Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
How humidity changes tear test results in normal dogs
By Yoon, Angela et al.·Published in Veterinary ophthalmology·2020·Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, United States·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Environmental relative humidity affects Schirmer tear test results in normal dogs.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A group of 22 normal dogs underwent tear tests to see how different humidity levels and temperatures affected their results. The study found that higher humidity levels led to increased tear production as measured by the Schirmer tear test, while temperature did not have a significant effect. However, the changes in tear production due to humidity were not likely to cause any serious issues in healthy dogs. This information could be useful for veterinarians when interpreting tear test results, especially in different environmental conditions.
People also search for: dog tear test results · why is my dog’s eye watering · Schirmer tear test humidity effect
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of environmental temperature and relative humidity on tear test results in dogs. ANIMALS STUDIED: 22 normal dogs. PROCEDURES: Routine Schirmer tear tests (STT1) and phenol red thread tests (PRTT) were administered to normal dogs in four environmental conditions with different relative humidity (RH) and temperature (T). Environmental conditions (mean ± SD) included the following: normal indoor (RH = 49 ± 4%, T = 72 ± 2°F), outdoor (RH = 62 ± 11%, T = 85 ± 6°F), indoor high humidity (RH = 85 ± 6%, T = 71 ± 1°F), and indoor low humidity (RH = 39 ± 2%, T = 76 ± 1°F). ANCOVA models were used to assess for significant associations between tear test readings and RH/T (P < .05). RESULTS: A significant, direct positive relationship between RH and STT1 results was detected (y = 0.04909*X + 19.11, P = .006) but not between T and STT1. There was no significant relationship between PRTT and RH or T. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that STT1 but not PRTT is affected by RH and that T does not influence STT1 or PRTT results in normal dogs. RH is unlikely, however, to cause clinically significant effects on STT1 readings in normal dogs when performed in average indoor conditions. Future studies should investigate the influence of RH on STT1 readings obtained in dogs with keratoconjunctivitis sicca.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32573896/