Evaluation of tear production with modified Schirmer tear test-1 during the neonatal period in cats

Abstract

The study aimed to evaluate tear production by means of modified Schirmer tear tes-1 (mSTT-1) in neonate cats. Likewise, correlation between mSTT-1 and STT-1 was assessed in vitro. Standard SST strips were cut in half and after eye lid opening, tear production of neonates (n=15) was daily measured in both eyes (mSTT-1), until the 7th day, and at day 14, 21, and 28. Animals were daily weighted until 28 days of age. Results were compared statistically (P<0.05). During the first 7 days, the overall mSTT-1 mean was 0.76 wetting/ minute. Significant differences between right and left eyes were not observed at any time point (P=1.00). Tear secretion increased significantly, from the 14 th to 28 th day, in comparison with 7 first days (P<0.05). Positive correlation between maturity parameters and tear secretion was observed (P<0.0001). Distance between slopes of each strip changed significantly (P<0.0001). It was concluded that tear secretion in the neonatal period of cats is very below the reference values described for young and adults of the same species. It is not possible to extrapolate results obtained with mSTT-1 to standard STT-1.

Evaluation of tear production using the Schirmer tear test I in healthy cats; effect of age, life stage, sex, breed and neuter status

“…13 Those authors demonstrated that tear production increased from 0.67±0.18 mm/min to 2.14±1.20 mm/min from eyelid opening until 28 days of age. 13 It is diicult to compare values obtained with a modiied STT strip with those from a standard STT strip. In dogs under 6 months old, STT reportedly increased by 0.15 mm/min per day with increase in age.…”

“…Tear production of neonatal cats has previously been reported with an STT strip modified by cutting lengthwise into half with a scalpel blade 13 . Those authors demonstrated that tear production increased from 0.67±0.18 mm/min to 2.14±1.20 mm/min from eyelid opening until 28 days of age 13 . It is difficult to compare values obtained with a modified STT strip with those from a standard STT strip.…”

Evaluation of tear production in juvenile opossum using three different methods

“…The modified Schirmer tear test (Ophthalmos ® , São Paulo, Brazil) was performed with the strip cut in half using a No. 15 scalpel blade, to reduce its width from 5.0mm to 2.5mm (Conceição et al 2011). The modified strip was inserted into the lower conjunctival sac and maintained for 60 seconds.…”

“…Schirmer tear test (STT) is considered the gold standard for the quantitative evaluation of this fluid, with reports for humans, domestic and wild animals (Beech et al 2003, Trost et al 2007, Trbolova & Ghaffari 2012. However, modifications were suggested to species with palpebral fissure length smaller than the width of the strip (5.0mm), adapting it to 2.5mm (mSTT) (Conceição et al 2011, Lange et al 2012, Silva et al 2013, Somma et al 2015.…”