Assessment of eye disorders in brachycephalic cat breeds - a retrospective study of 328 cases (2018-2022)

Abstract

Excess selective breeding that causes significant changes in the facial structure of brachiocephalic breeds has resulted in potential ophthalmological disorders that put their vision at risk. This study aims to assess the prevalence of ophthalmological disorders in seven cat breeds referred to the Ophthalmology Clinic of the Veterinary Teaching Hospital between January 2018 and January 2022. The medical records of all patients that underwent a complete ophthalmological examination, including patient signalment, clinical signs, routine and complementary ophthalmological test results, diagnosis, frequency, and the dates of visits were closely monitored, and the data were summarized in Microsoft Office Excel 2010®. The mean age at the initial referral was 4.65 years (ranging from 2 months to 14 years). The most prevalent breeds were Persians, British Shorthairs, and Scottish Folds, in descending order, at 35.9% (n=118/328), 27.1% (n=89/328), and 16.1% (n=53/328), respectively. Entropion, conjunctivitis, and corneal necrosis were the most common disorders, each of which was detected in ≥ 100 cats. The lesions’ anatomic localization-wise distribution most frequently involved, in descending order, the conjunctiva, cornea, and eyelid at 42.57% (n=321/754), 25.86% (n=195/754), and 22.14% (n=161/754), respectively. In conclusion, the study aimed to instruct the pet owners and breeders concerning understanding the potential severity of health issues in brachycephalic pet animals, and will undoubtedly contribute to veterinary practitioners’ clinical approach to various eye conditions by determining the most commonly encountered eye disorders in these breeds.