Dog Diagnosis of Dry Eyes. Any Advice?

My 13 yr. old diabetic dog was just diagnosed with Dry Eyes.
Vet said he will have to have this expensive ointment the rest of his life. Any advice on this, Please?

Forgot to say he has been 100% blind with diabetic cataracts for several years.
Verry happy & gets around well in his own home. My husband has leukemia & our meds are so high, I was looking for a good alternative. He's been on insulin for 7 years & does well. Appreciate all of your help.

second opinion from another vet
This is over-diagnosed. It might be a correct diagnosis, but it never hurts to get a second opinion. And keep a humidifier going in the house during cold weather.

Why would you ask for other advise here instead of doing what your vets says?

yes my advise is do exactly what the vet said to do, he is the expert

This is a common problem with Cresteds.. its ussually genetic.. but can also be caused by injury or illness.

Yes she will need the medication for the rest of her life. The diabetes probably destroyed her tear ducts or glands.. she has little/no tear production to keep her eyes lubricated. If those eyes do not stay lubricated, they will dry out and cause painful and permanant eye issues... some dogs have had to have eyes removed because of damage from untreated dry eye.

Sometimes surgury is an option.. although your dog is 13 and diabetic, there is too much risk. Sometimes teear ducts are just blocked and can be opened.. or the vet can direct the saliva glands to the eyes.. surgery is not always successful tho either.

My cavalier was diagnosied with dry eye last week, the vet said to clean his eyes every morning but if it persists to go back and he'll give me some eye drops for it! it sounds like your vet is trying to push something very expensive on you just for the money!

Well, judging from the first two answers, this answer isn't going to be at all popular. I have an ancient shih tzu with awful cataracts. She has dry eyes also. My vet told me that I could use the expensive ointment, the even more expensive cyclosporine eye drops or plain mineral oil. After one month of the expensive eye drops (wanted her to have the best, of course!), I switched to the mineral oil. It's been working great for 6 years! Ask your vet if that wouldn't be an acceptable substitute.
My old girl is sending all her good thoughts to your old boy!

You can talk to your vet about trying over the counter dry eye ointment or drop and see what they say, if it's not to bad they might help and save all of $. I know the vet I worked for did recommend to give them a try first, and in most cases worked great in some they didn't help and needed the RX from the vet. Best of Luck

I agree with the second opinion. I have gone to several vets and oddly enough they will all have something different to say. I would also ask about the mineral oil, or give it a shot and then go back in a couple of months and see how the vet says she is doing and if all is good then fill them in on your little known secret to use mineral oil.

Keratoconjunctivitis sicca (KCS) is the technical term for a condition also known as 'dry eye.' Inadequate tear production is the cause. This may be due to injuries to the tear glands, such as infections or trauma. The nerves of these glands may also become damaged. Eye infections and reactions to drugs such as sulfonamides can impair the nerves and/or the glands. Some cases are also the result of the gland of the third eyelid being surgically removed by mistake. KCS may also be caused by an immune reaction within the glands that produce tears. Many cases have no known cause; the glands simply cease to function at their normal levels.
What are the symptoms?

The eyes typically develop a thick, yellowish discharge. Infections are common as the lack of the bactericidal tears allows bacterial organisms to overgrow on the eye. Additionally, inadequate lubrication allows dust, pollen, etc., to accumulate. As a result the eyes lose their ability to flush away foreign particles and protect themselves from bacteria. To confirm a case of dry eye, a measurement of tear production is performed. Veterinarians use a small piece of absorbent material called a Schirmer tear test strip. This small strip is placed in the eye. Over a period of usually one minute, the tears soak and migrate up the strip. The wet area of the strip is then measured and compared to normal values. If inadequate tear production if found, then dry eye is diagnosed.

What are the risks?

Left untreated, the patient will suffer painful and chronic eye infections. Repeated irritation of the cornea results in severe scarring which will become apparent. Corneal ulceration may develop, and will lead to blindness.

What is the management?

If the cause can be identified, treatment should be aimed at eliminating it. An evaluation to determine infection should be performed. A thorough history may reveal past infections that could have damaged the tear glands or their nerves. If the patient is receiving sulfa drugs, they should be stopped at once. From our clinical experience, it is very rare that the cause can be identified, in which case therapy is aimed at replacing tears rather than correcting the cause.

Cyclosporine ophthalmic ointment or drops are most often used to treat this condition. Another eye preparation, tacrolimus, is also used and may be effective when cyclosporine is not. In some cases, artifical tear solutions are also recommended.

In very severe cases, a surgery can be performed which transplants a salivary duct into the upper eyelid area. Saliva then drains into the eye, providing lubrication. This procedure is rarely used, but is an option.

The question of over the counter or prescription meds depends on how severe the dry eye is.If you try non presription,go for the gel eye drops,they are stronger.If you go presription,shop around.I buy cyclosporin for $30/15ml from on online US company,much less than my vet compounds it for.Watch the eyes for corneal ulcers,a painful result of under treatment which needs prompt vet attention,
AddedIf he is blind already and well enough for surgery,consider having his eyes removed.