If your dog has been identified as having dry eye, would you understand what dry eye in dogs is? Are you currently concerned that it might be painful and make your dog go blind? Let's dive in to answer all your questions about dry eye in dogs.
What Is Dry Eye in Dogs?
Dry eye in dogs really is keratoconjunctivitis sicca (KCS). Since the name is really a mouthful, veterinarians call it KCS or dry eye for brief, and we'll, too.
Dry eye perfectly describes this ocular condition since the tear ducts either don't make enough tears to lubricate the eye or they make poor quality tears that do not lubricate the attention. It's caused when something impairs the tear glands' ability to create enough lubrication for that eye. Dry eye often is bilateral, meaning it's both in eyes.
Dry eye in dogs is definitely an immune-mediated condition, meaning the pup's defense mechanisms attacks the tear glands. Other causes include viral infections, hypothyroidism and certain medications. Some breeds, such as spaniels, Pugs, some terriers, Shih Tzus, Lhasa Apsos and Bloodhounds, are at increased risk for dry eye.
Signs and Symptoms of Dry Eye in Dogs
When there are no tears to lubricate the attention, the result is a dry, red, goopy eye. Dogs who've dry eye normally have “mucusy” eyes full of “goobers.” The goobers often are thick and may be white, green or yellow in color. Regardless of how often you wipe them away, goobers return.
The dry eye usually is red and looks dry and irritated. Dogs with dry eye may squint and, in severe cases, the eyelids keep to the dry eye, and it develops a leathery, blackened, cobblestone appearance.
Diagnosing Dry Eye in Dogs
In order to diagnose dry eye, the vet will use a simple Schirmer's tear test to determine your canine's capability to make tears. The vet places a small strip of paper just within your dog's eyelid for just one minute. If the dog produces tears, they will wick up the strip. The vet will make use of the hashmarks on the strip to measure how much lubricating fluid the tear glands are producing.
As measured by the Schirmer's tear test, tear production is considered normal if it's 15 millimeters per minute or even more. If your dog is making less than might has red, painful eyes, then dry eye is suspected.
Is Dry Eye Painful?
Dry eye definitely is painful and makes pups miserable. The sensation is similar to whenever we experience eye diseases from allergies or something like that within our eyes. It hurts!
Can My Dog Go Blind from Dry Eye?
Yes, dry eye can produce a dog go blind. Once the cornea (the top of clear area of the eye) is irritated of sufficient length, it starts to deposit melanin within the cornea and switch black. Vets call this corneal melanosis.
A blackened cornea does not let light or visual information in, and dogs with blackened corneas go blind. A blackened cornea is definitely an irreversible condition.
Dry Eye Treatment for Dogs
Treatment of dry eye in dogs needs a three-part approach.
- The eye should be lubricated with eye lube, like Puralube ocular lubricant, multiple times a day.
- A medication formulated to turn back attack around the tear glands must be applied twice daily.
- The underlying reason for dry eye is treated, if at all possible.
Your veterinarian may recommend additional testing if a treatable underlying cause is suspected. The most typical medication prescribed to deal with autoimmune-related dry eye is Optimune. It usually takes weeks to consider effect, so it's critical to keep the dry eye lubricated until the tear glands start functioning again.
Note: Ask your veterinarian concerning the best way to care for dry eye in dogs. Lots of eye lube is used at the start, however, you could possibly dramatically reduce the amount when the tear glands start functioning again. In some instances, you eventually can discontinue eye lubrication altogether.
Each individual dog responds differently to treatment. Some cases don't respond well, and people pups are known a board-certified veterinary ophthalmologist for further care.
To result in the experience more pleasant for the dog, consider pairing medication with something positive, such feeding your dog breakfast after he gets his eye meds, getting a treat after eye meds, and so forth. Additionally you can pair medication time with playtime, if that's a much better fit for your dog.
Most dogs respond well to treatment-their eye gets clear and the goobers disappear. Do not get caught within the trap of stopping the medication once the eyes look better! Dry eye often requires lifelong management, so only stop medications if and when directed by your veterinarian. With proper care, dogs with dry eye can live great lives and also have comfortable, clear eyes which are goober free.
