Dogs and Tear Stains

Your snow-white poodle is adorable, but the reddish-brown streaks beneath their eyes would make them even cuter. Tear staining and dog eye discharge are common problems, especially in certain breeds. So, what’s causing these problems, and what can you do about it? Four typical questions about dog eye disorders and discharge are answered on biography vibe.

1. What causes tear stains under a dog’s eyes?

Excessive tearing might be caused by irritation in your dog’s eyes or a lack of efficient tear draining.

When annoyed, dogs’ eyes produce tears to flush out any dangerous particles, just like yours do when a speck of dust flies into it. Chronic tears can happen when the eyes are constantly irritated, resulting in stains. Dog eye infections, glaucoma, eyelash or eyelid problems, as well as eye diseases on the surface of the eye, are all conditions that can irritate the eye.

There are little holes in a normal dog eye that drain tears away from the eye and down the throat. Excessively wet eyes can be caused by a variety of dog eye issues that impact this discharge. These are some of the conditions:

Shallow eye sockets: Tears can run out onto the fur surrounding the eyes if the eye sockets aren’t broad or deep enough.

Eyelids that are turned inward: The drainage holes for tears (called puncta) may become blocked if the eyelids move upwards toward the eyeball.
Hair growth around the eye: Tears can be wicked away from the eye and onto the face if hair grows too close to the eye.

Blocked tear drainage holes (puncta): Scar tissue can form as a result of previous dog eye infections or injuries, blocking some of the tear drainage passages.

2. Which types or breeds of dogs are more susceptible to dog eye discharge and tear stains?

Because the pigments in their tears may easily dye light-colored fur, white dogs are more likely to have visible tear staining on their faces, regardless of breed. Excessive tearing may also be more frequent with long hair on their faces.

Because they generally have shallow eye sockets or hair development in skin folds around the eyes, short-nosed dog breeds like the Shih-tzu, Pekingese, and pug are prone to severe tearing. Also, blocked tear ducts are more frequent in cocker spaniels and poodles than in other breeds.

3. Can the dog eye problems that cause tear stains be treated?

It all depends on what’s causing the extreme tearing. Because dog eye discharge is impossible to prevent due to shallow eye sockets, the goal in this situation is to reduce skin irritation and coat discoloration.

If your dog’s tear stains are caused by irritation in their eyes, removing the source of irritation will assist. This may involve keeping hair near the eyes trimmed short and treating any infection or glaucoma that may be present.

Certain eyelid or eyelash issues can be treated surgically to restore normal tear drainage and eliminate overflow over the face.

4. What can I do to get rid of my dog’s tear stains?

Although reddish-brown stains might be difficult to remove, there are certain treatments that can help. Among them are:

• Whitening products: Tear stains can be removed by cleaning them with hydrogen peroxide or using specific grooming products made for pet fur. Just don’t get it in your eyes.

• Regular washing of your dog’s face.

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