Canine neurogenic Keratoconjunctivitis sicca: 11 cases (2006-2010)

To describe the clinical data of dogs with neurogenic Keratoconjunctivitis sicca (KCS) and an ipsilateral dry nose without other neurologic deficits.

The retrospective case study included 11 dogs diagnosed with neurogenic KCS and an ipsilateral dry nose between 2006 and 2010. Medical records were reviewed for breed, age, sex, history, suspected cause of neurogenic KCS, clinical signs, and treatment modalities. Follow-up information was obtained by re-examination of patients or completion of a telephone survey with the referring veterinarian or the owners.

Mean age of the dogs was 6.6 ± 4.5 years. Neurogenic KCS was diagnosed in three females, five spayed females, one male, and two castrated males representing 10 different breeds. Ophthalmic signs of KCS (mean Schirmer tear test [STT] value of 1.9 ± 2.9 mm/min) combined with an ipsilateral dry nose were diagnosed in seven left and four right eyes. The suspected cause of neurogenic KCS was idiopathic in nine and trauma in two cases. Systemic therapy consisted of oral pilocarpine 1-2% eye drops combined with case-specific topical treatment with cyclosporine 0.2% and tear substitutes. Duration of systemic treatment with pilocarpine until healing was 125 days (range 84-204, median 98 days) for five dogs. One dog was lost to follow-up, and the remaining five dogs are still under systemic treatment with pilocarpine.

Neurogenic KCS with an ipsilateral dry nose seems to be a predominantly idiopathic disease of middle-aged female dogs without breed predisposition, which may be self-limiting in some cases.