To evaluate tear production in the common mynah ( Acridotheres tristis ) using the phenol red thread test (PRTT) and to make a comparison of measurements with the PRTT placed in the fornices of lower and upper eyelids, tear production of both eyes in 22 healthy adult captive mynah birds was evaluated. After positioning of threads in the fornices of upper and lower eyelids, the PRTT values of the birds were 17.5 ± 3.1 mm/15 s and 19.2 ± 2.5 mm/15 s, respectively. A significant difference was found between PRTT values for upper eyelids and lower eyelids (P = 0.01). This study provides novel data for normal reference ranges of PRTT values in healthy common mynah birds and shows that a difference is found depending on where the PRTT thread is placed.

Objectives:The purpose of this study was to determine if a circadian rhythm exists in Schirmer's tear test (STT-1) values in a group of healthy adult cats. Animals studied: Twenty adult neutered Domestic Short-haired cats (DSH) were used in the study. Procedures: Tear production was measured with the Schirmer tear test (STT-1) at 12 different time points over a 48-hour period. Results: A significant difference (approximately 4.3 mm/min) was noted between STT-1 values measured between 4 pm (lowest) and 12 am (highest) on both day 1 (P = 0.02) and day 2 (P = 0.01), and substantial variation in STT-1 values was observed at different times during the 48-hour period. Conclusions: Significant variation in mean STT-1 values demonstrates that there is a circadian rhythm in tear production in cats and thus shows the importance of taking the time of day into account when measuring STT-1 in cats. K E Y W O R D Scats, circadian rhythm, diurnal variation, Schirmer's tear test, STT, tear production

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