PetMeds® An Approach to Holistic Veterinary Medicine

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Posted by admin on March 11, 2010 – 8:32 am
Filed under Dr. Dym's Vet Blog
Holistic veterinary medicine focuses on strengthening your pet's healing abilities, instead of just using drugs and popular medications One of the most rapidly growing areas of interest in both human and veterinary medicine is the option of complimentary veterinary medical treatment options.  These options have been called different names from integrative veterinary medicine to alternative veterinary medicine to holistic veterinary medicine.  Most of these treatment options tend to look at the body as being sick as a single whole organism, rather than the more mechanical and reductionistic way that conventional medicine views illness as our animals being sick only in affected parts that are the presenting complaint.

For example, in conventional veterinary medicine an asthmatic animal would be viewed as having just a sick airway with allergic inflammation and constriction of the airways.  The rest of the patient would be viewed separately and not considered involved in the illness of the airways.  Drug therapies would be the same for every pet, focused only on blocking that inflammation of the airways and relieving the constriction, while ignoring the rest of the body. Sometimes long term use of these drugs can have unwanted side effects on the rest of the body.

If this same asthmatic animal was treated by a holistic veterinarian skilled in traditional Chinese medicine (known as TCM) and acupuncture, or in homeopathy, the diseased airways would be viewed as only one symptom of the whole patient. However, the other individualizing symptoms of the patient in the rest of the body would be equally as important in coming up with an individualized medical treatment plan. The goal of treatment would be in making the pet overall healthier, less susceptible to future asthmatic attacks as well as other health problems as well. One big distinction between the two medical models of illness and treatment is that the conventional medical approach will offer much quicker relief and suppression of symptoms, while with most of the holistic modalities, more patience and time commitment would be needed in treating a patient with such a chronic disease.

There are however circumstances in veterinary medicine such as in acute trauma, as well as acute spinal and joint problems, where holistic medicines like acupuncture, chiropractic and homeopathy can act even quicker, more safely, and more effectively than conventional drugs. And in managing chronic back and joint problems, many veterinarians will often utilize an integrative medical approach, using both conventional medicine, as well as other complimentary therapies such as nutritional supplements, chiropractic, osteopathy, acupuncture and physical therapy.

I would encourage animal guardians interested in an integrative or even purely holistic veterinary approach to find veterinarians with adequate skills and who have undergone ongoing training in these complimentary areas. Some excellent resources of information include the American Holistic Veterinary Medical Association in Bel Aire, Maryland www.AHVMA.org as well as the Academy of Veterinary Homeopathy www.TheAVH.org.  Both websites also have links to other holistic resources of information and veterinarians as well.

PetMeds® Things to Consider When Buying a Pet

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Posted by Dr. Michael Dym, VMD veterinarian on February 10, 2010 – 10:54 am
Filed under Dr. Dym's Vet Blog

The first thing to consider when buying a pet is where one is going to purchase or adopt their animal companion. While one can spend thousands of dollars at local pet stores or from breeders, I would highly recommend adopting many of the homeless pets available from shelters, breed rescue groups, or humane societies.  Whenever one purchases or adopts an animal, I always find it helpful for the potential future animal guardians to spend time alone with their prospective feline or canine companions. Often within a short period of time, a guardian will know if the “chemistry” is right between animal and human.

If purchasing a pure breed dog, it may be helpful to see the parents and/or siblings, as well as inquire about any genetic or developmental problems seen in the breeding lines.  Whether adopted or purchased, many pets will come with some sort of warranty against the development of genetic or developmental diseases the first year or two of purchase. Many of these laws protecting the consumer will vary by state and location. Your prospective animal companion should be bright eyed with a shiny coat free of dander or oily film. If you fall in love with a puppy or kitten with an upper respiratory infection or kennel cough type syndrome, it is best you wait until the condition is completely resolved with medication before taking that cute puppy or kitty home.

