Ocular dermoids in dogs: A retrospective study.

OBJECTIVE: To describe clinical features of dogs diagnosed with ocular dermoids at two veterinary teaching hospitals.

ANIMALS STUDIED: Retrospective case series of 44 dogs (49 dermoids) with ocular dermoids.

PROCEDURES: Medical records of dogs evaluated by the Cornell University and University of Pennsylvania ophthalmology services were evaluated to identify dogs with a clinical diagnosis of ocular dermoids between 2004 and 2018, and 2011 and 2018, respectively. Signalment, historical, and clinical details were recorded, including dermoid location, concurrent diseases, treatment, histopathologic findings, and outcome.

RESULTS: A total of 49 ocular dermoids, involving 47 eyes, were diagnosed in 44 dogs. The mean ( standard deviation) age of the study population at the time of diagnosis was 1.19 years (1.85 years). Of the 44 dogs evaluated, 28 (63.6%) were male and 30 (68.2%) were intact at time of diagnosis. Twenty-two different breeds were represented in the study, with mixed breed, French Bulldog, and Shih Tzu being the most common. Twenty-two dermoids were categorized as limbal (44.9%), 14 as eyelid (28.6%), eight as corneal (16.3%), and five as conjunctival (10.2%). Concurrent ocular findings were noted in 29 of the 47 eyes (61.7%), including corneal pigmentation, epiphora, and conjunctival hyperemia. Nine dogs (20.5%) suffered from concurrent systemic disease, with the majority being cardiac in origin. A total of 34 dermoids (69.4%) were surgically excised with no recurrences.

CONCLUSIONS: Ocular dermoids are an uncommon condition in dogs. Concurrent congenital cardiac disease was relatively common in the dogs of this study. Surgical excision of dermoids was curative.