OBJECTIVES

Canine keratoconjunctivitis sicca (KCS) is a common ocular disease characterized by a variable diminution of the aqueous layer of the precorneal tear film, resulting in desiccation and inflammation of the conjunctiva and cornea. Ocular pain and pigmentary keratitis are usually present depending on the stage of the disease, but the main clinical sign is the presence of mucoid ocular discharge. The purpose of this paper is to communicate eleven cases of severe and unilateral KCS in young Yorkshire Terriers since this is not a usual presentation of the disease.

MATERIALS

Eleven cases of severe and unilateral keratoconjunctivitis sicca in young Yorkshire Terriers are presented. All of them showed extreme dryness in one eye associated with blepharospasm, mucoid discharge, and corneal vascularization. Age ranged from 5-month-old to 3-years-old and the mean of Schirmer tear test (STT) on the affected eyes was 1,27 mm/min. Eight patients were initially treated with 0.2% cyclosporine ophthalmic ointment three times daily during 30 days. A 20% chondroitin sulfate ophthalmic solution two times daily, was used as initial treatment in the 3 other cases.

RESULTS

None of the cyclosporine treated eyes showed improvement in their STT values at the second revisit examination, even though, some of them decreased the amount of tears. Just a mild improvement of mucus and blepharospasm was observed on these eyes. Eyes on chondroitin sulfate showed improvement of the ocular discomfort maintaining them opened. After different periods of control in each case, none of the affected eyes showed improvement in their STT values, but most of them are clinically better than the first visit using only 20% chondroitin sulfate ophthalmic solution.

CONCLUSION

Clinical signs, age of presentation, severity, and no response to treatment resembled these cases as a breed related unilateral aplasia or hypoplasia of the lacrimal gland.