 If your desired pet happens to be sick, it is best to have the condition taken care of before by the current caregivers before bringing the dog or cat into your home

Many pets up for adoption or sale will usually already have been vaccinated, wormed and/or spayed/neutered. But if not, you can inquire about low cost spay/neuter and vaccination programs in your area. Usually most states will offer consumers a few week period after adoption or purchase, where a veterinary exam is recommended in order to pick up any potential genetic diseases of the knees, hips, and for detecting any possible future problems such as the finding of a heart murmur, hernias or other congential abnormalities, as well as any infectious diseases such as kennel cough, parasites or ear mites.

If such abnormalities are detected, than most states often protect the consumer in terms of covering the cost of treatment up to the price paid for the pet, as well as the option of returning the pet if desired. By paying attention to some of these issues, as well as getting a prompt veterinary exam within a few weeks of adopting or purchasing a pet, animal guardians can increase the likelihood of having companions who will live long and healthy lives.

PetMeds® Euthanizing A Beloved Pet

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Posted by Dr. Michael Dym, VMD veterinarian on February 5, 2010 – 9:07 am
Filed under Dr. Dym's Vet Blog
Euthanizing a beloved pet is one of the hardest decisions a pet lover can make One of the most difficult decisions that almost any animal guardian at some point must make is when they must wish their canine or feline companion a compassionate goodbye,  by choosing humane euthanasia for a chronically ill, untreatable,  or suffering elder pet.   As in human medicine, animals are living longer and longer in recent years, and with age come many chronic degenerative diseases. Organ failure including liver or kidney failure, degenerative joint or spinal disease, declining cognitive dysfunction, and cancer of any organ system all top the list of chronic diseases in aging pets.

And while there have been many medical and surgical advances in helping palliate many of these conditions, there does come a time when an animal guardian must make a decision on continuing management of these and other conditions versus the difficult decision of humane euthanasia when quality of life of most days is very poor. Certainly having a long term relationship with a trusting and kind small animal veterinarian who knows you and your companion best,  and who can help you sort through treatment options is an essential part of caring for an ill pet,  who may be approaching a transitional period of life, and/or where treatment is no longer helping.

While many animal guardians would prefer their pets pass peacefully in their sleep and/or at home, many dogs and cats can linger for weeks or months in states of suffering, that often only the trusted family veterinarian can assess in an objective, nonjudgmental fashion.  While there are some veterinarians who utilize homeopathic medicines in assisting the transitional process, most of the time chemical euthanasia, through the painless injection of an anesthetic, offers the best option for most animal guardians.   This difficult decision is one that can only be made after careful consideration, thought and discussion with your family veterinarian.

PetMeds® The Evolution of Ultrasound in Veterinary Medicine

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Posted by Dr. Michael Dym, VMD veterinarian on February 2, 2010 – 9:00 am
Filed under Dr. Dym's Vet Blog

When I was doing my externship at the Animal Medical Center in New York City back in 1987, between college and veterinary school, I can recall how the diagnostic use of ultrasound was just starting to be employed in helping sort out difficult diagnostic dilemmas. Twenty three years later, the use of ultrasound is now often considered a routine diagnostic procedure in working up most chronically ill pets in general veterinary practice. Along with baseline blood work, including CBC/differential blood counts, blood chemistry profiles and urine analyses, both x-rays and ultrasound are now considered to be standard components of thorough workups.

 Ultrasounds are now used much more commonly to help make a definitive diagnosis.

