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Keratoconjunctivitis Sicca (view source)
Revision as of 10:24, 21 February 2014
, 10:24, 21 February 2014no edit summary
Consideration should be given to ruling out other conditions that have been associated with KCS, including [[Hypothyroidism]], [[Diabetes Mellitus]] and '''Polyarthritis'''.
Consideration should be given to ruling out other conditions that have been associated with KCS, including [[Hypothyroidism]], [[Diabetes Mellitus]] and '''Polyarthritis'''.
==Treatment==
===Medical Therapy===
Medical therapy is normally used first for KCS, with surgical treatment only used if there is a poor response to medical therapy.
====Cyclosporine====
'''Cyclosporine''' is believed to help manage KCS by reducing immune-mediated destruction of the gland and by stimulating '''tear production''' by binding with '''prolactin receptors'''. Once treatment is started, tear production should be tested after a month. If there is a good response the dose may be tapered.
====Tear Substitutes===
A range of human tear substitute products may be used in dogs. Individuals react differently to different formulations so authors recommend trialling different preparations to see which gives the best clinical response.
====Pilocarpine====
May be more effective in '''neurogenic''' cases of KCS. Care must be taken to avoid systemic side effects.
===Surgery===
'''Parotid Duct Transposition''' may be performed in cases that respond poorly to medical treatment.
==Control==
KCS cases secondary to drug use, trauma or infection may resolve after '''45-60 days'''. Other causes normally require life long therapy.
==References==
Maggs, D et al (2007) '''Slatter's Fundamentals Of Veterinary Ophthalmology''' (Fourth Edition) ''Saunders''
Peiffer, Robert J, and Petersen-Jones, Simon M (2008) '''Small Animal Ophthalmology''' (Fourth Edition) ''Saunders''
[[Category:Corneal Diseases - Cat]]
[[Category:Corneal Diseases - Dog]]