ObjectiveTo investigate meibomian gland (MG) morphology by noncontact infrared meibography in Shih Tzu dogs with or without keratoconjunctivitis sicca (KCS).ProceduresFourteen eyes of 12 Shih Tzu dogs (mean age of 10.7 years, range of 7‐13 years) presented to Yakumo Animal Hospital or Triangle Animal Eye Clinic from 2011 to 2017 with clinical signs and a Schirmer tear test (STT) result consistent with KCS (<10 mm/min) were examined. Twenty‐eight eyes of 16 Shih Tzu dogs (mean age of 12.4 years, range of 8 to 15 years) with a STT > 15 mm/min served as healthy controls. Both groups of dogs underwent routine slitlamp biomicroscopy followed by noncontact infrared meibography of the upper eyelid with both desktop‐type and mobile‐type systems.ResultsMeibography revealed morphological abnormalities of MGs in 13 eyes of 11 dogs with KCS. The abnormalities included gland shortening in 64% and gland dropout in 64% of the 14 eyes in the KCS group. Morphological changes were also observed in MGs of 16 eyes of 10 dogs in the control group. These changes included shortening in 46% and dropout in 17.8% of the 28 eyes in the control group. Dropout was significantly more common in eyes with KCS than in control eyes (P < 0.01).ConclusionsThe frequency of MG abnormalities is increased in Shih Tzus with KCS compared with control animals. A reduced quality of the tear film associated with increased evaporation and reduced retention of tear fluid likely exacerbates the effects of a reduced tear volume in animals with aqueous deficiency.

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PurposeTo perform histopathologic analysis of tissue manifesting meibomian gland dropout on noncontact infrared meibography in a dog.MethodsA 14‐year‐old intact male Cairn terrier was evaluated at Triangle Animal Eye Clinic for dense corneal opacity of the right eye. A complete ocular examination was performed, including slit‐lamp biomicroscopy, tonometry, and noncontact meibography. Pigmentary glaucoma with elevation of intraocular pressure was diagnosed, and meibography revealed morphological changes suggestive of gland dropout in the middle of the upper right eyelid.ResultsThe globe was enucleated by the transpalpebral method, and palpebral tissue was subjected to histopathologic analysis. The analysis revealed an almost complete loss of meibomian gland structure accompanied by slight enlargement and proliferation of fibroblasts as well as by infiltration of plasma cells and lymphocytes.ConclusionsMeibomian gland dropout as detected by meibography can be associated with chronic inflammation.

Objective To compare the superficial punctate fluorescein staining in dogs with and without aqueous tear deficiency. Procedures An eye from each client‐owned dogs presented to Triangle Animal Eye Clinic between January and December 2018 underwent tear and ocular surface tests, which included the Schirmer tear test (STT), phenol red thread test (PRT), and strip meniscometry tube tear test (SMT). Punctate fluorescein staining of the cornea (PFS‐C) and the upper palpebral conjunctiva (PFS‐UPC) were also performed. Fifty‐seven dogs with STT results of <15 mm/min had aqueous tear deficiency (AD); 31 dogs had <10 mm/min and 26 dogs had ≥10 mm/min. The 162 dogs with STT results of ≥15 mm/min did not have AD. The test results of the groups were compared using Kruskal‐Wallis and Steel‐Dwass multiple comparison tests. Results Two hundred and nineteen eyes from 219 dogs were enrolled in this study. The PRT and SMT results, presented as mean ± SD, were significantly lower in the AD group than in the non‐AD group (PRT: 29.5 ± 8.1 vs 36.9 ± 5.6 mm/15 s; SMT: 6.2 ± 3.8 vs 10.8 ± 2.8 mm/5 s). The PFS scores were significantly higher in the AD group than in the non‐AD group (PFS‐C: 4.4 ± 0.7 and 3.7 ± 0.8; PFS‐UPC: 2.3 ± 0.5 and 1.7 ± 0.5). Conclusions These results suggest that aqueous tear deficiency is not only reflected by PRT and SMT but also PFS‐C and PFS‐UPC.