Not only can ultrasound detect sensitive organ changes than are often apparent from blood work or x-rays, but ultrasound and ultrasound-guided biopsies now offer much less invasive ways of making a definitive diagnosis; whereas in the past surgery was often needed. The biggest area I have seen ultrasound often circumvent unnecessary surgery is the questionable conclusion of an intestinal foreign body causing vomiting, as well as in differentiating and/or diagnosing inflammatory bowel disease from cancer. Even with ultrasound-guided biopsies, there are occasions where either endoscopy or surgical biopsies are needed to differentiate various chronic digestive disorders in dogs and cats. Ultrasound or echocardiograms of the heart have revolutionized our early detection of heart disease, as well as proper and effective medical management of the specific cardiac disease. An even newer technological development in small animal medicine includes the use of a laparoscope, which is even less invasive than ultrasound in diagnosing early abdominal and chest disorders. With the increasing specialization of both human and veterinary medicine, the use of diagnostic ultrasound, echocardiograms and laparoscopes should only be done by qualified veterinary specialists who perform these tests regularly, rather than general veterinary practitioners, for definitive diagnoses in my opinion.

PetMeds® Diagnosing Eye Problems in Your Pet

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Posted by admin on January 27, 2010 – 8:45 am
Filed under Dr. Dym's Vet Blog
Unlike skin or digestive issues, eye problems are more unique and require a thorough exam to be properly diagnosed

One of the most common on line questions I get is about various eye complaints that may be bothering a dog or cat. Many animal guardians will write or call to say their pet has squinty, itchy, red eyes, with often thick or runny eye discharges, and sometimes little growths around the eyes. While I can often more confidently make at home suggestions for other common problems like skin or digestive tract issues, it is often difficult to accurately suggest at home eye treatments for animal guardians without a proper veterinary exam and consultation first.

Corneal abrasions and/or ulcers are amongst the most common conditions seen, especially in the brachiocephalic breeds like Shih Tzus, Pugs, and Boston Terriers which can result in many of the common symptoms mentioned here. In cats, viral infections such as feline rhinotracheitis or feline herpes virus are commonly involved with eye symptoms, as well as upper respiratory symptoms such as sneezing and nose and eye discharge. Corneal ulcers need immediate and emergency veterinary care, as if not treated quickly and urgently, some ulcers will spread rapidly and even involve deeper structures of the eye, resulting in what is sometimes known as a melting corneal ulcer or descemetocele.

Early treatment for most corneal ulcers with topical antibiotics, antiviral medications, or topical antispasmodic medications such as Atropine can be resolved fairly easily. However, deeper ulcers and/or those that don’t respond well to early medical treatment sometimes need surgical therapy. Red eyes can also be the signs of glaucoma in a pet or even deeper middle eye or retinal problems, which if not treated quickly can result in blindness.  It is for these reasons that if any animal guardian writes or calls me with questions surrounding an eye problem in their pet, that I always recommend an immediate veterinary exam for proper diagnosis and the best possible treatment outcome.

PetMeds® Choosing a Veterinarian for Your Dog or Cat

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Posted by admin on January 21, 2010 – 8:57 am
Filed under Dr. Dym's Vet Blog

When choosing a veterinarian, there are several factors that prospective clients may place more weight on than others. These typically include price, personal referral, and proximity to one’s home.  However, I will briefly go over what I consider to be key things to look for when choosing a veterinarian. The most important characteristic I feel in choosing a veterinarian is to look for someone who not only is experienced in general clinical medicine and surgery with an established and caring support staff, but also a veterinarian who is willing to actually tell a client “I don’t know” when presented with a question they do not know the answer to. Or at the very least the vet should refer cases onto veterinarians who practice in various specialty areas of veterinary medicine. Because our field is becoming as specialized as human medicine, it is nearly impossible for a veterinarian to be proficient and an expert in all areas of veterinary medicine.

