Causes of Smelly Dog Eyes: Common Issues Explained
Many breeds, such as the famous Xi Shi, the Cocker Spaniel, the Maltese, and the Toy Poodle, often suffer from excessive tear stains and fine hair around their eyes and faces. Dogs with short noses, like the Pug, are also prone to this issue. These breeds have facial and nasal skin folds that trap moisture, which is then absorbed into the hair shafts, creating a perfect breeding ground for bacteria.
Additionally, dogs that rub their faces with their paws can introduce extra bacteria, fungi, and dirt, potentially damaging the skin or eye surface.
Addressing the Issue:
The first step is to consult a veterinarian. Excessive tearing can be caused by either overproduction of tears or a blocked tear duct, which typically leads to tears not draining properly.
Your vet will examine your dog's eyes and may use a painless, harmless dye called fluorescein to check the cornea's condition (to rule out ulcers) and observe the dye's flow to determine if the tear ducts are functioning normally and how they should be draining. Dogs with reduced tear flow or blockages may require additional tests to determine the cause.
Inflammation, hair, tumors, congenital malformations, injuries, and scars are all potential reasons for damaged or blocked tear ducts.
Identifying the cause is the first step. If the condition is treatable, tear stains and odor issues often resolve on their own.
Dogs with eyelashes growing inward (a condition known as entropion) and other eyelash diseases experience excessive tearing that can cause irritation and tear stains.
Eye lid surgery is often used in these cases. Once the irritation is removed, the tear stain problem usually resolves on its own.
If the Problem Persists:
Some dogs are born with, have small, or malformed tear ducts or facial folds that interfere with tear drainage. Some cases can be surgically corrected, while others are more challenging.
Given that this issue involves the eyes, extreme caution must be exercised to avoid introducing any foreign objects (shampoos, ointments, or other topical agents) that could harm or irritate the eyes.
Maintaining Clean Eyes:
Visit your veterinarian regularly.
As a home maintenance measure, try to trim hair around the eyes as short as possible.
Clean the area daily, one to two times a day. Tear stain wipes and cleaners can be safely used to keep the eye area clean and odorfree.
Veterinary眼科 antibiotics prescribed by your vet can be used for the eyes and surrounding skin.
A warm compress (wet cloth) may help soothe inflamed skin.
A cone (Ecollar) may be necessary to reduce friction and scratches until the eye and skin areas calm down due to treatment.
In severe cases of tear duct and/or surrounding skin infections, your vet may prescribe oral antibiotics.
Overthecounter products are available to address the issue and the discoloration (hair coloring) caused by excessive tear stains. These products contain tetracycline hydrochloride, an antibiotic, and are not recommended for longterm use as they may contribute to bacterial resistance.
Products that bleach or color hair can also be harmful to the eyes and are not recommended. If your pet shows any signs of illness, consult a veterinarian immediately.
