Dry Eye (KCS) in Dogs: Causes, Signs & Treatment

Dry Eyes In Dogs

The medical term for “dry eyes” is Keratoconjunctivitis Sicca (KCS). This is a fairly common condition where the eyes do not produce enough tears to keep the surface lubricated and healthy. Tears are important because they carry nutrients and protective antibodies to the eye. Without sufficient tear production, the eyes become vulnerable to irritation, infection, and damage.

The most common reason for developing dry eyes is immune-mediated disease. In other words, the body mistakenly “attacks” its own tear (or lacrimal) glands, resulting in decreased production of tears. The reason why it occurs is still not fully understood. Other reasons for KCS include neurological issues (nerve damage affecting the eye), breed predisposition, certain infections, or medications.

Common signs	Thick, sticky, yellow-green discharge over the surface or sides of the eye, frequent blinking, squinting, red or cloudy eyes, recurring infections or injury like ulcers.
Diagnosis	Schirmer Tear Test – a small strip of paper will be placed at the edge of the eye to measure how much tears your dog produces in 1 minute. Other tests such as a fluorescein stain might be performed to rule out other issues like ulcers.
Who is affected?	Any dog, though more common in middle age. Some dog breeds more predisposed eg: Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, Miniature Schnauzer, Shih Tzu, Yorkshire Terriers, “flat-faced” breeds like pugs or Frenchies etc.

Treatment

Once diagnosed, KCS is typically a lifelong condition that is managed rather than cured. The good news is, it can be managed well with medication and committed care. Your dog will be sent home on long-term eye drops called Cyclosporine or Tacrolimus to stimulate the tear glands to produce more tears. You will also be given drops to lubricate the eye several times a day – we highly recommend doing this consistently even when your dog’s eyes appear better or “normal”, as this will greatly improve your dog’s comfort.

It is also possible that your dog has other issues such as eye ulcers or irritation that needs to be addressed concurrently, so additional eye drops for those will be prescribed. Should other causes of KCS be suspected, your vet will point you in the right direction to get additional tests performed.

Important Note

If dry eye is left untreated, it is possible that your pet may face chronic eye infections and injury, and it may also lead to other more severe complications including losing their vision. It is important to come back for regular reviews with the vet, usually within a few days to weeks after starting medication. Tests might need to be re-run to confirm resolution or improvement. Eye issues can be complicated and we do not recommend delaying specialist investigation if necessary. As such, for some dogs, we might recommend a referral for a full eye exam with the ophthalmologist.

When To Call Your Vet

Go to your vet immediately if you notice the following: an eye that is protruding/“bulging”, or is sunken, sudden vision loss, bleeding, or if your dog is suddenly unwell or in a lot of discomfort.

**GENTLE REMINDER: THIS HANDOUT RELATES TO DOGS ONLY. KCS IS LESS COMMON IN CATS. SHOULD YOU WISH TO DISCUSS THIS CONDITION IN CATS, PLEASE CONTACT YOUR VET.**

Willow Vet Clinic contact
Phone: 6970 5686
E-mail: hello@willowvets.sg (non-urgent enquiries only)

DISCLAIMER: THIS HANDOUT IS MEANT FOR GENERAL EDUCATION PURPOSES ONLY AND IS NOT A SUBSTITUTE FOR MEDICAL ADVICE.