Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Meibomian gland changes in Shih Tzu dogs with dry eye disease
By Kitamura, Yasunari et al.·Published in Veterinary ophthalmology·2019·Yakumo Animal Hospital, Japan·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Assessment of meibomian gland morphology by noncontact infrared meibography in Shih Tzu dogs with or without keratoconjunctivitis sicca.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A 10-year-old Shih Tzu was examined for eye problems related to keratoconjunctivitis sicca (KCS), which is a condition causing dry eyes. The vet found that the dog's meibomian glands, which help produce tears, showed significant abnormalities, including gland shortening and dropout. These issues were more severe in the dog with KCS compared to healthy dogs. The findings suggest that the dog's dry eyes could be worsened by these gland problems, leading to more discomfort. Treatment options for KCS often include medications to increase tear production and improve eye moisture.
People also search for: Shih Tzu dry eyes treatment · keratoconjunctivitis sicca in dogs · meibomian gland problems in dogs
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To investigate meibomian gland (MG) morphology by noncontact infrared meibography in Shih Tzu dogs with or without keratoconjunctivitis sicca (KCS). PROCEDURES: Fourteen eyes of 12 Shih Tzu dogs (mean age of 10.7 years, range of 7-13 years) presented to Yakumo Animal Hospital or Triangle Animal Eye Clinic from 2011 to 2017 with clinical signs and a Schirmer tear test (STT) result consistent with KCS (<10 mm/min) were examined. Twenty-eight eyes of 16 Shih Tzu dogs (mean age of 12.4 years, range of 8 to 15 years) with a STT > 15 mm/min served as healthy controls. Both groups of dogs underwent routine slitlamp biomicroscopy followed by noncontact infrared meibography of the upper eyelid with both desktop-type and mobile-type systems. Results Meibography revealed morphological abnormalities of MGs in 13 eyes of 11 dogs with KCS. The abnormalities included gland shortening in 64% and gland dropout in 64% of the 14 eyes in the KCS group. Morphological changes were also observed in MGs of 16 eyes of 10 dogs in the control group. These changes included shortening in 46% and dropout in 17.8% of the 28 eyes in the control group. Dropout was significantly more common in eyes with KCS than in control eyes (P < 0.01). Conclusions The frequency of MG abnormalities is increased in Shih Tzus with KCS compared with control animals. A reduced quality of the tear film associated with increased evaporation and reduced retention of tear fluid likely exacerbates the effects of a reduced tear volume in animals with aqueous deficiency.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30715776/