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Oculares

Keratoconjunctivitis sicca (dry eye)

Insufficient tear production, which dries out and damages the cornea. Common and often underdiagnosed. Left untreated, it damages vision.

Moderate🐕 Dogs

Symptoms to watch for

  • • Thick, sticky discharge, sometimes greenish
  • • Red eye
  • • Cloudy or dull appearance of the cornea
  • • Frequent blinking, discomfort
  • • In chronic cases: dark pigmentation of the cornea and loss of vision

Causes

Most common cause: an immune-mediated disease that destroys the tear glands. Also caused by drugs, infections or hormonal problems. Predisposed breeds: Cocker Spaniel, Bulldog, Westie, Pug.

Diagnosis

Schirmer test: measures tear production over one minute. It is a quick and key test.

Treatment

Lifelong treatment: frequent artificial tears and, above all, drugs that stimulate tear production (ciclosporin, tacrolimus). Early treatment saves vision.

Prevention

Eye checks in predisposed breeds. The immune-mediated form cannot be prevented, but it can be detected early.

When should you see the vet?

See your vet if there is persistent thick discharge and a red eye. Untreated dry eye leads to blindness, but it responds very well when caught in time.

Consult a vet

Kiku guides you and takes you to the vet; it does not diagnose.

Notice: this information is for general guidance and educational purposes only. It does NOT replace diagnosis or treatment by a registered veterinary surgeon. If you notice any symptoms, always consult a professional. Mizuu accepts no responsibility for the use of this information without veterinary supervision.

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Keratoconjunctivitis sicca (dry eye) in pets: symptoms, causes and treatment