Can I use my eye drops on my dog?

Q:  “A veterinarian just told me that my Pug, ‘Lilly’, has dry eye. Coincidentally, I have dry eye, too. Can I just use my Restasis drops on her?” – New Pupper Owner

Cyclosporine, the medication found in Restasis, is the same type of drug we use for dogs with dry eyes. Interestingly, dogs require a higher concentration of that drug to be effective, which is the difference between human and canine dry eye medications. It is simply a difference in species. So, in theory, Restasis would not hurt Lilly at all, but it is unlikely to be strong enough to help her.

‘Dry eye’, or keratoconjunctivitis sicca (KCS), does occur with increased frequency in certain breeds, including pugs. In these cases, it is best practice to contact your veterinary team to discuss the symptoms and schedule an appointment. Some dogs require a higher concentration of cyclosporine, which can be formulated by a compounding pharmacy prescribed by your veterinarian, made specifically for an individual patient. Always consult with your veterinarian before administering at-home medications, especially if not prescribed to your dog.

Clinical signs for Lilly include yellow or green discharge, red eyes, or dry/dull appearing corneas, and secondary bacterial infections can occur. Untreated KCS can even decrease vision, eventually leading to blindness. Although dry eye requires lifelong treatment with the potential for future dosage adjustments, this disease can be managed.

Please contact us today for any questions or concerns.