In as much as it the same that veterinarians can treat all species of animals, even though we do all still currently receive the same basic 4 year core veterinary education school coursework.  And while that will likely be changing soon, where small animal veterinarians branch out from those interested in large animal medicine midway through veterinary school  training, it is still the common practice that all veterinarians receive basically the same core education during their four years of veterinary school. If your pet has a specific condition, you may want to seek the help of a specialist instead of your routine vet

If a person developed a specialized skin or digestive condition, that individual would be promptly referred on to a human dermatologist or gastroenterologist. The same type of specialization and referral system exists in veterinary medicine and should be utilized by a general veterinary practitioner when appropriate. There are too many clients who spend thousands of dollars on symptomatic treatments for their animals, often without any diagnosis, before sometimes finally being referred to specialists, often having little discretionary income or money left to spend to properly treat their pets. In my opinion, these referrals need to occur much earlier in many cases. Whether it be internal medicine, ophthalmology, dermatology, orthopedics, or oncology (cancer medicine), referrals are critical for optimal care of our animal companions. Another important aspect of veterinary care is the availability or access/referral to 24 hour emergency care. As with us, illness can strike our pets any time of day or night, as well as on weekends or holidays. It is important that your general practitioner have either access to or provide 24 hour veterinary care.

Finally, I consider how much time a veterinarian devotes to a basic wellness exam important as well.  The old standard of practice was for veterinarians to see 4 to 5 patients an hour. However, with increasing information and education of the animal guardian needed in today’s world, I don’t see how a veterinarian can do a truly thorough job without allowing at least 20 minutes for even a wellness exam. I also consider it critical that today’s veterinarian be familiar with current vaccination protocols, and not over vaccinate dogs and cats, given our knowledge of the role over vaccination can play in autoimmune diseases, allergies and even certain cancers.

Most core viral vaccinations do not need to be given more than once every 3 years in most cases, and in many aging and chronically ill pets, vaccinations should be given with caution, if at all.  Each pet should be treated as an individual when it comes to which and how many vaccinations should be given, rather than a one shot fits all approach. Lastly, word of mouth referrals still provide a very important source of information for referrals from friends or relatives. Distance and price would be the least important criteria I would consider. I know that for the right practitioner for my own animal or human family, distance and price would play the least important role in my choice of a health care practitioner.

PetMeds® What is Holistic Veterinary Medicine?

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Posted by Dr. Michael Dym, VMD veterinarian on December 23, 2009 – 10:25 am
Filed under Dr. Dym's Vet Blog
Holistic veterinary medicine is becoming more popular among many veterinarians and pet owners In recent years there has been increasing interest in both the human and veterinary communities for utilizing various holistic modalities in either treating acute or chronic illness as a means of preventing illness in the future. In my opinion, the main reason for interest in these areas is the failure of conventional medicine to address most chronic and especially immune-mediated diseases, where the body’s own immune system is reacting against itself. Depending upon which organ system is the target of immune system attack will determine which symptoms will be experienced and what diseases are ultimately diagnosed.

Most of the particular chronic illnesses are typically treated with powerful immune suppressive medications as well as antibiotics, which often lack any scientific validity or clinical studies as to their benefit. Two of the biggest examples I can mention in every day veterinary practice are cats afflicted with feline urinary tract inflammation, known as feline urologic syndrome (FUS) and dogs diagnosed with degenerating discs in their backs. Both cortisone, nonsteroidal anti inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), and antibiotics are commonly used in both situations, although little data backs up their efficacy in either syndrome.

It is because of the failure of modern conventional medicine in such common and frustrating chronic conditions and/or the side effects seen with many drugs, why clients are seeking out doctors who are learning about or skilled in other methods of treatment. And while my conventional veterinary brethren will often cite lack of evidence based medicine and double blind placebo controlled studies in speaking out against using complimentary medical modalities, they fail to realize that MOST of every day conventional veterinary medical practice is based on individual experience, and not based on their own scientific model of “evidence based” medicine. A practice that is quite hypocritical in my opinion.

And while conventional medicine is wonderful at treating acute diseases such as emergency trauma patients or fractures, in most cases it falls short in truly enhancing long term health in those patients afflicted with chronic disease. As opposed to more and more drugs are needed to control various clinical symptoms and syndromes, as the body ultimately weakens over time.

