Experiences with Dry Eye?

[ElisLove]

On Monday evening I noticed my 12 year old Mini Poodle, Stryder’s, eyes looking like they were irritating him. One eye he was holding shut a bit, and they were a bit goopy and the eye lids looked a bit red. I thought maybe he’d gotten a touch of dust in it from our runs outside, but they didn’t look better yesterday so I brought him in today. I expected that the vet would find mild irritation from dust and drops for a week and he’d be fine.
But the vet diagnosed dry eyes. He used those strips to test tear production that there was not much.
He sent me home with 3 different ointments 2-4 times a day and wants to check him in a week and dry eye is something that usually needs treatment for life with tiny tubes of ointment that cost $70+.

The only real experience I have had with dry eye is with a dog I groom on extremely rare occasion who’s eye are completely crusted/scarred/matted shut and extremely painful looking. However I think that they just simply don’t bother to treat the dogs eyes in anyway.

So any experiences with dry eye? Could the eyes be kept painfree and clear? Is there a cheaper place online to buy the ointment? Has anyone had a diagnosis of dry eye and the eyes cleared up and didn’t need treatment?

[DrBeckett]

I hate that Optimmune is so expensive. It works wonders but costs so much. You could see if any online place will have it, but try to stay away from Pet Meds, inc. They repackage expired meds and get meds from other countries that are not FDA approved. The chances of the eyes clearing up spontaneously is slim to none. Treatment is needed for life.

[ElisLove]

Thanks. I will stay clear of pet meds, inc.
I didn’t mean that dry eye would magically clear up, but more so if someone got the diagnosis of dry eye but it turned out to not be dry eye and it cleared up.

[Parrotnutz]

I used to foster for Cavalier Rescue USA and fostered several cavaliers with dry eye. I don’t remember the name of the drug but there is one, not optimmune that is used, also and it was less expensive . I took the dogs to a canine ophthalmologist at a specialty practice and she also said get over the counter moisturizing drops. Use them as often as you can.
Usually as long as you treat the eyes the dogs are fine. If untreated they get exactly as the dog you described that you groom and get infected.
This was several years ago, so don’t remember the price of the eye RX…I think it was around 50.00 and it lasted more than a month and was compounded so can probably get it cheaper from a compounding pharmacy like Wedgewood Pharmacy . I didn’t have the dogs long enough to pursue that before they were adopted and rescue paid for the eye meds when I had the dogs.
Hope this helps.

Adriane

[My_Two_Cents]

We had dry eye a few years ago in an older dog. We used Artificial Tears made by Phoenix Pharmaceutical. I was thinking it was around $15. We applied it morning and night, plus occasionally more often if it was dusty, etc…

[vxf111]

I don’t know WHY Opptimune is SO expensive but I’ve been very happy with it for my dog’s eye condition. At least for the first while, I’d use that before switching to something else.

[ElisLove]

Thanks guys. Unfortunately so far there hasn’t seemed to be much improvement at all.
I’m definitely not going to cheap out on something. If he needs the expensive drops then that’s what he’ll get, but if I can find the exact same thing for less then I’m ok with that too.

[Jarpur]

My dog has been treated for dry eye for many years (after corneal graft surgery as a puppy). His veterinary ophthalmologist told me to use eye drops containing ingredients such as the hypromellose found in GenTeal Tears (which is what I usually purchase), along with prescription Optimunne ointment. The two medications were to be administered at least five minutes apart.

Eventually, however, my dog’s prescription was changed to Tacrolimus drops when they became available, which the ophthalmologist told me was far superior; it has the additional advantage of being more easily administered (so easier for a pet sitter, for instance). The Tacrolimus is less expensive than the Optimunne.

Both the Optimunne and the Tacrolimus were prescribed for once daily administration, but the GenTeal Tears are used as necessary (as when he comes in from outside on a dusty day). Still at least five minutes between the two medications.

[Foxtrot_s]

Our Bull Terrier had dry eye, too - for years. We used drops as required frequently and he was fine - got to be routine,
kept them handy in the kitchen and made it a habit. He was fine.

[ElisLove]

Thanks guys. I actually think his eyes may look a little bit better yesterday and today. Still goopy but less squinty and uncomfortable looking. I’ll keep that other medication in mind and I’ve been spreading out the time between each ointment more.

[mercedespony]

Our oldest Bichon was diagnosed with dry-eye about 3 years ago. We have been administering Optixcare eye lube 3-4 x a day for the last 3 years. Just recently, adding Prednisone to the mix for red, irritable eyes o bad days. Without a doubt, she is going blind - her eyes are filmy most mornings, and it takes her a while, even with the lube, to see shapes, I think. If you are regular with the lube, you’ll help ease the pain.

[Jarpur]

In the new Drs. Foster and Smith catalog I received today, I noticed that prescription Optimunne ointment was $39.99 for a 3.5g tube.

[Parrotnutz]

@Jarpur

My dog has been treated for dry eye for many years (after corneal graft surgery as a puppy). His veterinary ophthalmologist told me to use eye drops containing ingredients such as the hypromellose found in GenTeal Tears (which is what I usually purchase), along with prescription Optimunne ointment. The two medications were to be administered at least five minutes apart.

Eventually, however, my dog’s prescription was changed to Tacrolimus drops when they became available, which the ophthalmologist told me was far superior; it has the additional advantage of being more easily administered (so easier for a pet sitter, for instance). The Tacrolimus is less expensive than the Optimunne.

Both the Optimunne and the Tacrolimus were prescribed for once daily administration, but the GenTeal Tears are used as necessary (as when he comes in from outside on a dusty day). Still at least five minutes between the two medications.

YES, thats what I was looking for the OP, Tacrolimus worked miracles for my foster with the worst case of dry eye, opptimunne did nothing. Plus lots of “wetting drops” all day whenever I thought of putting them in. Took several weeks of tacrolimus to help but when it kicked in it was wonderful!

Adriane

[ElisLove]

Thanks guys. I’ll look into the tacrolimus. His eyes have good and bad days still. But I think slowly getting less good. I hope in a few weeks to be able to go to a ophthalmologist

[vxf111]

@kiarawillson92

I have been following this forum for quite a long time and today I thought I should join this community and interact and share my stories and experience with you guys. By the way I don’t own any horse or pet right now as I have just started my job at Penny Saviour but I do have plans to own one. I really love horses and rabbits and would definitely own one soon and share with you guys

What do horses and rabbits have to do with a dog’s specific dry eye thread? Or did you just want to get us to click on your link (which is almost certainly spam or phishing or similar). Reported!

[vxf111]

Don’t click that suspicious link