Reasons for Dog's Tears & Medications Needed

Recent concerns have been raised by some pet owners who've noticed their dogs frequently shedding tears. In some cases, the tears have led to the formation of brown stains beneath the eyes. Upon examination, no foreign objects were found to be irritating the eyes. But what could be causing this? And what medications can help? Don't worry, today we're here to shed light on the common reasons behind a dog's watery eyes and how to address them effectively.

Understanding and Treating Doggy Tears

Dogs can have a variety of reasons for their watery eyes, and here are some of the most common ones:

1. Poor Hygiene

It's possible that your dog's eyes are being irritated by hair, dust, or dried eye boogers, which are often overlooked by owners. If left unchecked, these irritants can lead to persistent tearing and the development of brown stains under the eyes.

Here's how to handle it:

Use saline solution or a petspecific eye wash to gently clean your dog's eyes, following the instructions on the product. This can be done by rinsing or simply wiping the area, once or twice a day.

Keep the environment clean to minimize dust and hair that could irritate the eyes.

Apply a cleaning eye drop, such as Shan Jing (Jinyinhua Eye Drops), once or twice daily to maintain eye health.

2. Eye Infections

Conditions like conjunctivitis, keratitis, and blepharitis can cause a dog to constantly tear up. These issues might be due to trauma, bacterial, parasitic, or viral infections, and can be accompanied by symptoms like excessive eye discharge, redness, swelling, difficulty opening the eyes, photophobia, and lethargy.

Here's how to treat it:

Wipe away any discharge with a cotton ball soaked in saline solution to prevent infection from worsening.

Relieve eye inflammation with Bailangming (Neomycin Sulfate Eye Drops) or levofloxacin eye drops, applying them two to three times a day.

If home remedies don't improve the situation, or if your dog shows additional symptoms like fever, runny nose, cough, loss of appetite, vomiting, or diarrhea, it's best to seek veterinary care promptly.

3. Nasolacrimal Duct Obstruction

When a dog's nasolacrimal ducts are blocked or too narrow, tears can't drain properly, leading to overflow and tear stains. For mild cases, you can try daily 15minute warm compresses and massage to the lacrimal glands, while keeping the eye area clean. If symptoms persist, it's advisable to take your dog to a vet, as surgery may be necessary to clear the duct.

Can Dogs Cry from Sadness?

No, dogs do not cry from sadness. Behavioral experts generally believe that dogs can express emotions such as attachment, anxiety, and fear through a range of behaviors, including:

Reduced activity levels

Seeking a hiding spot

Increased breathing rate and shivering

Avoiding eye contact

Producing specific sounds

While dogs may tear up in certain situations, it doesn't necessarily mean they are experiencing complex emotions like sadness. Their tears might simply be a physiological response or a stress reaction to the environment.

Therefore, if your dog is frequently tearing up, consider factors like irritants like hair, dust, or allergens, as well as conditions like conjunctivitis or corneal ulcers.