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Journals / Harran Üniversitesi Veteriner Fakültesi Dergisi / 2026 / Volume: 15 Issue: 2

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

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

Yakup Kocaman(YOZGAT BOZOK ÜNİVERSİTESİ)0000-0002-3580-7782
Ferda Turgut(CUKUROVA UNIVERSITY)0000-0003-2956-7548
İrem Suzak Kocaman(ERCIYES UNIVERSITY)0009-0006-7368-8848
Vildan Aslan Canatan(CUKUROVA UNIVERSITY)0000-0001-5323-6891
Muhammed Çağrı Aydeyer(YOZGAT BOZOK UNIVERSITY)0009-0008-4110-8292
Tuğçe Ulusoy(YOZGAT BOZOK UNIVERSITY)0009-0007-8797-3567
Dilara Aslan(YOZGAT BOZOK UNIVERSITY)0009-0006-2848-9292
Pages
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Publication Date
2026-06-26
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AI Summary & Key Takeaways

AI Insight
⚡ TL;DR(Too Long; Didn't Read)

In conclusion, STT-I-defined KCS is highly prevalent in shelter dogs and is closely associated with reduced tear production and ocular surface abnormalities.

📌 3 Key Takeaways

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Objective & Hypothesis:Keratoconjunctivitis sicca (KCS) is a common ocular surface disease often unrecognized in shelter dogs.
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Key Findings & Data:A total of 236 shelter dogs aged ≥1 year were included.
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Conclusion & Impact:In conclusion, STT-I-defined KCS is highly prevalent in shelter dogs and is closely associated with reduced tear production and ocular surface abnormalities.
🔬Design:Research Article
📍Scope:Comprehensive Sample
⚙️Variables:Corneal opacity · dry eye · keratoconjunctivitis sicca

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.

Özet

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.

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Cite This Article

Kocaman, Y., Turgut, F., Kocaman, İ. S., Canatan, V. A., Aydeyer, M. Ç., Ulusoy, T., Aslan, D. (2026). Prevalence of Schirmer Tear Test I-Defined Keratoconjunctivitis Sicca in Shelter Dogs in Yozgat, Central Anatolia. Harran Üniversitesi Veteriner Fakültesi Dergisi, Volume: 15 Issue: 2. https://doi.org/10.31196/huvfd.1911303

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