Premium
Severe, unilateral, unresponsive keratoconjunctivitis sicca in 16 juvenile Yorkshire Terriers
Author(s) -
Herrera Héctor Daniel,
Weichsler Nathalie,
Gómez José Rodríguez,
De Jalón José Antonio García
Publication year - 2007
Publication title -
veterinary ophthalmology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.594
H-Index - 50
eISSN - 1463-5224
pISSN - 1463-5216
DOI - 10.1111/j.1463-5224.2007.00551.x
Subject(s) - medicine , keratoconjunctivitis sicca , hypoplasia , blepharospasm , lacrimal gland , aplasia , xerophthalmia , physical examination , cornea , surgery , ophthalmology , botulinum toxin , pathology , vitamin a deficiency , retinol , vitamin
Objective To present ophthalmic findings, clinical data, and treatment outcomes of 16 juvenile Yorkshire Terriers with severe unilateral keratoconjunctivitis sicca. Results Each of the 16 dogs exhibited extreme unilateral dryness associated with blepharospasm, mucoid discharge, and corneal vascularization. Ages of affected dogs at presentation ranged from 5 months to 4 years. Mean Schirmer tear test (STT) result for affected eyes was 1 mm/min. Topical application of 0.2% cyclosporine to the affected eye was not associated with improvement in STT values in any dog. Clinical signs subjectively improved with topical application of 20% chondroitin sulfate ophthalmic solution in some dogs, and transposition of the parotid duct was performed in three dogs. Histopathologic examination in one dog failed to show evidence of orbital lacrimal gland tissue. Clinical signs, age of presentation, disease severity, and lack of response to treatment are consistent with breed‐related unilateral aplasia or hypoplasia of the lacrimal gland. Conclusion Lacrimal gland aplasia or hypoplasia should be considered in young dogs with severe unilateral ocular dryness, especially female Yorkshire Terriers.