Oral non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs do not delay corneal healing in dogs with spontaneous chronic corneal epithelial defects: A retrospective cohort of 186 ulcers

Background: Oral non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are commonly used for analgesia in dogs with spontaneous chronic corneal epithelial defects (SCCEDs). Topical NSAIDs can delay epithelialisation and promote stromal melting, but the safety of systemic NSAIDs in SCCEDs is unknown. Methods: Medical records of dogs with SCCEDs (2018–2024) were reviewed. Affected eyes were grouped by systemic therapy at presentation: oral NSAIDs versus no oral NSAIDs. All cases underwent a corneal debridement procedure. The primary outcome was time to corneal re-epithelialisation; secondary outcomes were number of procedures needed for healing and complications (stromal melting, descemetocoele, perforation). Results: A total of 186 SCCEDs in 170 dogs met inclusion criteria; 136 were treated with an oral NSAID and 50 without. The median ± standard error healing time was 15 ± 1.0 days (range: 6–74) for the NSAID group and 15 ± 1.5 days (range: 6–49) for the no-NSAID group (p = 0.638). The median number of procedures required before healing was one (range: 1–3) in both the NSAID and no-NSAID groups (p = 0.210). No cases developed stromal melting, descemetocoele or perforation. Limitations: The retrospective, non-randomised design limits the wider generalisability of the findings. Conclusion: Short-term oral NSAID therapy did not delay epithelial healing or increase complications, supporting their safe use in dogs with SCCEDs.