Cats are easily stressed, especially at the veterinary clinic. A study by researchers in Brazil decided to determine the impact of acute stress on tear production in companion cats to provide a basis for the need to minimize stress during ophthalmic evaluations.
The study included 24 healthy, owned cats, ages 8 months to 7 years, with no history of ocular disease. The study used the Schirmer tear test (STT) to measure the output of tears when the cats were calm and when they were stressed. The stress stimulus consisted of recordings of barking dogs, cats fighting, and the murmuring of people. For both tests, heart rate was assessed before, during, and after the tests, and the environmental stress level was evaluated.
The researchers found STT values were significantly higher (meaning increased tear production) with stress than without stress. Similarly, the heart rate was significantly higher in stress versus non-stress conditions, and the environmental stress score was significantly higher in stress versus non-stress conditions.
Donat Almagro L, Moutinho I, Mendes de Oliveira V, Ferreira Gonçalves G. Impact of stress on the tear production of healthy cats. Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery. 2024;26(3). doi:10.1177/1098612X241233116
