YOZGAT’DAKİ XXX’TA BARINAK KÖPEKLERİNDE KERATOKONJONKTIVITIS SICCA’NIN YAYGINLIĞI

Abstract

Keratokonjonktivit sikka (KCS), barınak köpeklerinde sıklıkla fark edilmeyen yaygın bir göz yüzeyi hastalığıdır. Bu çalışmanın amacı, gözyaşı üretimini, KCS prevalansını ve oftalmolojik ve demografik değişkenlerle olan ilişkilerini belirlemekti. Çalışmaya 1 yaş ve üzeri 236 barınak köpeği dahil edildi. Sağ gözün oftalmik değerlendirmeleri arasında makroskopik muayene, Schirmer gözyaşı testi I (STT-I), floresan boyama ve kornea opasitesi skoru yer almıştır. KCS, şiddetli gözyaşı eksikliği (STT-I ≤5 mm/dk) olarak tanımlanmıştır. KCS ile yaş, cinsiyet, floresan boyama ve kornea opasitesi arasındaki ilişkiler istatistiksel olarak analiz edilmiştir. 56 köpekte şiddetli KCS saptanmış olup, bu da %23,7 prevalansa işaret etmektedir. STT-I sınıflandırmalarına göre, köpeklerin %13,6'sında normal gözyaşı üretimi, %21,2'sinde hafif, %41,5'inde orta ve %23,7'sinde şiddetli eksiklik saptanmıştır. Ortalama yaş 4,04 ± 1,67 yıl ve ortalama STT-I değeri 8,97 ± 4,18 mm/dk idi. KCS, yaş veya cinsiyetle anlamlı bir korelasyon göstermezken (p>0,05), floresan alımıyla anlamlı bir korelasyon gösterdi (p<0,001). STT-I değerleri ile hem kornea opasite skoru hem de floresan alımı arasında anlamlı negatif korelasyonlar gözlendi (ρ=-0,413, ρ=-0,425, p<0,001). Yaş ile STT-I puanları arasında negatif bir korelasyon da saptandı (B=−0,415, p=0,011). Ayrıca, kornea opasitesi skoru KCS'nin bağımsız bir öngörücüsü olarak ortaya çıkmıştır (OR=11,28, p=0,001). Sonuç olarak, KCS barınak köpeklerinde oldukça yaygındır ve gözyaşı üretiminin azalması ve göz yüzeyi anormallikleri, özellikle de kornea opasitesi ile yakından ilişkilidir. Bu bulgular, etkilenen köpeklerin erken tanı ve tedavisi için barınak uygulamalarında rutin oftalmik taramanın önemini vurgulamaktadır.

Keywords

• Barınak Köpekleri
• Schirmer gözyaşı testi
• Korneal opasite
• Keratokonjonktivitis sicca
• Kuru göz

Ethical Statement

Çalışma, Yozgat Bozok Üniversitesi Yerel Etik Kurulu tarafından onaylanmıştır (karar no. 3, 2/2026, 11.03.2026).

Thanks

Yazarlar, kurumsal desteği için Yozgat Bozok Üniversitesi’ne ve veri toplama sürecinde gösterdikleri işbirliği ve yardımları için Yozgat Belediyesi Geçici Hayvan Barınağı çalışanlarına teşekkür eder.

Prevalence of Schirmer Tear Test I-Defined Keratoconjunctivitis Sicca in Shelter Dogs in Yozgat, Central Anatolia

Abstract

Keratoconjunctivitis sicca (KCS) is a common ocular surface disease often unrecognized in shelter dogs. This study aimed to determine tear production, the prevalence of STT-I-defined KCS, and its associations with ophthalmological and demographic variables. A total of 236 shelter dogs aged ≥1 year were included. Ophthalmic assessment of the right eye included macroscopic examination, Schirmer tear test I (STT-I), fluorescein staining, and corneal opacity scoring. KCS was defined based solely on STT-I values (≤5 mm/min) without comprehensive clinical confirmation and is therefore referred to as STT-I-defined KCS. STT-I-defined KCS was identified in 56 dogs, corresponding to a prevalence of 23.7% based solely on STT-I classification. According to STT-I classification, 13.6% of dogs had normal tear production, while 21.2%, 41.5%, and 23.7% showed mild, moderate, and severe reduction, respectively. The mean age was 4.04 ± 1.67 years, and the mean STT-I value was 8.97 ± 4.18 mm/min. STT-I-defined KCS was not significantly associated with age or sex (p>0.05) but was significantly associated with fluorescein uptake (p<0.001). STT-I values showed significant negative correlations with both corneal opacity score and fluorescein uptake (ρ=-0.413, ρ=-0.425; p<0.001). Age was also negatively associated with STT-I values (B=−0.415, p=0.011). Corneal opacity score emerged as an independent predictor of STT-I-defined KCS (OR=11.28, p=0.001). In conclusion, STT-I-defined KCS is highly prevalent in shelter dogs and is closely associated with reduced tear production and ocular surface abnormalities.

Keywords

• Corneal opacity
• dry eye
• keratoconjunctivitis sicca
• schirmer tear test
• shelter dogs

Ethical Statement

The study was approved by the Local Ethics Committee of Yozgat Bozok University (decision no. 3, 2/2026, 11.03.2026).

Thanks

The authors would like to thank Yozgat Bozok University for its institutional support and the staff of the Yozgat Municipality Temporary Animal Shelter for their cooperation and assistance during the data collection process.

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