Do Lhasa Apso’s Suffer from Dry Eyes?

Dry eyes are a normal condition that afflicts most dogs a few times over their lifetime and is usually associated with aging. For Lhasa Apso’s, however, dry eye is not always an old-dog problem.

Are Lhasa Apso’s prone to dry eyes? Lhasa’s are among the dog breeds that have a high risk of dry eyes, or keratoconjunctivitis sicca (KCS). The condition is characterized by inadequate tear production which leads to dry and inflamed eyes. Some cases are mild and only cause discomfort; severe cases cause extreme, debilitating pain. Severe KCS, if left untreated, can lead to worsening pain and blindness.

Some of the early symptoms of KCS may resemble other, less severe eye conditions. It’s important to know what signs to watch out for so that your beloved dog can receive timely and proper treatment.

Understanding KCS

Any dog can suffer from KCS; but there are certain breeds, particularly those that are brachycephalic (characterized by a shortened head, flat face, and protruding eyes), that are more prone to the condition. The following dog breeds have a high susceptibility to KCS:

American cocker spaniel
Bloodhound
Boston terrier
Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
English bulldog
English springer spaniel
Lhasa Apso
Miniature schnauzer
Pekingese
Pug
Samoyed
Shih Tzu
West Highland white terrier
Yorkshire terrier

Tears are mostly made up of a thin or aqueous layer; the other significant components of tears are a superficial oily layer and an inner mucoid layer. In addition to keeping the eyes lubricated, the aqueous layer also protects the eyes from bacteria, dust, and other particles, and supplies the cornea with oxygen and nutrients.

A dog with KCS does not produce enough of the liquid/aqueous element of the tear, but the tear duct still delivers the mucoid layer. This is what accumulates and causes the discharge in the eye. With the insufficient production of the aqueous component of the tear, dirt and bacteria are not flushed effectively and also accumulate, causing other eye problems, including inflammation and swelling due to infections.

Symptoms of KCS

Chronic eye discharge; usually long and stringy or pus-like; reappears after it is cleared.
The emergence of the third eyelid.
Swollen eye/s.
Constant squinting and blinking.
Frequent eye-rubbing
Inflamed cornea and conjunctiva.
Eye dullness

Changes in Dog Behavior That are Cause for Concern

You may not immediately notice the tell-tale signs of KCS, especially during its early stages; but specific behavioral changes in your dog may also alert you that something is wrong.

Light sensitivity
Irritability
Frantic or anxious behavior
Deteriorating vision
Allergy-like symptoms that do not go away when the common allergens are removed.
KCS caused by facial nerve damage often makes a dog lick one or both of his nostrils, which also dry up

If you observe any combination of these unusual behaviors, and especially because your dog is a high-risk breed, visit your veterinarian for a proper diagnosis as soon as possible. Your Lhasa Apso most likely has KCS and will experience worsening discomfort and pain if the condition is not treated immediately.

Diagnosis and Treatment Options

Your vet will need your dog’s medical history and assess her clinical symptoms. The vet will also perform the Schirmer Tear test to measure tear production and confirm a diagnosis of KCS. The test uses a filter paper to measure “the amount of wetness” of your dog’s eye. Minimal eye wetness – less than 15-25 mm of tears in one minute- means a positive Schirmer Tear test result, which indicates a dry eye. Your vet will also test for bacterial infection and corneal damage.

Because your Lhasa is predisposed to dry eye, once she begins suffering from the condition, she will need daily treatment for the rest of her life. Treatment through medication, which you will administer at home, will help increase tear production and protect the cornea. Her eyes will need to be cleaned with a warm and wet washcloth several times a day, every day. You will need to take her to the vet regularly so her progress can be monitored.

Your vet may prescribe the following medicines and supplementsto help manage the symptoms and avoid complications:

Topical corticosteroid or cyclosporine to reduce inflammation and swelling
Artificial tears or lubrication ointment
Topical antibiotics for the infection and/or to minimize mucus/discharge production
Vitamins A, C, and E, and B-complex vitamins
Euphrasia, as an herbal supplement and an eyewash

The cost of a veterinary visit for diagnosis of KCS is usually less than $100. Among the medications, cyclosporine drops are the most commonly used and can cost between $45 and $99. Fortunately, KCS is one of the numerous chronic diseases in dogs that can be covered by a pet health insurance.

If treatment is undertaken before corneal ulceration occurs, the cost of KCS is limited mainly to the value of its diagnosis (usually had for less than $100) and the medications required to treat it. Unfortunately, the price of the cyclosporine eye drops (the drug most commonly utilized) is not insignificant.

Do not panic if you do not see immediate improvement after a few days of administering your dog’s medications. It usually takes weeks of uninterrupted treatment before you’ll notice signs of improvement. It’s important to remember that you should not stop treatment when your Lhasa’s symptoms go away. Your dog’s treatment regimen needs to be sustained, exactly as directed by your vet, to avoid recurrence of symptoms and a worsening of the condition.

Prognosis

KCS is a lifelong condition and will require lifelong medical care, and constant, daily monitoring and hands-on care from you. If the disease is caught and treated early enough, there is a high chance that your pet can still live the rest of her life with no pain, discomfort, and no further complications – as long as you follow her treatment plan to the letter.

If the condition has already caused extensive corneal scarring and partial loss of vision upon diagnosis, the prescribed medications may not be as effective and the corneal damage and vision loss, most likely, can no longer be reversed.