of N. caninum in these areas, but there is no published information directed on the presence or epidemiology of this organism in the dogs in Iran. To investigate anti-N. caninum antibodies in household dogs and dogs living in cattle farms, 100 blood samples were collected: 50 from dogs living in dairy and beef cattle farms and 50 from household dogs. Serum samples were screened for detection of anti-N. caninum IgG antibodies using indirect fluorescent antibody test (IFAT; > or = 50). Antibodies were seen in 10 (20%) of 50 household dogs and in 23 (46%) of 50 farm dogs. There were significant statistical differences in seropositivity between these two groups (P = 0.005). The IFAT antibody titers were as follows: 1:50 in seven dogs, 1:100 in eight dogs, 1:200 in six dogs, 1:400 in seven dogs, 1:800 in three dogs, 1:1,600 in one dog, and 1:12,800 in one dog. There were no significant differences in seropositivity between males and females. The positive results were increasing with age, and positive results were significantly different in the age group of older than 2 years compared to the dogs of age group under 1 year (P = 0.000) and 1-2 years (P = 0.007). The results confirm the exposure of household and farm dogs to N. caninum in Tehran and the higher rate of exposure for the dogs of dairy and cattle farms around Tehran.

103 serum samples were taken from owned dogs in Tehran (53 urban dogs and 50 farm dogs) from February to May 2005 and tested for IgG antibody against Neospora caninum using the immunofluorescence antibody test. Urban dogs were selected from apparent healthy dogs referred to the Small Animal Hospital of Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Tehran, for routine operation, and the farm dogs were selected from the sheepdogs in sheep flocks around Tehran randomly. The titer of 1:50 was selected as cutoff. In total, 20 of 103 cases (19.4%) were identified as positive. The infection rate in farm dogs (28%) was higher than in urban dogs (11.3%), and the difference was statistically significant (p < 0.05). The infection rates in different genders and age groups were determined. The differences between seroprevalence of N. caninum infection in different sexes were not significant. A high correlation was observed between the infection rate and age (r (2) = 0.97, p < 0.01).