Restasis for Dogs

Function

• Cyclosporine is in the class of drugs called immunosuppressants that work by diminishing the body's responses to disease or infection. Dry eye disease in dogs can be caused by many factors including viral infection, breed predisposition and drug-related toxicities and occurs when the animal's lacrimal (tear) glands stop producing tears. Cyclosporine reproduces the serum proteins, or immunoglobulins, that make up the tears that cover the many tissues of the eye.

Disease/Symptoms

• Continuous tear production is necessary for optimal eye health in a dog. Tears lubricate and clean the eye and also work to reduce bacteria and aid in healing. Keratoconjunctivitis Sicca, also called KCS or dry eye disease, develops when a dog's tear glands atrophy and stop producing and distributing tears. Symptoms can include recurrent conjunctivitis (pink eye) and inflammation of the cornea---the clear covering over the iris and the white of the eye. The cornea and conjunctiva (the lining of the eyelids) can appear dry and dull. A mucosal discharge is often seen on the eyelids and around the tear glands. The dog's eyelids may appear to spasm or twitch, and there can be crusty mucous around the nose.

  Dogs with KCS that remain untreated can suffer with a thickened cornea and consistent eye infections. Corneal ulcers and lacerations may occur as a result of the animal rubbing its eyes and the eyelashes irritating the cornea and surrounding membranes. In advanced cases, the dog can go blind.

Dosage

• Veterinarians usually recommend one drop of cyclosporine ophthalmic ointment is applied to the affected eye at least twice a day. If both eyes are involved, both eyes need the same treatment. Cyclosporine in ophthalmic form is not known to be toxic and will need to be given over the animal's lifetime.

Considerations

• Most cases of KCS are of unknown origin, but the disease tends to occur in dogs over the age of seven years. The disease is more prevalent in neutered and spayed animals because the lack of sex hormones can cause a decrease in the production of tears. Certain lines of Yorkshire terriers can be predisposed to dry eye because of a congenital lack of tear producing gland tissue. Other dog breeds susceptible to this disease include the American Cocker Spaniel, the West Highland White terrier and the miniature Schnauzer.

Warning

• The human drug Restasis is not FDA approved for veterinary medicine and is not normally prescribed for use in animals. As a general rule, owners should not use over-the-counter eye ointments in their dogs unless recommended by their veterinarian. Cyclosporine, trade name Optimmune, is FDA approved for animals and has a well-documented treatment protocol and efficacy rate.