What are tear ducts for?
To lubricate the eyes, a thin layer of tears is created, and the surplus fluid drains into the lacrimal ducts, or tear ducts, which are positioned in the corner of the eye near the nose. Tears are drained into the back of the nose and throat through the nasolacrimal ducts.
Why has my dog got tear stains?
Dog tear stains, also known as eye stains or tear markings, are a type of discoloration or residue left behind by a dog's ocular discharge. Epiphora, or weepy eyes, refer to dogs who have a greater rate of ocular discharge than others. Bulldogs and Pugs are the most prevalent breeds that exhibit this characteristic.
Tear stains often appear as a rusty-red or brown stain on the insides of your dog's eyes. Stains like this can also be spotted in your dog's private regions or in his mouth. The stain appears red owing to the presence of porphyrin, a chemical found in human hemoglobin as well as your dog's excreta such as pee, excrement, tears, and saliva.
A regular tear stain is red, but if the stain is rusty brown or dark brown in colour, it might be an indication of a yeast infection, which develops owing to the presence of persistent moisture and germs.
Now that you know what tear stains look like, it's time to learn why they form on your dog in the first place. Tear masks are caused by an excessive amount of tears flowing down the outside of your dog's face rather than through the normal routes of the tear ducts. A number of variables may play a role in your dog's development of this condition.
If your dog's tear production appears to be excessive, visit a veterinarian. It will assist in determining whether the problem is caused by an underlying medical condition.
Infections of the eyes or ears: Infections of the eyes, such as conjunctivitis, often known as ping eye, cause excessive watering in both people and dogs. Did you know, however, that even a bacterial infection in the ear can cause epiphora in the eye nearest to it? As a result, never neglect to get your dog examined by a veterinarian on a regular basis.
Allergies and other irritants are common. Many common environmental variables can induce an allergic response in your dog, including pollen, smoke, dust, seasonal irritants, cleaning agents, and other environmental irritants. This allergic reaction might cause an excessive amount of tears to be produced by the eyes. Even if no environmental allergens are present, your dog's eyes may try to clear themselves of any debris or dust, resulting in epiphora.
Diseases are present.The tear ducts might be damaged or blocked if your dog has an eye illness such as glaucoma or cataract (click here to know all that you must know as a dog guardian about cataracts in dogs). Unnatural discharge and ocular tear stains develop as a result of this. Consult your veterinarian right away if you see any signs that your dog is suffering from glaucoma.
Damage to the eye. One of the most prevalent causes of eye stain is damage caused by your own dog touching his or her eye repeatedly when it is inflamed. Scratching can cause scarring in the tissue around the eye, as well as the cornea. Scarring can irritate and discolour the skin even more. As a result, you must understand how to avoid tear stains in dogs in the first place.
Bad diet. We all want to provide our dogs with the finest and healthiest nutrition possible. However, commercially available dog food, particularly those of the low-cost kind, may include excessive levels of fillers and preservatives, both of which can do your pooch harm. You should also keep an eye on how much water your dog drinks. If the water contains a lot of iron, minerals, or other toxins, it might cause eye stains in dogs.
Some breeds have shallow eye sockets. Bulldogs, Shih Tzu, Boxers, Pugs, and other brachycephalic dog breeds are examples. These breeds' canines have wide and short skulls, which results in shallow eye sockets in dogs. Shallow eye sockets imply that the eyes will take longer and have a harder difficulty adequately emptying tears through the eye duct, resulting in excessive crying. This issue becomes much worse When such canines get duct lockage or have eye discomfort.
Overgrown hair getting in their eyes. If your dog's hair around the eyes is long, it may coil up and enter the eyes, causing tears to be produced. Long hair also tends to soak tears away from your dog's eyes and down their head. Hair can also obstruct the dog's tear ducts, preventing tears from entering the normal tear duct channels. Short-haired dogs, on the other hand, are prone to dog eye stains. It makes no difference whether your dog's coat is long or short. Regular grooming is necessary to avoid eye stains and should not be overlooked at any cost.
inverted eyelids. Dogs with shallow eye sockets are more likely to have this problem. Entropion is the medical term for this ailment. The dog's eyelids tend to curl inwards against the eye in this situation. As a result, the eyelashes itch and, in some circumstances, scrape the cornea. These dogs may also have clogged tear ducts.
Eyelashes that have grown inward. Ingrown eyelashes are an issue for dogs, just like ingrown eyelashes are a problem for humans. An ingrown eyelash can cause a variety of issues, such as blocking the tear duct or causing persistent discomfort to the eye, resulting in excessive tears and wetness.
Teething. Puppies' puppy teeth usually appear between the ages of 8 and 10 weeks. When they are 4 to 7 months old, their adult teeth replace their puppy teeth. Teething is a difficult procedure for puppies because it puts a lot of strain on their tear ducts, creating extensive tearing and tear stains.
