Severe, unilateral, unresponsive keratoconjunctivitis sicca in 16 juvenile Yorkshire Terriers.
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.


CONCLUSIONS
Lacrimal gland aplasia or hypoplasia should be considered in young dogs with severe unilateral ocular dryness, especially female Yorkshire Terriers.
Herrera
Héctor Daniel
HD
Ophthalmology Unit, Veterinary Medicine Teaching Hospital, School of Veterinary Sciences, University of Buenos Aires, Argentina. hdh@fvet.uba.ar
Weichsler
Nathalie
N
Gómez
José Rodríguez
JR
de Jalón
José Antonio García
JA
D000818:Animals; D001947:Breeding; D002809:Chondroitin Sulfates / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016572:Cyclosporine / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology*; D004285:Dogs; D005260:Female; D007638:Keratoconjunctivitis Sicca / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology / Q000662:veterinary*; D007765:Lacrimal Apparatus / Q000002:abnormalities*; D008297:Male; D009883:Ophthalmic Solutions / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D012737:Sex Factors; D013666:Tears / Q000378:metabolism*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D009883:Ophthalmic Solutions; D016572:Cyclosporine; D002809:Chondroitin Sulfates