One of the diseases that most affects the dog's eye, without a doubt, is dry eye syndrome This diagnosis can come to surprise the owner, since it is very common in humans, but you must take it into account in your pet, since it significantly reduces its quality of life.
Changes in the general appearance of the eyeball warrant taking your pet to the vet as soon as possible. For this reason, in this article on our site, we will comment on the causes, symptoms and treatment of canine keratoconjunctivitis sicca (QSC), popularly called “dry eye syndrome”.
Dry eye syndrome in dogs - Symptoms
The signs and symptoms associated with this pathology in dogs are quite characteristic, however, some symptoms are not specific, since other eye pathologies can also cause them. The main symptoms of dry eye in dogs are as follows:
- Redness: due to the secretion deficit, we can notice that the eyeball, and even the conjunctiva, can turn red, especially since a certain mucus accumulates to counteract the lack of humidity.
- Burning and itching: you can notice how the animal constantly tries to scratch itself, thus contributing to the redness mentioned above. In some cases, the stress can be such that the animal seeks to alleviate the itching with its hands and even with the walls.
- Cumulus of mucus: this accumulation of mucus appears to try to alleviate the lack of moisture and favor the care of the eyeball. It can appear in one or both eyes (unilateral or bilateral).
- Constant blinking: because this pathology is caused by a defect in the lacrimal gland, the animal constantly blinks, seeking to moisten the eyeball.
Although these signs and symptoms can be presented with some other pathology, when they are seen together, the probabilities that it is QSC are quite high. However, we should not confuse cherry eye in dogs with dry eye. If your dog has red eyes, we recommend you read this other article on Cherry eye in dogs - Symptoms, causes and treatment.
Causes of dry eye in dogs
Keratoconjunctivitis sicca, or dry eye syndrome, develops due to the absence in the liquid secretion of the lacrimal gland Some authors describe that the mucous secretion of said gland could also be affected. The syndrome ends up gestating when the cells of the cornea become dysfunctional due to hypoxia that they suffer from this incorrect tear secretion.
The causes for this condition to be triggered are very varied, and below we will name the most common:
- Autoimmune disorder: This is the cause that has been most reported as being responsible for this pathology. An autoimmune reaction of unknown origin ends up injuring the lacrimal gland and by developing connective tissue in its place, secretion is compromised and the clinical picture is triggered.
- Genetic Disposition: Certain breeds of dogs have been shown to have a predisposition to canine keratoconjunctivitis sicca. The Bulldog (French and English), the Pekingese, the Yorkshire and the Cocker, have been described as sensitive breeds to this syndrome, however, it can affect any breed.
- Iatrogenic: This term refers to an injury caused by medical care. Some medications, when used improperly, cause harm to a patient's he alth. Dry eye syndrome can also be caused by some antibiotics, eye drops or chemical substances that have been irresponsibly applied to the dog.
- Virus: some viral infections leave consequences in our dogs. In the case of dry eye syndrome, the virus associated with long-term damage to the cornea is the canine distemper virus.
- Age: Age is a major factor causing many conditions in both humans and our pets. With the aging of the cells, the loss of the correct function of the lacrimal gland can be accompanied, and therefore, the development of dry eye syndrome.
For more information, you can consult this other article on our site on Eye Diseases in Dogs.
How to cure dry eye in dogs – Treatment
The treatment of dry eye disease in dogs depends directly on what caused it. Many times it is convenient to correct the origin of the disease in order to shape its course. After diagnosing that the syndrome is caused by an autoimmune reaction, it is normal for the veterinarian to use immunomodulators These substances inhibit the action of the lymphocytes responsible for the damage to the lacrimal gland, thus correcting the failure in secretion. There are many ways that immunomodulators can be administered, and they are as follows:
- Eye drops: Among the medications for dry eye in dogs, there are a variety of eye drops and eye drops that contain immunomodulators that can be very effective in treating QSC.
- Dry eye operation in dogs: It is an option to use the operating room if the situation warrants it. Episceral implants of immunomodulators have had favorable results in veterinary clinics and in recent studies. Lacrimal puncta occlusion is also performed as surgical therapy, although this technique can be used without medicating immunomodulators.
- Drugs: in addition to using immunomodulators, drugs that help alleviate the multiple symptoms of this pathology should be used, thus improving the quality of your puppy's lifeThe use of antibiotics is indicated both in eye drops and orally.
- Mucolytics: in cases of excessive lagañas, mucolytics should be used, and we must not forget for any reason, to add tears to the treatment artificial, which are the ones that, in a certain way, will really improve the problem while the origin is corrected.
- Stem Cell Treatment: In recent years, stem cell treatments have made their way into modern medicine. In this case, using mesenchymal stem cells can bring positive results for the improvement of the patient.
Can artificial tears for human use be used?
Any medication you administer to your dog must be indicated for dogs. It is not recommended to use presentations indicated for another species, unless, in extreme cases, the veterinary doctor. decides.
Are there home remedies for dry eye disease in dogs?
It is strictly recommended to take your pet to the vet when you notice something different about him. Homemade substances are often used that aggravate the problem or prohibited drugs for dogs, which put your pet's he alth at risk. On our site, we defend the idea that the diagnosis and treatment of a pathology should be carried out by your veterinarian.
