Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Chronic corneal ulcers in dogs - risk factors and treatment results
By Bromberg, Rachel B et al.·Published in Veterinary ophthalmology·2026·William R. Pritchard Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital, United States·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Risk Factors and Treatment Outcomes for Canine Spontaneous Chronic Corneal Epithelial Defects (SCCED): 335 Cases Within a Reference Population.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A 7-year-old Boxer was brought in for eye problems, specifically a chronic corneal issue known as spontaneous chronic corneal epithelial defect (SCCED). This condition is more common in certain breeds, including Boxers, and tends to affect older dogs. The veterinarian treated the dog using a method called cotton applicator debridement combined with diamond burr debridement, which had a higher success rate compared to using cotton applicator debridement alone. After the treatment, the dog's eye condition improved significantly, indicating that the procedure was effective.
People also search for: Boxer eye problems · dog corneal defect treatment · chronic eye issues in dogs
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To retrospectively evaluate the presentation, treatment, and outcome of dogs with spontaneous chronic corneal epithelial defects (SCCED) and to identify risk factors. METHODS: Records of 335 dogs with SCCED at the University of California-Davis Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital were reviewed and compared with 157,362 dogs from the general population within the study period. Data retrieved included signs, diagnoses, treatments, and outcomes associated with SCCED. RESULTS: Boxers (n = 92, O:E = 12.38), Pembroke Welsh Corgis (n = 15, O:E = 5.21), Bulldogs (n = 7, O:E = 4.77), Boston Terriers (n = 15, O:E = 3.64), French Bulldogs (n = 15, O:E = 3.04) and English Bulldogs (n = 12, O:E = 3.03) were significantly overrepresented in the SCCED-affected population compared to the reference population (p < 0.01). Dogs aged 6-10 years and weighing 31-40 kg were significantly overrepresented with SCCED compared to the reference population, whereas dogs aged < 5 years and weighing < 10 kg were significantly underrepresented (p < 0.0005). When Boxers were excluded, dogs 6-15 years of age were significantly overrepresented in SCCED versus the reference population, while dogs < 5 years of age were still significantly underrepresented (p < 0.0001). The success rate (defined as complete healing after procedure) following a single procedure was 49%, 70%, and 66% after cotton applicator debridement (CTA) alone, CTA + diamond burr debridement (DBD), and CTA + grid keratotomy (GK), respectively, and differed significantly between CTA and CTA-DBD (p < 0.02). CONCLUSIONS: Using a large reference population, this study confirms previously suspected breed predispositions to SCCED by adjusting for common breeds across a broader hospital population. In addition, it confirms the previously known age predisposition and that CTA-DBD is a more effective treatment than CTA alone.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40814849/