Studies on keratoconjunctivitis sicca incidence in crossbred dogs

The present study was aimed at determination of keratoconjunctivitis sicca occurrence in crossbred dogs. The investigations covered 36 mongrel dogs with keratoconjunctivitis sicca recognized by the ophthalmic examination. Patients' age and sex was established. The ophthalmic evaluation protocol included: the conjunctiva examination (humidity, redness, discharge), the corneal examination (transparency, vessel ingrowth, pigmentation, defects), Schirmer tear test. The highest incidence among the crossbred dogs was reported between 6 and 9 year of age, males accounted for 64% of cases. In a clinical study involving 61 corneas, 10 appeared to be completely opaque. The pigmentation occured in 75% of corneas. The corneal defects were found in 50% of cases. A 10-15 mm/min Schirmer test was established in 29% while 0-5 mm/min in 28% of cases.