The Effects of Pregnancy Status on Lacrimal Caruncle Temperature, Intraocular Pressure and Rectal Temperature in Cats: A Preliminary Study.

Publisher: John Wiley & Sons Ltd Country of Publication: England NLM ID: 101678837 Publication Model: Print Cited Medium: Internet ISSN: 2053-1095 (Electronic) Linking ISSN: 20531095 NLM ISO Abbreviation: Vet Med Sci Subsets: MEDLINE

Original Publication: [Oxford] : John Wiley & Sons Ltd., [2015]-

Intraocular Pressure*/physiology ; Body Temperature*/physiology; Animals ; Cats/physiology ; Female ; Pregnancy ; Pregnancy, Animal/physiology ; Lacrimal Apparatus/physiology ; Rectum/physiology

Objective: The objectives of this study were to compare the body temperatures between pregnant and nonpregnant cats from two sites, lacrimal caruncle temperature (LCT) and rectal temperature (RT), and to compare intraocular pressure (IOP) between pregnant and nonpregnant cats.
Animal Studied: This study was performed on 13 pregnant and 16 anoestrous cats.
Procedures: The gestation period of the pregnant cats ranged from 20 to 45 days. A vaginal smear was also performed to determine the sexual cycles of nonpregnant cats. The IOP was measured using a rebound tonometer.
Results: The pregnant cats (38 ± 0.7°C) exhibited a lower RT than the nonpregnant cats (38.5 ± 0.5°C) (p < 0.05). No significant differences existed between the pregnant and nonpregnant groups in the right (R)-LCT or left (L)-LCT (p > 0.05). The average LCT temperature measured 32.30 ± 2.23°C in cats. The right (R)-IOP in pregnant cats (17.69 ± 5.6 mm Hg) was significantly lower than in nonpregnant cats (22.37 ± 5.27 mm Hg) (p < 0.029). Pregnant cats exhibited a significantly lower left (L)-IOP value (17.69 ± 5.76 mm Hg) compared to nonpregnant cats (23.18 ± 5.55 mm Hg) (p < 0.015).
Conclusion: This study presents a preliminary report that documents a noteworthy reduction in RT in pregnant cats (38 ± 0.7°C) as compared to cats in anoestrus. Pregnancy also has an effect on the IOP. It was hypothesised that the hormonal changes induced by pregnancy in cats would have a substantial impact on IOP and RT. Although body temperature can be measured using LCT, RT should still be utilised as the reference measurement site.
(© 2024 The Author(s). Veterinary Medicine and Science published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)

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Keywords: feline; intraocular pressure; lacrimal caruncle temperature; pregnancy; thermal camera

Date Created: 20241017 Date Completed: 20241017 Latest Revision: 20241019

20250114

PMC11485324

10.1002/vms3.70077

39418225