Treatment outcome of spontaneous chronic corneal epithelial defects in brachycephalic dogs comparing Boxers and non-Boxers: A retrospective multicenter study of 420 dogs

Abstract

Objective: To compare characteristics and treatment outcomes of spontaneous chronic corneal epithelial defects (SCCEDs) in brachycephalic non-Boxers and Boxers. We hypothesized that brachycephalic non-Boxers develop SCCEDs at a younger age and develop complications more frequently than Boxers. Animals Studied: Retrospective review of medical records of brachycephalic dogs treated for SCCEDs between January 2018 and December 2022 in multiple ophthalmology referral centers in the UK. Procedure: Data recorded included breed, age, time of onset, treatment prior to referral, treatment at referral, time to heal, need for further procedures, and complications. Results: A total of 464 SCCEDs in 420 dogs were included composed of 173 Boxers with 200 SCCEDs and 247 brachycephalic non-Boxer dogs with 264 SCCEDs. Boxers were significantly older (median 8.2, range 4.5–12.7 years) than brachycephalic non-Boxers (median 7.2, range 1.6–15.9 years) (p