Prevalencia de patologías de tercer párpado o membrana nictitante en Canis lupus familiaris diagnosticados en dos clínicas veterinarias de la ciudad de Guayaquil.

Abstract

The third eyelid in dogs, also known as the nictitating membrane, is a membranous structure located in the inner corner of the eye, performing crucial functions in eye protection and lubrication. Despite its importance, it can be affected by various pathologies, including prolapse, follicular conjunctivitis, among others. This observational, descriptive, and correlational study aims to determine the prevalence of third eyelid pathologies in canines diagnosed in two veterinary clinics in Guayaquil. The sample included 270 canines treated in these clinics, who underwent thorough clinical and ophthalmological examinations. Subsequently, information on pathologies and variables such as age, sex, ownership, and breed was collected. The prevalence result showed that out of the 100 % of the study population, 37 % presented third eyelid pathologies. Chi-square analysis and the SPSS program were used to obtain a detailed statistical analysis. The results revealed that the sex variable did not contribute significantly to the observed variability in the presence of ophthalmic pathologies. Prolapse of the third eyelid stood out as the most frequent pathology, regarding age, the over 6 years group showed the highest percentage.