If you read the link I posted, it explains that lacrimal glands secrete tears. If the puppy is born without one or both, it is not repairable. In puppies that young, surgery to redirect a salivary gland to the eye will probably be recommended. The surgery is also described in the above link. If it's simply blocked tear ducts, they can be surgically opened.
As I said before, you need to have the puppy evaluated by an ophthalmologist. That is the only way you will know what is causing the puppy's dry eye and how to treat it and how much it will cost.
Can you get a referral to a vet school? They are often a little more reasonable. Another member got an estimate of $2500 to do one eye at U of Tennessee. That is extremely reasonable.
Giving a potential owner $150 discount on a puppy with KCS is no bargain. My Lady has KCS and I can tell you it is very expensive to maintain. I spend about $100 a month in artificial tears alone. Dogs with dry eye are prone to ulcers and infections. One bottle of antibiotic eye drops I had this summer for Lady cost $95 and I had to refill it three times. Ulcers that don't heal on their own can require surgery (graft) which costs about $1500 here at the vet school. Regular (at least every year) eye exams by an ophthalmologist will be necessary. As you said, they run $200 and up.
Dogs with dry eye build up scar tissue over time and will lose their vision eventually unless they have Parotid Duct surgery. |