OBJECTIVE To evaluate the frequency of ophthalmic disorders in 7 brachycephalic dog breeds referred to an academic veterinary ophthalmology service. ANIMALS 970 client-owned dogs of 7 brachycephalic breeds that were evaluated by the ophthalmology service in a veterinary teaching hospital from January 2008 through December 2017. PROCEDURES Medical records of 7 brachycephalic breeds (ie, Boston Terriers, English Bulldogs, French Bulldogs, Lhasa Apsos, Pekingese, Pugs, and Shih Tzus) were reviewed to collect data regarding patient signalment, ophthalmic diagnoses, affected eyes, and number and dates of visits. RESULTS Median age at the first examination was 7 years (range, 23 days to 22 years). The number of dogs seen for a first examination increased with age. Corneal ulcers, keratoconjunctivitis sicca, corneal pigmentation, immature cataracts, and uveitis were each diagnosed in ≥ 100 dogs and represented 40.4% (1,161/2,873) of all diagnoses. On the basis of anatomic location, 66.3% (1,905/2,873) of all disorders were located in either the cornea (1,014/2,873 [35.2%]) or adnexa (891/2,873 [31%]). There was a significant difference in breed proportion in the study population; of the 7 breeds studied, Shih Tzus (34.3% [333/970]), Pugs (20.8% [202/970]), and Boston Terriers (16.6% [161/970]) were the most prevalent breeds. The frequency of some diseases within the referral population was associated with breed. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE Findings suggested that the most prevalent disorders for the brachycephalic breeds in this ophthalmic referral population were corneal ulcers, keratoconjunctivitis sicca, corneal pigmentation, immature cataracts, and uveitis. Although all dogs shared brachycephalic features, the frequency of specific ophthalmic diseases varied between breeds.

Objective To evaluate whether the method of fluorescein administration affects the results of tear film breakup time (TFBUT) measurement in normal dogs. Animals studied Thirty‐seven client and hospital staff owned dogs over 1 year of age with no known comorbidities or administration of systemic or topical ophthalmic medications. Procedures A prospective randomized three‐way crossover study was conducted. All dogs received an abbreviated ophthalmic examination to rule out ocular surface disease. Using a 30‐min washout interval period, each dog's right eye was received: (a) direct application of fluorescein stain strip with one drop of sterile eyewash, (b) direct application of fluorescein stain strip with two drops of sterile eyewash, or (c) application of one drop from a premade fluorescein solution (dilution of one strip in 0.3 mL sterile eyewash). Eyes were assessed using the cobalt blue filter of a slit lamp biomicroscope. TFBUT measurements were summarized as means ± standard deviation. The methods were compared using mixed model analysis of variance. All analyses were performed using sas version 9.4. Results Thirty‐seven dogs met the inclusion criteria. Mean TFBUT ± standard deviation (SD) for the three described methods were: (a) 16.58s ± 6.9, (b) 15.98s ± 7.1, and (c) 16.43s ± 8.1. No differences between fluorescein stain application techniques were observed (p = .92). Conclusion The technique of fluorescein solution administration did not affect TFBUT measurement in this population of healthy dogs.

Objective To describe clinical and histopathologic pre‐operative diagnoses as well as associated post‐operative complications following orbital silicone implantation in dogs undergoing enucleation and evaluate owner satisfaction. Animals studied One hundred and eighty‐six dogs who underwent enucleation with orbital implant. Procedures Medical records from dogs that underwent enucleation with orbital implant performed at Virginia‐Maryland Veterinary Teaching Hospital between 2007 and 2019 were reviewed. Owners were surveyed via telephone regarding client satisfaction. Results Enucleation followed by orbital implant placement occurred in 215 eyes of 186 dogs. The most common pre‐operative diagnoses were glaucoma (68.8%), uveitis (17.7%), cataracts (15.8%), intraocular neoplasia (13.0%), and lens luxation (10.7%). The most common histopathologic diagnoses were retinal degeneration (46.5%), uveitis (39.5%), cataract (29.8%), retinal detachment (27.4%), and secondary glaucoma (26.5%). Fourteen eyes (6.5%) from ten dogs had post‐operative complications reported including orbit cellulitis (n = 11), implant migration (n = 1), and implant extrusion (n = 1). Five of these dogs (50%) had concurrent diabetes mellitus. Median complication time from surgery was 41 days (range: 11–541 days). Ninety‐five owner survey responses were completed with a median time of 6.3 years following surgery. Most owners, 85.3% (n = 81), were satisfied with the post‐operative outcome. Conclusion Enucleation with implantation of an orbital implant is a viable and safe method for irreversibly blind eyes. Diabetes mellitus may be a risk factor for the development of post‐operative complications. Intraocular neoplasia was not associated with development of post‐operative complications. Results of this study indicated high owner satisfaction rates for improving cosmetic appearance after enucleation in dogs.