Frustrated is one feeling that a dog owner would feel when they saw a reddish-brown streak in their dog’s eyes. There are different causes that a dog tear stain occurs, and many would say that it’s due to genetics, breed characteristics, and white fur breeds. Meaning, dog tear stains are much more noticeable in breeds with white or light coats. And it is caused by both medical and external factors.
Are Dog Tear Stains Permanent?
Dog tear stains aren’t permanent. You can remove it with some home remedy or buy aa remover. But before buying and applying a remover, you need to consult a vet first.
In this article, you will learn that dog tear stains aren’t permanent. We will also give you lists of a variety of dog eye problems that affect the drainage, causing excessively watery eyes.
Cause Of Dog Tear Stain
Excessive tearing is one of the effects of a dog’s eye irritation or if their tears aren’t draining properly. Dog’s like humans, when there’s a speck of dust blow into it, they cry to flush away those harmful things.
But when their eyes are irritated, it is another story because it can lead to chronic tearing that produces stains. And conditions that might irritate their eye include infection, glaucoma, eyelash, or eyelid problems.
But as said by many, it can be removed as long as you immediately take care of it. One remover that a dog owner can use is the dog stain removers that are available online. There are also natural solutions, like blueberries. Read “Do Blueberries Help With Dog Tear Stains?” for more.
A tear stain remover will work, but remember to always ask your vet first before purchasing one. It’s to avoid any side effects that might take whenever you use a dog tear stain remover bought online.
Different Variety Of Dog Eye That Affects Drainage
In a normal dog eye, you will notice that there is a small hole that helps drain the tears away from the eye to the throat. That is why we listed some dog eye problems that cause excessively watery eyes, and here are some of those:
1. Shallow eye sockets – when the eyes aren’t big or deep enough, the tears spill out around the dog’s eyes.
2. Inward Eyelids – if the eyelids roll in towards the eyeball. Then the puncta, which are the drainage holes for tears, are being blocked.
3. Hair growth around the eyes – can wick the tears from the eyes and onto the face because the hair grows too close to the dog’s eyes.
4. Blocked Drainage holes – dogs drainage holes can be affected by the previous dog eye infection or eye damage that causes scar tissue. And when there are scars, it blocks some of the drainage passage for their tears.
Conclusion
Overall, dog tear stains aren’t permanent and can be removed immediately with one of the best dog tear stain removers, if you know what causes it. We also learned that one cause is the blockage of the tear drainage that can be caused by an eye infection or eye damage.
And we listed dog eye variety to know and understand more what causes blockage of tear drainage. A dog tear stain can be removed by dog tear remover, but remember to always advise your vet first before buying.
It is also a good idea to try to prevent tear stains as much as possible. Buying dog food that guards against tear stains is a good start. This is generally food that contains only natural and healthy ingredients.
Can Tear Stains Be Removed?
Tear stains are a common occurrence not only to dogs but to cats too. If not removed immediately and properly, it can cause skin irritation, discomfort, and even a bad odor. That is why other dogs or cat owners remove it as soon as possible so it won’t harm their pets anymore.
Can tear stains be removed? Tear stains can be removed by simply wiping it with water or products designed to remove tear stains. Groomers or a vet can also remove it if you are unsure how to remove it.
In this article, I will list down ways to help you remove the tear stain effectively.
Ways To Help You Remove Stains
1. Wipe it with a damp cloth – if you see teardrops on your dog’s face, wipe it away with a damp cloth and tap water. Some people would say that you should put soap on it, but if the drop is fresh, it isn’t necessary.
Just be very gentle when cleaning around your dog’s eyes because water or the cloth’s edges can get into their eyes. That might cause another irritation to them.
2. Tear stain remover – can be used to remove set-in tear stain, but before applying it, consult your vet first. However, there are natural or herbal products that are considered safer for the removal of your dog’s tear stain. Blueberries are good example. The antioxidants in blueberries can get rid of your Yorkie’s tea stains.
Care is still needed because there are misleading labels, meaning a “natural” product may still contain synthetic chemicals. That’s why it’s better to seek your vet’s advice first, who knows, they might have a product in stock for you. We also have a list of the best tear stain removers for Yorkies and other dogs.
3. Ask a groomer or vet to remove it – if the stains look very bad and crusty, then that’s when you’ll need the expert’s hand to remove it. Some vets have technical staff that handles tear stains or go to a groomer for the removal.
You can also ask the groomer or the vet to trim around your dog’s eyes, especially if it usually accumulates in that area.
4. Antibiotics – tear stains can sometimes be caused due to excessive production of molecules called the porphyrins. To correct this condition, antibiotics are the solution.
But to be able to take your dog an antibiotic, consulting your vet is still essential. And for them to prescribe an antibiotic, they still need to examine your dog.
Though some vet does not strongly recommend it, still there are dog owners who prefer to use it. Some of the products they use are doxycycline, metronidazole, and enrofloxacin.
If your vet happens to recommend one of these products, note that you need to follow their prescriptions strictly.
Common Types Of Eye Discharge In Dogs
Experts say that the tear stains are one of the common types of eye discharge in dogs. To know more about what are the others, check below:
A Crust or A little Goop
It is developed when tears normally drain through the ducts located at the dog’s eye corner. It is made of dried tears, oil, mucus, dust, and dead cells and is usually clear or slightly reddish-brown.
Watery Eyes
Is when your dog received a face full of dust. It can also be associated with many different conditions from severe to serious. Some common causes are allergies, irritants, anatomical abnormalities, corneal wounds, and glaucoma.
White-Gray Mucus
Or a dry eye usually develops when the dog’s immune system attacks and destroys the glands that produce tears. That if left untreated, it can result in severe discomfort or worse is blindness.
Conclusion
To conclude, tear stains can be removed if you immediately notice that giving your dog antibiotics will help remove it but with the vet’s prescription first. And you also learned that tear stains are a common eye discharge in a Dog like the watery eyes, a crust, and white-gray mucus.
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