While people and pets may be living slightly longer than years ago, we are also sicker for longer periods of time, and actually at younger ages than we ever were before in the history of medicine. As we all know, this has placed a huge economic burden on this country, and its reliance on expensive conventional and pharmaceutical medical treatments and surgeries. We’ve seen a similar economic burden placed on the animal guardian as well, because many have become disenchanted to say the least, at the epidemic increases in autoimmune diseases in our beloved feline and canine companions that were rare only a few decades ago.

The reason many doctors are now looking to become trained in holistic modalities is because it is the process of examining the generational health of people and animals as opposed to just an individual approach. Rather than looking at external germs or external stressors or agents outside of the body as causes of the ailments of both people and pets, every true holistic modality of medicine looks at the patient’s own “terrain” and innate weaknesses or susceptibilities as the reason why illness occurs in the first place.

By concentrating on the patient’s side of things through techniques or medicines that strengthen the body’s healing abilities, rather than relying on powerful suppressive drugs and surgeries, that is the basis for long life and health.  Holistic medicine also realizes that everything put on or in the body, whether through diet, vaccination or pesticide can have a short and long term effect on the health of a sensitive individual over time. That’s why it’s so important to feed a healthy diet as Hippocrates the father of medicine stated. “Let food be thy medicine”.

Holistic veterinary medicine has been growing exponentially in recent years to address this growing need and demand of small animal veterinary medicine. Membership in organizations such as The American Holistic Veterinary Medical Association, The Academy of Veterinary Homeopathy, The American Veterinary Chiropractic Society, and The International Veterinary Acupuncture Society has taken off in recent years. To learn more about these various modalities, including where to find a trained veterinary practitioner in these areas, and how they may be of help to especially chronically ill pets, one can start at the websites www.AHVMA.org and www.DrPitcairn.com

When seeking out a holistic veterinarian it’s important to make sure that they are adequately trained in their particular area of interest, and that they receive ongoing continuing education each year. Just as there are great variation in conventional veterinary medical skills and practice, the same can be said of holistic veterinary medical practitioners, especially as there is growing interest and an economic niche seen in this area of veterinary medicine.

PetMeds®: Ruptured Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) in Dogs

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Posted by Dr. Michael Dym, VMD veterinarian on November 11, 2009 – 3:00 pm
Filed under Dr. Dym's Vet Blog

One of the biggest growing and expensive to treat orthopedic epidemics seen in dogs today is the increasing numbers of dogs (and to a much lesser extent of cats) diagnosed with either complete or partial anterior cruciate ligament tear of the stifle (or knee joint of an animal).  When I was in veterinary school back from 1987 through 1991, this was only a rare cause of lameness in dogs, mainly being seen in a few breeds particularly the Rottweiler.  However, both the incidence of this condition and the variety of breeds affected has grown tremendously in recent years. The history may include mild to moderate off and on hind leg lameness that has been sometimes present for weeks or months, or a sudden 3 legged lameness in those pets with a complete tear.

Varying degrees of stiffness can be seen after exercise or rest.  Many of these pets are often tested for Lyme disease, and in fact Lyme disease is often significantly overdiagnosed as a cause of lameness in dogs, as you read in a previous blog.  Most of these pets are middle aged larger breed dogs such as Mastiffs, St. Bernards, Bulldogs, Labrador Retrievers, Akitas, and Rottweilers. However, any sized breed can be affected. While there is an intense search as to a genetic cause of this big increase in the incidence of this condition, there is also some who feel that an immune-mediated disease, where the pet’s own immune system destroys the ligamentous structures of the stifle could also be involved. Lameness is a common symptom of a dog that has a torn ACL

In my opinion, various nutritional factors and over vaccination may be playing roles here.  Unfortunately up to 50% of dogs, who tear one curiae ligament or ACL, are at some point in the future also going to have the other stifle affected. An ACL rupture is often diagnosed by your vet palpating excessive laxity in the knee/stifle known as a positive “drawer” sign. However, in some partial cases this can sometimes be difficult to elicit. Many pets need to be sedated and have appropriate x-rays taken, as well as even some having joint taps to assess the joint fluid, as well as sometimes exploration of the joint to definitively diagnose those sometimes elusive and vague cases.

