A retrospective survey of ocular abnormalities in pugs: 130 cases.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVES: To determine the types and frequency of ophthalmic findings in pugs. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Retrospective analysis of case records of pugs presented to an ophthalmology unit between 2001 and 2012. Ophthalmological findings were correlated with age, gender, presenting signs and time of onset of disease. RESULTS: In total, 130 pugs (258 eyes) with a mean (±sd) age of 2 · 8 (±2 · 87) years were examined. Ocular abnormalities identified included keratoconjunctivitis sicca (n = 39 eyes), macroblepharon (n = 258 eyes), entropion (n = 258 eyes), distichiasis (n = 56 eyes), ectopic cilia (n = 8 eyes), conjunctivitis (n = 88 eyes), corneal pigmentation (n = 101 eyes), opacity (n = 63 eyes), ulceration (n = 46 eyes), vascularisation (n = 35 eyes), iris-to-iris persistent pupillary membranes (n = 21 eyes) and cataract (n = 18). Keratoconjunctivitis sicca was significantly associated with the presence of corneal pigmentation (P = 0 · 007 for left eyes; P = 0 · 043 for right eyes). However corneal pigmentation was also identified in pugs (n = 61) without keratoconjunctivitis sicca. There was a significant influence of ectopic cilia on corneal ulceration (P < 0 · 001). Younger dogs (mean age, 1 · 28 (±0 · 45) years) were significantly more affected by distichiasis. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: The high number of cases of corneal pigmentation without keratoconjunctivitis sicca suggests that there may be additional yet undetermined factors involved in the development of corneal pigmentation in pugs.