Best ways of removing stains.
Clean your dog's eyes regularly. Keep the area around your eyes as clean as possible. Clean your eyes frequently throughout the day. Allow no time for the stain to set in. You may do this by using an excellent tear stain remover. These are often available in powder, liquid, wipe, or paste form. Liquid removers are an excellent choice for loosening the crust before removing it from your dog's fur. They don't irritate your dog's skin. The paste dog eye stain removers, on the other hand, are fantastic for treating germs in your dog's rolls and wrinkles. For wrinkled dogs like Pugs and Boxers, paste removers are highly advised. Wipes are the greatest option for physically eliminating the crud that builds up around the eye. Powder removers, last but not least, are the greatest alternative for keeping your dog's face dry, but they are not suggested for daily usage.Using a damp washcloth, wash the muzzle hair with dry shampoo or waterless shampoo. You may also use a paper towel soaked in 3 percent hydrogen peroxide. After that, comb and blow-dry the hair.
Get the hair trimmed around the eyes. Take your dog to your local dog groomer or vet to have their eyes trimmed. we recommend you don't do this yourself as it is a skilled job and you can do permanent damage to your dog's eyes.
Apple cider Vinegar. For dogs, apple cider vinegar is a godsend. The entire list of apple cider vinegar advantages for dogs may be seen here. Meanwhile, apple cider vinegar might help with dog eye spots from the inside. To use apple cider vinegar, add 1 teaspoon to your dog's food or water on a daily basis. Apple cider vinegar is less hazardous than hydrogen peroxide and can be used topically. To erase existing stains, dilute the vinegar with water and apply topically. Avoid getting Vinegar in your eyes at all costs, since it can hurt quite badly. Again, it's best to use Vinegar pre-mixed with other components so that it's gentler on your dog's skin.
Better diet. Specific substances (such as overprocessed food) included in commercially available dog diets can also produce rip scars in dogs. Hard water or the presence of particular substances might cause greater tear staining or even allergic responses in your dog, resulting in excessive tearing. If your dog's diet is balanced and includes actual whole foods, it will not only help to reduce tear stains but will also help to maintain your dog's health and avoid tear stain production.
Give your dog mineral or filtered water. If your dog has rusty coloured stains, the presence of too many minerals in his water might aggravate the problem. For a few weeks, exclusively give your dog filtered water and see whether it makes a difference in your dog's tear marks. Additionally, only allow your dog to drink water from clean bowls or water sources; do not allow them to drink from puddles. Also, check to see whether your dog's water dish is clean and free of any gaps that might hold hazardous bacteria. For your dog's water dish, use a stainless-steel bowl.
Keep your dog dry. To avoid the eater becoming gathered in the creases of your dog's skin, use paper towels to absorb the excess water around their mouth after they finish drinking water. You may also use cornstarch to dust certain areas on the face, such as behind the eye, around the nose, and in between the toes. In such circumstances, use caution. Flush out the irritants with an eye rinse before they have a chance to trigger an allergic reaction. Consult your veterinarian for the finest eye flush for your dog.
Keep their face hair trimmed, groomed, and tidy. Shortening your dog's facial hair can help lessen or eliminate staining in two ways: If the hair is clipped on a regular basis, the stain will fade quickly, and shorter hair is easier to clean than longer hair. Tear marks might be more difficult to remove with longer hair, as previously stated.
Feed your dog blueberries. as a treat. Blueberries are not toxic for dogs and have many health benefits for dogs including preventing tear stains.
During allergy season, be especially cautious. Allergies affect dogs in the same way that they affect humans. Excessive watering of the eyes can be caused by allergies. If your dog raced through newly raked leaves or breezed in a pollen-filled field during your stroll, he or she is likely to tear up excessively a few hours later.
What breeds are most prone to getting tear stains.
While white-coated dogs are more likely to have tear stains, any dog might have them. Small breeds with long hair on the face, such as Toy Poodles, Maltese, West Highland White Terriers, Shih Tzu, Lhasa Apsos, and Bichons Frises, are the most affected. Small hairs in the lower border of the lid edge of these breeds act as wicks for eye moisture and tears. Tear stains are also common in mixed breeds with any of these breeds in their heritage.
Remove the dog tear spots from behind your puppy's eyes to make them look even cuter.
Your puppy is undeniably adorable. To be honest, I have yet to encounter a dog that isn't adorable and appealing. There is, however, one approach to enhance your dog's attractive qualities. No way! I'm not talking about getting your dog's fur colored or getting a cosmetic treatment for him or her. I'm talking about getting rid of the dog tear stains that appear under your dog's eyes.