Diagnosis of ocular problems encountered in brachiocephalic cat and dog breeds brought to our clinic

M. Sc. THESIS DIAGNOSIS OF OCULAR PROBLEMS ENCOUNTERED IN BRACHIOCEPHALIC CAT AND DOG BREEDS BROUGHT TO OUR CLINIC Edanur DEMİRKOLLU Aksaray University Graduate School of Health Sciences Department of Veterinary Surgery Supervisor Assoc. Prof. Dr. Deva Başak BOZTOK ÖZGERMEN ABSTRACT Brachycephalic breeds are more prone to various ocular diseases than other breeds due to their different skull shapes and facial anatomy. This study aimed to diagnose and calculate the prevalence of ocular problems seen in brachiocephalic breed cats and dogs of various ages and sexes brought to Aksaray University Veterinary Faculty Animal Hospital Surgery Clinic between December 2022 and May 2024. The material of this study consisted of 30 brachiocephalic cats and 10 dogs. All cases underwent physical examination, ophthalmologic examination, Schirmer tear test, tear breakup time measurement, and corneal fluorescein staining. The most common ocular diseases in dogs were keratoconjunctivitis sicca (n=5), corneal ulcer (n=5), bacterial conjunctivitis (n=3), trichiasis (n=2), proptosis (n=2), allergic conjunctivitis (n=1) and entropion (n=1). The most common ocular diseases in cats were; bacterial conjunctivitis (n=19), corneal ulcer (n=10), corneal sequester (n=8), uveitis (n=5), entropion (n=3), allergic conjunctivitis (n=1), trichiasis (n=1), distichiasis (n=1), corneal laceration (n=1), glaucoma (n=1) and lens luxation (n=1). As a result of the data obtained, there was a negative, moderately strong, and statistically significant relationship between age and Schirmer measurements in dogs. In contrast, no significant relationship was found between these two parameters in cats. A positive, quite strong, statistically significant relationship was found between fluorescein breakup time and Schirmer measurements in dogs. A positive, moderately strong, and statistically significant relationship was found between these two parameters in cats. As a result, it was concluded that brachiocephalic cat and dog breeds are more prone to ocular diseases than other breeds due to their anatomical features; therefore, periodic ophthalmological examinations will contribute to the early diagnosis and effective treatment of any disease that may occur. Keywords: Brachycephalic, cat, dog, eye, ocular disease June, 2024; 77 pages