Ocorrência de opacidades corneanas (Florida spots) em gatos atendidos no Hospital de Clínicas Veterinárias da UFRGS

Florida Spots is a type of corneal opacity of dogs and cats that was primarily described in cats in South Florida, USA. Although the etiology of this disorder remains unknown, microorganisms (fungi and bacteria) and preconditioning by environmental physical stimuli such as ultraviolet light have been suggested, but yet to be proved, as causal factors of this pathology. The aim of this study was to describe the occurrence of Florida Spots in cats referred to the Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital at UFRGS, Porto Alegre, RS and its relationship with sex, age, breed and environment (contact with others cats). One hundred randomly chosen cats admitted to the hospital during the year of 2001 were examined for this study. Symptoms for Florida Spots were detected in 32 % of the cats, from which 44 % were affected unilaterally (43 % and 57% on the on the left and right eyes, respectively). Breed and environment had a significant effect on the prevalence of the condition (P<0.005), with crossed cats and animals normally raised outdoors, which allows direct contact with other cats, being the most affected animals. Such breed and environmental effects suggest the existence of a primary microorganism involvement in the appearance of this pathological condition.