If your pet is diagnosed with this condition, there are various surgical techniques available from the expensive TPO procedure to many others, but this will vary depending upon the particular surgeon. Even when surgically corrected, some degree of degenerative joint disease and joint thickening often develops at some point in the future.  I have seen lighter and smaller breeds with partial tears often return to normal function with rest, prescription nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications, and joint supplements, regaining adequate use and function of the affected limb over time and patience.

With the breeds especially prone to tearing this ligament, I always recommend a good natural diet such as Azmira, Be Well, or even a proper homemade diet following a balanced recipe.  I will sometimes supplement these pets with extra vitamin C in the form of Ester-C to strengthen the collagen of the connective tissue of the body from doses as low as 500 mg up to a few grams once to twice daily, depending upon the size of the pet.  I also love using antioxidants as well to natural help prevent and reduce inflammation such as Proanthozone, as well as Yucca Intensive by Azmira. Glucosamine/MSM derivatives including Super Joint Enhancer or Glyco-Flex by VetriScience also may help enhance the health of the joints in general.

In those pets where I suspect partial tears or to help facilitate recovery from surgery, I will often recommend pet physical therapy, an emerging area of veterinary medicine that increasing numbers of veterinarians are being trained in. Hopefully by keeping the body healthy through good diet and nutritional supplementation, we can help keep our pets’ joints and ligaments healthy and strong. While there are no guaranteed preventative steps an animal guardian can take, in my practice I try and promote good diet and nutritional supplements to help keep the joints strong and healthy, and hopefully lessening the likelihood of this common and painful orthopedic condition.

PetMeds®: Do Indoor-Only Cats Need Veterinary Exams?

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Posted by Dr. Michael Dym, VMD veterinarian on October 26, 2009 – 2:16 pm
Filed under Dr. Dym's Vet Blog
Indoor cats need the same veterinarian care as cats that are outside This topic is of the more common ones I read about in veterinary journals and how many felines across the country do not get adequate veterinary care or exams. Whether it’s an indoor cat that lives on the 30th floor of a major United States city, or a barn cat that spends most of the time in a hay loft or catching mice in a barn, many such cats get very little veterinary attention.

One of the most important reasons for having a cat regularly examined, (no matter what the lifestyle of the particular animal) is for the simple reason that cats often hide or mask clinical disease, acting seemingly normal to the feline guardian only until they are very sick. While people, dogs, and other pets often express signs of illness readily apparent, many cats do not. Subtle issues such as slight changes in thirst or appetite, coat quality, and digestive tract dysfunction often go unnoticed by even the most observant feline guardian.

Feline periodontal disease is on the increase in all age cats. Cats are often renowned for losing weight suddenly and dramatically, after which a severe chronic disease of long duration is often diagnosed. It is for these reasons that every cat has at least an annual physical exam and oral exam, including a veterinarian listening to the heart for murmurs or abnormal rhythms, and palpating the abdomen for enlargements, areas of pain or organ abnormalities. A fecal sample should be checked to detect hidden parasites that are sometimes a risk to particularly young and immunocompromised people.

After middle age, feline guardians should consider annual wellness blood testing, including a CBC/chemistry and thyroid blood profile, as well as a urine analysis to detect early or hidden disease. Feline guardians should be on the look out for subtle signs of weight loss, including a muscle loss/atrophy over the shoulders and back, as well as increased thirst/urination and appetite or behavioral changes in their cat. While occasional hairball vomiting is sometimes normal in cats, many guardians and even veterinarians over blame hairballs as a cause of chronic vomiting of liquid and food, while in many cases these cats have a chronic metabolic condition, food allergy, or inflammatory bowel condition causing such clinical signs.

