When Dr. English explained the surgery to me a few years ago, he mentioned an allergy to minerals in the saliva and an overproduction of saliva as the main complications.
SURGICAL SOLUTIONS?
There is a surgical solution to KCS though it is a delicate procedure in general only done by veterinary ophthalmologists. This is called the Parotid Duct Transposition. The parotid duct is the salivary gland on either side of the facial cheek. It produces saliva which is carried to the mouth via a long duct. This duct can be carefully dissected out and moved so as to deliver saliva over the eye. Saliva actually makes a reasonable substitute for tears though in time some mineral deposits will form on the eye surface and eye drops may be needed to control this. The dog’s eyes will water when he is fed and facial wetting may be objectionable. KCS (Dry Eye) Surgical treatment for KCS:
Surgery is also available should medical treatment fail. Surgery involves transposing or moving the duct for the salivary gland that empties into your pet’s mouth to the eye. After this surgery, the eye will be lubricated with saliva instead of tears when your dog salivates. It will be necessary to feed your dog several small meals a day. Surgical treatment is reserved for dogs that do not respond to, and are still not comfortable with medical treatment alone. There are complications associated with this surgery including mineral deposits from the tears that build up on the cornea, skin infections around the eye due to overflow of saliva onto the face, or scarring or closure of the duct after surgery. Most pets continue on some type of topical medication after surgery.
What is KCS