Neurogenic keratoconjunctivitis sicca in 34 dogs: A case series

To describe the clinical findings, imaging features, underlying conditions, treatment, and progression of dogs presented between 2010 and 2019 with neurogenic keratoconjunctivitis sicca (NKCS).

Dogs diagnosed with NKCS were searched in the clinical database. Inclusion criteria were STT-1 readings <15 mm/min, clinical signs of KCS with concurrent ipsilateral xeromycteria.

Thirty-four cases were identified. Mean age at presentation was 8.2 years, median 8.9 years (0.3-14.7). Twenty dogs were male, and 14 dogs were female. Concurrent neurological deficits included facial neuropathy (n = 13, 38%), peripheral vestibular syndrome (n = 10, 29%), and Horner's syndrome (n = 5, 15%). Advanced imaging was acquired in 53% of cases (n = 18). Etiologies included idiopathic (n = 18, 53%), endocrinopathy (n = 6, 18%), otitis interna (n = 4, 12%), head trauma (n = 3, 9%), iatrogenic (post-TECA-LBO, n = 1, 3%), brainstem mass (n = 1, 3%), and an area of inflammation in the pterygopalatine fossa (n = 1, 3%). Treatment for NKCS was initiated in most cases (n = 30, 88%) including: oral pilocarpine 2% and lacrimostimulant (n = 19), oral pilocarpine 2% only (n = 3), or lacrimostimulant only (n = 8). A mean time follow-up of 3.7 months, median 3 months (1-14) was available in 23 cases (68%). Eleven cases with follow-up were responsive (48%) with resolution of the clinical signs in a median time 4 months (1-10), and all of them were treated with oral pilocarpine (±lacrimostimulant).

Most cases presented as idiopathic NKCS; in others, an underlying cause of facial neuropathy was identified. All responsive cases were treated with oral pilocarpine 2%.