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mimodok · 07-23-2012, 12:53 PM

My Yorkie has dry eye and is blind in her right eye. I took her to see a specialist and she is on two eye drop prescriptions for her dry eye. Her eye is doing so much better with the use of the drops. I encourage you to take your dog to an animal eye specialist. I will share with you the relevant parts of Mishka's diagnosis so you can see if it sounds like what you're dealing with.

"My major concern is that Mishka may contend with congenital dry eye in the future" When an inadequate level of tears are present, the eye produces a thick mucous as a substitute [I clean a clear, booger-like glob from the corner of Mishka's eye daily. This is the mucous he is referring to.] The lack of tear production not only leads to mucous production but also scarring and pigmentation of the surface of the eye. This eventually leads to loss of vision and is uncomfortable for the pet.

Congenital dry eye occurs predominately in small breeds of dogs (Chihuahuas, Dachshunds, Maltese, terriers)" It often becomes apparent that there is a eye problem some where between 3 months and 12 months of age. The lack of tear production is due to the lack of functioning tear glands. The disease is almost always unilateral. Many dogs with this condition have a smaller appearing eye. The eye is actually normal in size, but appears smaller due to persistent squinting.

WATCH FOR: 1) increased cloudiness, 2) holding the eye closed most of the time, 3) increasing discharge from the
eye, or 4) vomiting, diarrhea, or loss of appetite. PLEASE CALL lF THESE SIGNS OCCUR!"

There are three therapies for dry eye: tear stimulators, artificial tears and ointments, and a surgery. The surgery transplants a salivary gland to the tear duct so that saliva does the job that tears normally would. This often creates more complications than it's worth and is a last resort.

If you think your dog is experiencing dry eye, please take her to an eye specialist. Dry eye can lead to corneal ulcers which are very painful, can become infected, require separate treatment, and leave scarring that can impair the dog's vision.

07-23-2012, 12:53 PM	#6
mimodok Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Wilmington, NC, US Posts: 99	My Yorkie has dry eye and is blind in her right eye. I took her to see a specialist and she is on two eye drop prescriptions for her dry eye. Her eye is doing so much better with the use of the drops. I encourage you to take your dog to an animal eye specialist. I will share with you the relevant parts of Mishka's diagnosis so you can see if it sounds like what you're dealing with. "My major concern is that Mishka may contend with congenital dry eye in the future" When an inadequate level of tears are present, the eye produces a thick mucous as a substitute [I clean a clear, booger-like glob from the corner of Mishka's eye daily. This is the mucous he is referring to.] The lack of tear production not only leads to mucous production but also scarring and pigmentation of the surface of the eye. This eventually leads to loss of vision and is uncomfortable for the pet. Congenital dry eye occurs predominately in small breeds of dogs (Chihuahuas, Dachshunds, Maltese, terriers)" It often becomes apparent that there is a eye problem some where between 3 months and 12 months of age. The lack of tear production is due to the lack of functioning tear glands. The disease is almost always unilateral. Many dogs with this condition have a smaller appearing eye. The eye is actually normal in size, but appears smaller due to persistent squinting. WATCH FOR: 1) increased cloudiness, 2) holding the eye closed most of the time, 3) increasing discharge from the eye, or 4) vomiting, diarrhea, or loss of appetite. PLEASE CALL lF THESE SIGNS OCCUR!" There are three therapies for dry eye: tear stimulators, artificial tears and ointments, and a surgery. The surgery transplants a salivary gland to the tear duct so that saliva does the job that tears normally would. This often creates more complications than it's worth and is a last resort. If you think your dog is experiencing dry eye, please take her to an eye specialist. Dry eye can lead to corneal ulcers which are very painful, can become infected, require separate treatment, and leave scarring that can impair the dog's vision. Last edited by mimodok; 07-23-2012 at 12:55 PM.