dry eye

I was told that my 1 1/2 year old has dry eye, he is allergic to the medicine, it turned all red. Now I'm treating with tears & Erythromycin. Really hurts him first thing in the morning. Any suggestions?
Marianne Descalzo

• 1 1/2 yrs seems awfuly young for a diagnosis of dry eye(though not impossible). Do you know how this was diagnosed? Usually it is done with a schirmer(sp?) tear test where a special strip of paper is put in the corner of the eye and held inplace for 60 seconds to measure the amount of tears produced. Treatment is usually with a liquid or ointment form of artificial tears or in severe cases a Cyclosporin type of medicine can sometimes help. Shering makes one called Optimune ointment or your vet can have your pharmacist make up a special formulation. Both of these can be rather expensive however. It may be that you dog just has a severe conjunctivitis however and if you believe he is allergic to the medication your vet prescibed please call him/her and see if you can get some other medication that may work better. Hope this helps... You may want to see another vet for a second opinion or even ask your vet about a referral to a speciallist if you are not satisfied with the treatment.