We are also becoming increasingly aware of potentially new and emerging diseases such as feline heartworm disease, and feline infectious anemia (known as feline mycoplasma and/or feline Bartonella), which are often transmitted by parasites such as fleas/ticks and mosquitoes. It is for these reasons that many feline guardians choose to have their pets on heartworm preventative medication like Interceptor or Heartgard, as well as flea and tick control products like Advantage and Frontline Plus, even if outside exposure is minimal.

And while in my opinion many of our feline companions are indeed overvaccinated too frequently, certainly a discussion with a progressive veterinarian about which vaccinations, if any are appropriate, given the lifestyle of the cat and laws of the state, should be discussed.

PetMeds®: Eye Discharge in Dogs

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Posted by Dr. Michael Dym, VMD veterinarian on October 19, 2009 – 9:30 am
Filed under Dr. Dym's Vet Blog
Another common question or presentation seen in everyday small animal veterinary practice is, “Why does my dog or cat have runny eyes?” Both canine eye discharge and feline eye discharge can have many causes. In some breeds of pets such as the Persian cat or Boxer the flattened conformation of the face often leads to tear buildup in the skin folds in the corners of the eyes. Many times these mild discharges bother the owner more than the pet, and so I often advise clients to leave such issues alone. Eye discharge can stain the fur around your dog's eyes

Other times eye discharges can sometimes indicate bacterial or viral infections, or can be commonly seen in pets with allergies.  If the discharge is thick or discolored yellow or green than a veterinary exam is certainly recommended.  Sometimes such pets can also have upper respiratory symptoms of sneezing and nasal discharge, which is usually best diagnosed and treated by your veterinarian. Many other pets can have eye discharges because of clogged tear ducts, which again is best evaluated by your veterinarian who can often flush the tear ducts to allow the tears to flow easier, avoiding buildup in the corners of the eyes.

Many dilute colored breeds will often have dark staining under their eyes because of certain pigments in the tears and/or clogged tear ducts, and many clients will often ask about medications to improve the dark discoloration under these pets’ eyes commonly seen in breeds like the Maltese.   There is a very effective product called Angels’ Eyes for dogs and cats that does in fact work quite well, however it relies on the use of using an oral antibiotic called Tylosin, which in my opinion if used long term can lead to imbalance of bacterial populations in the digestive tract and antibiotic resistance of bacteria.  That is why I prefer not to use such a product long term.  Many dogs develop conditions where their eyes don’t produce adequate tears called dry eye or keratitis sicca, which can lead to a thick mucous buildup on the surface or cornea of the eye.  I have found lubricants such as Puralube Vet Ointment and LiquiTears sometimes a more practical economic alternative than the more expensive Optimmune prescribed by many veterinarians.  Also I have learned that using a drop or two of Nordic Naturals Pet Cod Liver Oil directly in the eyes 3 to 4 times daily, as well as giving it orally can also help soothe inflamed, dry or ulcerated eyes.

If the above treatments do not help or your pets eyes are severely red or light sensitive, or develops a reluctance to open the eyes or they appear in spasm, it’s always best to have a veterinary exam to rule out more serious eye infections or ulcers, as well as deeper diseases of the eyes such as glaucoma or uveitis. For simple infections or eye ulcers, I have found the inexpensive prescription antibiotics such as Terramycin or B.N.P. Triple Antibiotic Ophthalmic Ointment as effective as some of the more expensive prescription drugs. Neo Poly Dex Opthalmic eye drops are wonderful for those allergic eye inflammations, as long as your vet has ruled out corneal ulcers or scratches first.

Due to the importance of the eyes and the potential for more serious eye conditions, if a client is ever in doubt, it is always best to have a proper eye exam by either a general veterinary practitioner, or a veterinary ophthalmologist, who specializes in eye diseases, in order to rule out more serious diseases of the cornea and inner sections of the eyes.