Analysis of tear production in patients with periocular alopecia: a retrospective study between the years 2008 and 2012 at the Veterinary Hospital of the Londrina State University

Abstract

The Keratoconjunctivitis Sicca is a common ophthalmopathy among dogs and can be accompanied by periocular alopecia resulting from the extension of inflammation and concomitant eyelid. In the study, medical records of dogs with keratoconjunctivitis sicca and blepharitis treated at the Veterinary Teaching Hospital of the Londrina State University between the years 2008 and 2012 were analyzed, seeking patients with periocular alopecia and checking the frequency of these diseases in the population in relation to gender, age, breed, affected eye, other concomitant ophthalmic disorders, possible etiologies and the presence of systemic diseases. From the analysis of data it was intended to discuss the relationship between the occurrence of periocular alopecia and decreased tear production and possible causes, ocular present, systemic illnesses, affected breeds, gender and age. The Schirmer Tear Test was the method used to measure the tear production. 187 dogs were studied, 147 of which had keratoconjunctivitis sicca and 71 had blepharitis. 31 dogs showed associated diseases. There were 41 cases of alopecia periocular with no difference in the frequency of involvement in relation to gender. In regard to the affected eye, 95% of cases were bilateral. The breeds with higher prevalence were Poodle, Lhasa Apso, English Cocker Spaniel and mixed breed dogs. The ages with higher occurrence were two years, with 19% of the animals, four and twelve years with 12%. Among the 32 animals with periocular alopecia who had systemic diseases, 22 had dermatopathies. It was concluded that keratoconjunctivitis sicca and blepharitis are not frequently associated and the occurrence of periocular alopecia occurs in most cases of blepharitis, although it may less frequently present itself in the CCS. Despite the decreased tear production displayed in some patients with periocular alopecia, one cannot say that it is always present in these cases.