Distribution of the eye diseases in dogs: A single-center retrospective study from 2021 to 2024

Despite the growing demand for dogs for companionship and security, there is only one report for eye diseases, connected with uveitis in dogs. There are no other surveys for diagnosis of eye diseases, documented in Bulgaria. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the incidence of ophthalmic affections in dogs brought to the University Veterinary Hospital in Trakia University in Stara Zagora over a four-year period (2021–2024). Out of 36,022 clinical cases of dogs with various conditions, ocular pathology was diagnosed in 999 (2.77%) of the examined patients. Eye disorders affected more male than female animals. The dogs in the oldest group, more than 8 years of age, were more frequently affected. From the registered 70 breeds with ophthalmic pathology, the most commonly affected breed was the French Bulldog with a rate of 9.6 %, followed by Yorkshire Terriers (9.4%), Pinschers (8.9%), and mixed breed dogs (6.1%). The most prevalent ocular affection was the cataract (14.5%), followed by cornea ulceration/corneal wound (13.9%), conjunctivitis (10.9%) and keratitis/keratoconjuctivitis (9.6%).