Strip meniscometry in dogs, cats, and rabbits.

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this study was to establish the normal values of strip meniscometry (SM) as a lacrimal function test and to compare the results with Schirmer tear test I (STT I) in dogs, cats, and rabbits.

ANIMALS STUDIED

Sixty healthy adult dogs from twelve different breeds (120 eyes), twenty adult healthy domestic shorthair cats (40 eyes) and eighteen adult healthy New Zealand white rabbits (36 eyes) were used in this study.

PROCEDURES

Lacrimal function was tested by SM tube in all animals. After 24 h at the same time of day, tear production was measured using STT I.

RESULTS

Mean SM and STT I values for all of the dogs, cats, and rabbits were 9.66 ± 2.15 mm/5 s and 15.10 ± 3.06 mm/min; 10.50 ± 0.7 mm/5 s and 11.00 ± 1.41 mm/min; 4.72 ± 1.20 mm/5 s and 4.22 ± 2.47 mm/min, respectively. There was a correlation (r = 0.281; P = 0.018) between SM and STT I values in dogs, but no correlation was observed in cats and rabbits (P = 0.61, P = 0.06). No correlation was found between age of animals and obtained SM values in each species (P > 0.29). Sex had no effect on SM values in each species (P > 0.08).

CONCLUSIONS

The result of this study provided the normal clinical values of strip meniscometry as lacrimal function test in three species.