Introduction

Tear production varies between sex, breed, and age, and it is influenced by diurnal variations and environmental conditions in dogs and cats. Bacterial organisms living in the conjunctival sac of these species also may change due to geographic location, climate, breed, and different culture techniques.

Objectives

Measure the tear production, nasolacrimal duct patency, and conjunctival aerobic bacterial isolates of clinical healthy dogs and cats of Manizales, Colombia.

Methods

Twenty healthy dogs and 16 healthy cats were prospectively enrolled. Tear production was measured by Schirmer Tear Test I using sterile standard test strips for all 72 eyes. Conjunctival swabs were performed in one eye using sterile swabs, placed in a medium transport and processed for aerobic culture. Fluorescein solution was applied in both eyes and nasolacrimal drainage was positive if green color dye was evident in the nostrils in less than 5 minutes after application.

Results

The only bacterial organism isolated was Staphylococcus spp., cultured in 42% of dogs and in 27% of cats; the remaining animals were considered negative. The average tear production in healthy dogs was 16.3 mm (5 to 25 mm), and in cats was 9.3 mm (5 to 22 mm). Only six dogs showed a negative nasolacrimal drainage.

Conclusions

Staphylococcus spp. was the only aerobic bacterial isolate in healthy dogs and cats in this study. The average tear production of dogs and cats was reduced compared to other authors. Tear evaporation due to high altitudes and different culture techniques could explain the results of this study.