Keratoconjunctivitis Sicca (KCS) in dogs is a common condition of the eye that occurs when the tear glands stop producing enough tears to keep the eye wet, or in some cases, stop producing tears altogether. Also known as “Dry Eye Syndrome ” or DES in dogs, this condition grows progressively worse, slowly robbing the animal of its eyesight entirely.
Symptoms for Keratoconjunctivitis Sicca (KCS) in dogs can include excessive blinking, protrusion of the third eyelid, swollen blood vessels of the eye, cloudy or ulcerated eyes, and discharge.
Although common in dogs, breeds genetically predisposed to KCS eye are the Affenpinscher, Bulldog, Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, Chihuahua, Chow Chow, Cocker Spaniel, Dachshund, Gordon Setter, Kerry Blue Terrier, Lhasa Apso, Miniature Schnauzer, Pekingese, Poodle, Pug, Sealyham Terrier, Shih Tzu, Standard Schnauzer, Toy Poodle, West Highland White Terriers and Yorkshire Terrier.
Immunosuppressant and artificial tear medications are generally prescribed for KCS in dogs. Immunosuppressant drugs work by “interrupting” the immune system’s attack of the tear glands, but it does not completely stop the attack. Aside from not producing the most favorable results, the other downfall is that it also comes with unwanted side effects and the dog will need this medication for the remainder of their life.
Stem cells halt the attack on the tear glands by “resetting” the immune system. This means that your dog can be treated once with stem cell injections into his tear glands and third eyelid, and be resolved of the issue for life.
