From Thursday the 2nd until Sunday the 5th of June, took place the annual meeting of the European College of Veterinary Ophthalmologists (ECVO) at the Salzburg Congress in Salzburg (Austria).
Even still under the shadow of Covid-19, more than half of the 450 ophthalmologists registered at the congress, decided to follow the different conferences in person, having to travel from different countries in Europe, such as the United Kingdom, Germany, Sweden, Finland, France, etc. or even from even more distant locations such as America or Asia.
Dr.Vet Pet Care successfully presented in its booth to all attendees its unique and innovative ophthalmological line, indicated for patients with pathologies such as glaucoma, cataracts, retinopathies, dry eye disease/keratoconjunctivitis sicca and palpebral pathologies. This range of nutraceutical products for veterinary ophthalmology has natural, effective and specific components to help alleviate, prevent or improve the symptoms of different eye diseases.
Both, companies and veterinarians showed great interest in the different products as well as the possibility of their acquisition in their respective countries. Dr+Vet Pet Care was able to reaffirm its commitment to promoting veterinary learning, establishing itself as a trusted brand for ophthalmologists and strengthening its relations with the veterinarians, in order to provide products that helpsimproving animal’s health, their quality of life and also, highlight the importance of the prevention of certain ocular diseases.
Today we'll be presenting the key points of one of the most common ocular diseases in dogs: Dry Eye Disease or Keratoconjunctivitis Sicca.
Keratoconjunctivitis Sicca is an ocular surface (cornea and conjunctiva) inflammatory disease secondary to at least one of the tear film phases deficiency that causes tear hyperosmolarity. This hyperosmolarity and increased friction will lead to secondary infections, dehydration and malnutrition of the cornea and conjunctiva and to an increased probability of corneal ulcerations. Chronic inflammation of the ocular surface will also end up generating conjunctival hyperaemia, hyperkeratinization and thickening of the corneal epithelium, corneal vascularization with increased migration of inflammatory cells and the corneal deposition of pigment, lipids, and calcium. The prognosis is usually favourable, although it will depend on the cause and whether an early effective and individualized treatment is implemented.
There are two major classifications of Keratoconjunctivitis Sicca:
Qualitative: Pathological decrease of the lipid or mucoid components of the tear film. In this case, the lacrimal gland is functional and the tear hyperosmolarity is due to an increase in its evaporation rate. The cause can be an acute/chronic damage or inflammation of the Meibomian glands and/or the conjunctiva goblet cells, such as in cases of infectious blepharitis, seborrheic dermatitis, etc.
Quantitative: Pathological decrease of the aqueous component of the tear film. In this case, hyperosmolarity is due to reduced secretion of the aqueous component under normal evaporation conditions. This is the most common initial presentation in dogs, although in most cases, a vicious circle is generated in which the other types of components of the tear film are also affected in the end.
Quantitative Keratoconjunctivitis Sicca causes are varied, such as infectious diseases, endocrine diseases, systemic immune-mediated/autoimmune diseases, iatrogenic (surgical), etc. although the most common is a localized and chronic immune-mediated inflammation of the lacrimal gland (immune-mediated adenitis). There are dog and cat breeds that are more predisposed, as we already mentioned in one of our previous posts in our social networks (Instagram, Linkedin), such as brachiocephalic breeds, West Highland White Terrier, Cocker Spaniel and American, etc.
The symptoms that may occur are: very characteristic mucous exudate, conjunctival hyperaemia, opaque cornea with neovascularization, oedema and corneal ulceration, etc.
To reach its diagnosis, we will have to look at the patient’s clinical history, to perform a general and ophthalmoscopic examination, if we suspect of systemic pathologies also some blood test and/or other complementary tests, and of course some specific ophthalmological tests: Shirmer Test, Fluorescein Stain, Lissamine Green Stain, TBUT (Tear Break-up Time), Impression Cytology and Osavet Test.
There are several types of systemic and topical medical treatments such as replacement tears (there is a great variety), topical immunosuppressants, etc. and in most of the cases, they will be prescribed at the same time. In addition, if there are secondary problems such as corneal infections or ulcers, they will also have to be treated. There are also surgical procedures such as transposition of the parathyroid duct, among others.
Another essential asset to help improve Keratoconjunctivitis Sicca symptoms, with proven efficacy in dogs, will be the supplementation with specific nutraceuticals such as Lacrimalis, rich in Omega-3 Fatty Acids that will improve tear quality, stability and its secretion, Lactoferrin with anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties on the ocular surface and antioxidants such as Vitamins E and C and the minerals Zinc and Copper.
Dr+Vet Pet Care by Böthmen Pharma, will be presenting each one of the different ophthalmological tests that we have mentioned in this article during the following weeks in association with Instituto Veterinario Oftalmológico (IVO) so you can learn more about them, stay tuned for more information!
