title: Reference values for Schirmer tear tests I and II in clinically normal pigs.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine reference values for Schirmer tear tests I and II in clinically normal pigs.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twenty clinically normal Landrace pigs (10 males and females) without ocular abnormalities were used in this study.
  
  
  METHODS
  In all pigs, Schirmer tear tests (STT) I and II were performed by using a sterile Schirmer tear test standardized strip (Schirmer-Tränentest(®), Germany) placed in the lower conjunctival fornix for 1 min.
  
  
  RESULTS
  For each test (STT I and STT II), no differences were observed between the right and left eyes (P ≥ 0.5). The mean ± SD STT I value was 15.6 ± 3.7 mm/min (range, 10-22 mm/min), while the mean STT II value was 12.4 ± 3.8 mm/minute (range, 5-18 mm/min). The mean STT II value was significantly lower than the STT I level (P < 0.001). Animal gender did not have a significant effect on STT I and II values (P = 0.52). The mean ± SD STT I/II values of 10 juvenile pigs were significantly lower than the mean ± SD STT I/II values of 10 adult pigs (P < 0.001).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study of 20 Landrace pigs provided valuable information on normal STT I/II in this species. Knowledge of normal STT reference values in pigs enables the clinician to evaluate corneal pathology and diagnose tear deficiency syndromes with greater accuracy.
authors: Clinic of Small Animals, University of Veterinary Medicine and Pharmacy, Kosice, Slovakia. a.trbolova@gmail.com
authors: Alexandra
authors: A
authors: Trbolova
authors: Masoud Selk
authors: MS
authors: Ghaffari
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D003941:Diagnostic Techniques, Ophthalmological / Q000662:veterinary*; D005260:Female; D007765:Lacrimal Apparatus / Q000378:metabolism*; D008297:Male; D009799:Ocular Physiological Phenomena; D012016:Reference Values; D013552:Swine / Q000502:physiology*; D013666:Tears / Q000378:metabolism*