Dry eye syndrome in dogs has been proven to be the basis of stubborn tear gland degeneration and inflammation. It cannot be completely cured. Only by finding the root cause can it be effectively prevented. So what are the causes of dry eye in dogs?

1. Caused by external reasons

1. Caused by drugs: Sulfonium drugs (some commonly used eye drops) can cause dry eye in dogs.

2. Caused by surgery: Dry eye syndrome is caused by surgical removal of the prolapsed third eyelid gland (cherry eye).

3. Caused by canine distemper: Canine distemper virus can affect the lacrimal glands and third eyelid glands, resulting in temporary or permanent loss of tear secretion function. If the owner suspects that his dog has canine distemper, he can use canine distemper test paper for testing. If the diagnosis is confirmed, the dog can be given antiviral treatment as soon as possible and injected with canine distemper virus monoclonal antibody.

2. Normal growth changes

1. Spontaneous and senile causes: The cause of dry eye in dogs is related to the gradual atrophy of lacrimal glands in animals as they age.

2. Caused by autoimmunity: Up to 30% of dry eye symptoms occur spontaneously, related to autoimmune damage to the lacrimal gland and third eyelid gland. Among dry eye cases at the Ophthalmology Clinic of the National Taiwan University Animal Hospital, a significantly higher proportion of patients had abnormal immune conditions, including allergies or trichocystis infections.

3. Caused by trauma to the eye socket or under the eye socket: The tear gland and third eyelid gland are damaged due to trauma, or the nerves in charge of the lacrimal gland and third eyelid gland are damaged, causing abnormal tear secretion.

3. Caused by genetics

Congenital or genetic causes: Congenital acinar hypoplasia often occurs in young or young adult dogs of miniature breeds, such as Chihuahuas and Yorkshire Terriers. In addition, there are dog breeds that are genetically prone to dry eye disease (but the age of onset is not necessarily the same). This is often related to autoimmune attacks on the tear glands. Dog breeds include Maltese, Yorkshire Terrier, and Shih Tzu (details) , Pug, Pekingese, Boston Terrier, West Highland Terrier, King Charles Spaniel, Lhasa Apso, English Cocker Spaniel, American Cocker Spaniel and British Bulldog, etc.

4. Caused by other reasons

Caused by the lack of distribution of sensory nerves on the surface of the eyeball (craninal nerve V). The lacrimal gland lacks distribution of parasympathetic sensory nerves (craninal nerve VII). and many unproven or unknown factors have been suggested.