The Caloric Test in the Cat

Abstract

A simple device for fixing both head and body of the cat was designed so that the nystagmic reaction to caloric stimulation could be investigated. Nystagmographie tracings of both ordinary and derived nystagmus were obtained being relatively free of artifacts induced by movements. In order to produce a caloric reaction in the cat, it was necessary to set the temperature of the irrigating water to, at least, 10°C either below or above the rectal temperature (38°C). Repetitive caloric stimulation with both cold and hot water was conducted under various conditions and the results were described for each. The data suggested the most appropriate way for obtaining reliable results with the caloric test in the cat.