Dry Eye in Pets
You may not have heard of Dry Eye, but it’s one of the most common eye conditions to affect our four-legged friends. If it’s left untreated, it can become very painful and even lead to blindness, so we’re getting in touch to make sure you know how to recognise the early signs.
What is Dry Eye?
Dogs might not cry with emotion like us, but their tears still perform a vital function. They protect against infection, keep the eye’s surface comfortable and wash out any dirt or grit. Above all, tears help your pets' eyesight stay in tip top condition.
Dry Eye, also known as Keratoconjunctivitis sicca (KCS), occurs when the tear glands stop producing enough watery tears to keep the eye’s surface lubricated. Over time, the surface of the eye can turn black and becomes at risk of a painful ulcer, which can lead to blindness or, very occasionally, the loss of the eye.
Are some breeds more at risk?
Dry Eye affects one in every 22 dogs, and some breeds are more prone than others. English Cocker Spaniels, West Highland White Terriers, Pekingese, Cavalier King Charles Spaniels, Lhasa Apsos, Shih-Tzu and Bulldogs are particularly susceptible.
What are the Symptoms?
The early signs of Dry Eye can be tricky to spot, but as the disease progresses, your pets may show one or more of the following symptoms.
- A recurrent, sticky discharge from one or both eyes
- Excessive blinking or eye-rubbing
- Redness on the white of the eye
- Dry or dull-looking eyes
Is Dry Eye Treatable?
The good news is that if your pets do ever develop Dry Eye, there are very effective treatments to help.
Of course, as with all diseases, the earlier we can diagnose a problem, the better the outcome. We can check if your pets has Dry Eye with a simple test. If you're concerned, please bring them in for a test and we'll have the results straight away.
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- *Please note if your pet is sick, please book in for an Illness Consultation when booking online.