ObjectiveTo compare basal and reflex tear osmolarity in healthy dogs and to evaluate for correlation among tear film osmolarity, tear production, and tear fern pattern.Animals studiedThe population consisted of 22 healthy adult dogs.ProceduresReflex tear osmolarity was measured in both eyes using the I‐PEN® VET osmometer 30 minutes following the Schirmer tear test (STT‐1) measurement. Subsequently, two minutes following topical anesthetic application, the lacrimal lake and conjunctival fornices were dried, and 3 minutes later, basal tear osmolarity was measured. Tears were extracted from the dye‐free STT‐1 strip by centrifugation, placed on a glass slide, and the ferning pattern was determined by light microscopy. Comparisons between basal and reflex tears were performed with one‐way ANOVA. Correlations between tear osmolarity, STT‐1, and tear ferning were verified by Pearson's correlation coefficient.ResultsNo statistical difference was found between right and left eyes for STT‐1, tear fern pattern, and osmolarity of reflex or basal tears (P < .05). There was no statistical difference between osmolarity of basal and reflex tears among individuals (P < .05). No correlation was detected between tear fern pattern and osmolarity of reflex tears. A weak positive correlation was detected between STT‐1 values and osmolarity of reflex, but not basal tears.ConclusionsThe osmolarity of basal tears did not differ from that of reflex tears. A positive weak correlation exists between tear production and osmolarity of reflex tears. No correlation was detected between tear osmolarity measured by handheld osmometer and tear ferning.

TCEC is a successful, simple treatment for canine distichiasis.

Corneal healing involves a complex interaction of multiple proteinases, growth factors, and cytokines, which coordinate cell death, migration, proliferation, and differentiation, as well as extracellular matrix remodeling. 1 To maintain the corneal stroma's collagen and proteoglycan structure following ulceration, an equilibrium between

Objective To describe the efficacy of the sclerosing agent 1% polidocanol in the treatment of a suspected nasolacrimal duct cyst in a dog. Animal Studied A 5‐year‐old castrated male Golden Retriever with chronic epiphora of the right eye. Procedures Ocular examination revealed epiphora and a negative Jones test of the right eye and was otherwise normal. Computed tomography with dacryocystography confirmed a cystic structure in the right ventral orbit that extended into the caudal nasal cavity adjacent to the orbit, causing partial physical obstruction of the right nasolacrimal duct. Cytologic analysis of fluid from the lesion was supportive of a diagnosis of a cyst. One percent polidocanol (compounded, People's Custom Rx, Memphis, TN) was injected into the cyst. Results Epiphora was resolved by two weeks post‐injection. Repeated computed tomography with dacryocystography was performed 8 months post‐injection, revealing complete resolution of the cyst and demonstrating mild enophthalmos of the right globe. Conclusions Intralesional 1% polidocanol therapy was successful in resolving a suspected nasolacrimal duct cyst in a dog.