Does owner presence affect healing of dog corneal ulcers

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To examine the effect of client presence on healing rates of spontaneous chronic corneal epithelial defect (SCCEDs) following debridement and anterior stromal puncture (ASP). ANIMALS STUDIED: Sixty-eight client-owned dogs. PROCEDURES: Dogs presenting prior to the COVID-19 shutdown were assigned to the C group (client in the room, 31/68), while dogs presenting after were assigned to group NC (no client in the room, 37/68). Inclusion criteria were retention of fluorescein, non-adherent epithelium, persistence for at least 1 week, and recheck within 1 month. Exclusion criteria were concurrent ocular disorders and endocrinopathies. Success was defined as negative fluorescein retention at first recheck. t-Tests, rank-sum tests, and chi-squared or Fisher's exact tests were used to compare findings between groups. Logistic regression was used to determine whether odds of success at first recheck differed between groups or were modified by other characteristics. RESULTS: Dogs in the NC group were older (9.9 vs. 8.7 years, p = .014) and had more bandage contact lenses (BCLs) placed (65% vs. 29%, p = .003). There were no other significant differences between groups. BCL placement was associated with significantly greater odds of healing by first recheck (OR = 4.00, 95% CI: 0.63-11.2; p = .008). The NC group initially had 2.5 times greater odds of healing than the C group; after adjusting for BCL placement, the association between client location and healing weakened (aOR = 1.80, 95% CI: 0.63-5.13; p = .277). CONCLUSIONS: Healing was marginally associated with not having the client in the room, likely due to increased BCL use. BCL application improves SCCED healing rates following debridement/ASP.