Dry Eye in Dogs：Causes, Treatment, and Related Symptoms

January 2, 2024 Dog Medicine

Overview
Dry eye is one of the most common ocular surface diseases in small animals. Due to different degrees of corneal damage, a series of symptoms such as ocular discomfort, increased secretions, visual impairment, and ocular surface inflammation occur.

Causes of Dry Eyes in dogs

Long-term bacterial infection of the eye can cause damage and obstruction of the lacrimal gland, some viral infections can lead to dry eye, and some drugs can reduce the secretion of tears. In addition, the third eyelid removal is also prone to dry eye, because the third eyelid can secrete about 40% of the tear.

Symptoms of Dry Eyes

The dog appears to blink frequently, to scratch with his forelimbs, to have a tarnished surface of the eyes, and to have small, dry, hard eye droppings around the eyes. In the early stage of the disease, the surface of the eyeball will become cloudy and dry, followed by fibrosis and even blepharospasm.

Diagnostic Criteria for Dry Eye in Dogs

Do tear dipstick test, combined with symptoms and medical history investigation, can also do bacterial culture.

Treatment of Dry Eyes

Acute dry eye disease of dogs must use antibiotics locally to prevent secondary bacterial infection, can choose 1% ~ 2% of cyclosporin, twice a day, the fastest effect also wants 7 days or more, with cortisone eye drops good effect.

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