Dry eye in dogs.

[minneylovesmicky]

Has anyone experienced this in their dog. Our boy, he is 5 yrs old, has been on medication for dry eye for about 4 months now and nothing seems to be working, one eye is at 13 on the test level and the other eye is a zero.

We did manage with Cyclosporine (spelling???) medication to get it up to 5 but it didn't go above that, so we tried a new medication that got his eye to an 8 then at today's check up, it was back to zero.

He has been on different dosages of both the Cyclosporine and the other medication that is a cream type, nothing seems to work. Our vet is going to get us an appointment with the specialist next time he is in town. As he stated there is nothing more he can do for him medication wise.

I just wanted to see if anyone else has had their dog experience this and what has the result been.

The vet has suggested surgery may be our only option, where they take a saliva gland and re-direct to to the eye to produce tears that way, has anyone had this done for their dog? Has it worked? Is thier dog better or worse now? I have read and been told, after this surgery, when they drool it does make a mess from the eye.

I am hoping to hear of others who have had this done to their dogs, as for now, I have not been able to find much information on the net to get any idea of the surgery or what the results are - good or bad.

Thank you in advance for any information anyone can offer me.

Cheers

 

[Pakey]

My dog, a Chinese Crested, was on daily medication for at least 2 years, starting when he was 3 (I had adopted him at 2 and he was treated for allergies for a bit before we were referred to a specialist). The opthamologist tried an assortment of combinations but nothing improved long-term--the number returned to zero. He then had the surgery. We thought it improved enough for awhile but even with continued medication, the numbers didn't go high enough, his cornea tore from dryness and the eye eventually was removed. This happened about 3 months after the surgery. The opthamologist had cautioned that this could possibly happen, even with the surgery. I was devastated at the time because my little guy was so cute but afterwards, I saw that he was no longer suffering with that dry itchy eye. He was a happier boy. It's been 6 years now and I no longer even notice that he's a one-eyed wonder!

 

[minneylovesmicky]

Thanks Pakey for your reply. how long was recovery for both the original surgery and eye removal surgery and if needed, would you opt out of the original surgery and go straight for the eye removal one, since you know the first one doesn't always work?

Our vet did tell us the surgery isn't a cure, more of a bandaid fix and I am just totally unsure if I want to put him through what could be two surgeries.

My dog, a Chinese Crested, was on daily medication for at least 2 years, starting when he was 3 (I had adopted him at 2 and he was treated for allergies for a bit before we were referred to a specialist). The opthamologist tried an assortment of combinations but nothing improved long-term--the number returned to zero. He then had the surgery. We thought it improved enough for awhile but even with continued medication, the numbers didn't go high enough, his cornea tore from dryness and the eye eventually was removed. This happened about 3 months after the surgery. The opthamologist had cautioned that this could possibly happen, even with the surgery. I was devastated at the time because my little guy was so cute but afterwards, I saw that he was no longer suffering with that dry itchy eye. He was a happier boy. It's been 6 years now and I no longer even notice that he's a one-eyed wonder!

 

[TipsyTraveler]

My dog has had chronic dry eye for a few years. After some initial medication trial and adjustments, it's now well-managed with twice daily Tacrolimus drops and once daily Diclofenac drops. Initially his opthamology appointments were every month, now we're down to only having to go once every nine months.

 

[minneylovesmicky]

My dog has had chronic dry eye for a few years. After some initial medication trial and adjustments, it's now well-managed with twice daily Tacrolimus drops and once daily Diclofenac drops. Initially his opthamology appointments were every month, now we're down to only having to go once every nine months.

Hi thanks for your reply,

The Tarclimus drops, is what we have, but we have it in ointment form and it is what he is on now 2 x a day, it got him to a level 8 a fortnight ago, then yesterday back down to zero yesterday, he is also on Maxidex drops 2 x a day.

He has been on that medication for 4 weeks now. We go back to the vet every fortnight for check ups and the medications starts to work then stops. He wears a cone, to stop him from rubbing his eye, has has had that on since middle of February.

So glad it is working for you guys.

 

[Pakey]

Thanks Pakey for your reply. how long was recovery for both the original surgery and eye removal surgery and if needed, would you opt out of the original surgery and go straight for the eye removal one, since you know the first one doesn't always work?

Our vet did tell us the surgery isn't a cure, more of a bandaid fix and I am just totally unsure if I want to put him through what could be two surgeries.

For the first surgery, the recovery was about a week. It was mostly that we had to be careful that he didn't damage himself so we didn't let him run in the yard. I really don't remember how long it was but I do recall that he recovered faster than I had expected. The eye removal surgery was a breeze. He stayed overnight, had self dissolving stitches and was a happy dog as soon as he came home.

In hindsight, I would not have done the first surgery but I say that only because it didn't work. He was so miserable with that dry eye. He has had a few missteps with his blind side but only a few and the offset is he's no longer in discomfort.

My dr was honest; we knew going in that the surgery was somewhat of a long shot because his eye was just so dry. But I felt I had to try. Honestly, I thought my dog was so beautiful and I wanted him to look normal--I really didn't give much thought to how much discomfort he had until I saw his personality emerge after the eye was removed. Your dog may not have as much discomfort and your odds may be better so it's hard to make the choice.

 

[minneylovesmicky]

For the first surgery, the recovery was about a week. It was mostly that we had to be careful that he didn't damage himself so we didn't let him run in the yard. I really don't remember how long it was but I do recall that he recovered faster than I had expected. The eye removal surgery was a breeze. He stayed overnight, had self dissolving stitches and was a happy dog as soon as he came home.

In hindsight, I would not have done the first surgery but I say that only because it didn't work. He was so miserable with that dry eye. He has had a few missteps with his blind side but only a few and the offset is he's no longer in discomfort.

My dr was honest; we knew going in that the surgery was somewhat of a long shot because his eye was just so dry. But I felt I had to try. Honestly, I thought my dog was so beautiful and I wanted him to look normal--I really didn't give much thought to how much discomfort he had until I saw his personality emerge after the eye was removed. Your dog may not have as much discomfort and your odds may be better so it's hard to make the choice.

Thanks for your reply, I know his eye at present is at a zero, i don't know if that is an indication as to if the surgery will work or not, but your experience does give me questions to ask the specialist when we see them. I won't be going in totally ignorant to this saliva redirection surgery.

Not knowing is the hard part, we don't want them to suffer, we want to make them better, we just don't know which is the best road to take.

Thanks again for your reply and I hope your puppy is doing great.