What condition does Optimmune treat?

Cyclosporine ophthalmic (Optimmune) is indicated for the treatment of keratonconjnctivitis sicca (KCS) and chronic superficial keratitis in dogs. KCS (aka dry eye syndrome) is usually a lifetime required treatment.

What does Optimmune treat in dogs?

Optimmune Ophthalmic Ointment is a sterile eye ointment containing cyclosporine, which helps to treat keratoconjunctivitis sicca (KCS or dry eye) in dogs. It reduces inflammation, stimulates tear production, and helps to reduce damage to the tear glands.

What are the side effects of Optimmune in dogs?

Possible side effects of Optimmune Ophthalmic:

Some burning, redness, tearing, discharge, pain, itching, stinging, or blurring of the eye may occur. Continue the medication and talk to your veterinarian about any side effect that seems unusual or bothersome to the animal.

Is there a substitute for Optimmune?

Alternately, I-DROP® VET GEL works in early, mid, and late stages of dry eye disease as well as all severity levels. I-DROP® VET is also much more cost-effective than Optimmune, and therefore the better option for managing dry eyes.

How quickly does Optimmune work?

How long should my dog take to respond to ciclosporin Optimmune? Most dogs show an improvement in the appearance of their eyes within two weeks of starting ciclosporin ointment. It can take up to six weeks for the increase in tear production to be maximal.

How long does a tube of Optimmune last?

7 – 12 hourly dosing is ideal. It is worth while keeping treatments evenly spaced as Optimmune often works better twice daily than just once. Some clients have reported that a tube can last for six weeks when dosing both eyes twice a day.

Can Optimmune cause blindness?

Optimmune is indicated for the therapeutic treatment of keratoconjunctivitis sicca (KCS, `dry eye’) and chronic superficial keratitis (`pannus’). KCS is a common condition, affecting 1:22 of all dogs. It is painful and, if not correctly managed, can result in permanent blindness.

How long should a tube of Optimmune last?

Shelf life up to 24 months with no refrigeration.

Is dry eye in dogs painful?

“Dogs with this condition typically have red eyes from irritation as well as some thick mucoid discharge. They will squint frequently and may blink excessively or keep their eyes closed,” Dr. Martins says. Dry eye can be painful, so the animal may paw at the eye more than normal or shy away from the area being touched.

Is Optimmune the same as Optixcare?

Yes, absolutely. You can use both. Cyclosporine which is the active ingredient in Optimmune, belongs to a class of drugs known as immunosuppressants. Optixcare is simply an eye lubricant.

Is dry eye in dogs permanent?

In most dogs however, dry eye is a permanent condition that cannot be cured, only controlled. Your pet will likely require some degree of medication long-term. Your ophthalmologist will work to slowly decrease medications over time to find the lowest maintenance level necessary to control the condition.

Can dry eye cause blindness in dogs?

Keratoconjunctivitis sicca (KCS), or dry eye, is a common disease in the dog population, and is a leading cause of conjunctival and corneal disease in the dog. Not only does dry eye lead to permanent eye irritation, but the long term effects on the cornea will lead to permanent blindness.

Can dry eyes cause blindness?

Dry eyes are most common in women over the age of 50. Not getting enough vitamin A and wearing contact lenses also ups the risk. If left untreated, dry eyes can cause damage to the cornea, the clear outer layer covering the eye, including vision loss and blindness.

Can dry eye resolve itself?

The second most common kind of dry eye happens because your body doesn’t make enough tears. This is called dry eye syndrome, or keratoconjunctivitis sicca (KCS). Many things can cause it. Depending on what that is, it can go away on its own or last a long time.

What is a natural remedy for dry eyes in dogs?

What does dry eye in a dog look like?

What are the clinical signs of dry eye? Most dogs have painful, red, and irritated eyes. They often squint, blink excessively or hold the eyes shut. There is often a thick, yellowish, mucoid discharge present as a result of the decrease in the aqueous (watery) component of the tear film.

How can I help my dog with dry eye?

In most cases of dry eye, treatment is aimed at stimulating the tear glands to produce more of the dog’s own tears. This is usually achieved by using a drug called cyclosporine. In addition to stimulating tear production, cyclosporine also helps to reverse the immune-mediated tear gland destruction mentioned earlier.

How can I treat my dogs eye infection without going to the vet?

If there is a little bit of gooey discharge in the eyes but your dog can keep both eyes open and is not squinting or scratching its eyes (either with its paws or by rubbing its face on the floor) and otherwise seems well, you can cleanse the eyes with saline, remove the discharge, and apply some lubricating eye drops ( …

Why has my dogs eye gone cloudy?

The most common causes of cloudy eyes in senior dogs are nuclear sclerosis and cataracts. However, there are some other conditions that can also create a cloudy appearance in your dog’s eyes that require immediate veterinary attention.

Is apple cider vinegar good for dogs eyes?

Due to apple cider vinegar’s acidity, make sure to avoid getting it in your dog’s eyes. Never give apple cider vinegar undiluted to your dog since it is acidic.

What does a dog eye infection look like?

If your dog’s eyes are weeping, watering more than usual, or you notice yellow, green or white coloured discharge, they may have an eye infection. Other signs of eye infections in dogs include pawing at their eye, blinking more than usual, swelling, redness and squinting.