Clevengers Corner Veterinary Care

Q: My veterinarian recommended tear testing for my dog. Do you think I need to do this? If so, how often?

A: Some dogs suffer from keratoconjunctivitis sicca (KCS), also known as “dry eye.” Sometimes the condition is caused by a reaction to certain medications, particularly sulfa antibiotics. Other times the tear glands and ducts degrade abnormally quickly. The result is a reduction in the watery type of tears that normally keep the eyes moist and protected from infection. Most often the damage to tear producing tissue is irreversible and progressive.

To test tear production, a small strip of absorbent paper is placed into the conjunctival pocket around the eye. The paper is kept in the eye for 60 seconds. In that time, the tears should wick up the paper at least 20 millimeters. If they do not, tear production is said to be abnormal.

Patients with KCS typically do not display outward symptoms until tear production is less than 10 millimeters in 60 seconds. Symptoms include mucoid discharge, cloudy surface of the eye, redness in or around the eye, pigment or blood vessels across the clear portion of the eye, squinting, and eye pain. Left untreated, ulcers of the cornea may develop. These can lead to a perforated eye or severe infection of the interior portion of the eye. The disease can lead to permanent blindness.

As with most diseases, treatment is most effective when the problem is caught in the early stages. When I catch decreased tear production when the tear test indicates 12-18 millimeters in 60 seconds, I am usually very successful in preserving the dog’s vision and comfort. The less tear production that exists when first diagnosed, the more likely it will be that painful complications or decreased vision will result.

Tear testing is warranted any time there is a visible problem with the eyes. It may also be indicated during the use of certain medications. Regular tear testing should be performed in patients with a history of decreased tear production or in breeds considered high risk for “dry eye.” Breeds at increased risk include Bloodhounds, Boston Terriers, Cavalier King Charles Spaniels, Chihuahuas, Cocker Spaniel s, Dachshunds, English Bulldogs, English Springer Spaniels, Lhasa Apsos, Miniature Schnauzers, Pekingese, Pugs, Samoyeds, Shih Tzus, West Highland White Terriers, Yorkshire Terriers, and any mixed breed with a prevalence of one of the listed breeds. Since primary KCS is generally a middle age disease, I typically recommend routine screenings begin around five years of age. I generally perform the test every six months with each wellness exam.Treatment involves tear replacement ointment and daily use of a topical medication called cyclosporine. The medication helps to slow the progress of the disease and stimulates the remaining tear tissue to be more productive. Additional treatment may be required if eye infections, corneal damage, or glaucoma are present.Q: I've heard a lot of conflicting information about rawhide treats for dogs. Do they present a choking hazard and do imported treats contain dangerous chemicals?A: Almost any chew treat can be a choking hazard for dogs. Someone once told me they should be rated PG – used only under parental supervision. It is likely that ninety-nine out of a hundred dogs have no problems at all with rawhide. However, as a veterinarian, I see the 1% that has the problems. Some of the problems can be severe.Almost any veterinarian can share stories of surgically extracting a piece of rawhide that got stuck while traveling through the intestines. More commonly, we see dogs for vomiting or diarrhea caused by irritation of the gastrointestinal tract by small pieces of rawhide. Periodically, we also see dental fractures caused by overly aggressive chewing of rawhide and similar treats.

If you choose to give your dog rawhide, be absolutely certain to use a product that is made in the United States. Some hide comes from developing countries where it is legal to use dangerous preservative chemicals. Also, keep any animal-source chew toy away from children and immune compromised people. These treats have been linked with salmonella and other, sometimes drug-resistant bacteria.

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