Welcome!
home> Pet Health>

Effective Treatments for Dog Eye Stains: Top Solutions

19. December 2024
Many dogs face a common issue known as tear stains.Tear stains occur when there is an excess of eye

Many dogs face a common issue known as tear stains.

Tear stains occur when there is an excess of eye discharge or when tears cannot properly drain through the nasolacrimal ducts, leading to persistent tear leakage and inadequate cleaning over time. These secretions contain iron, which, when accumulated and exposed to air, oxidizes and forms yellow to brown stains around the eyes.

— Causes of Tear Stains

1. Eye Conditions: The formation of tear stains is often linked to a dog's eye health. Conditions such as conjunctivitis and keratitis, which are eye inflammations, can cause excessive tearing, resulting in tear stains around the eyes.

2. Nasolacrimal Duct Obstruction: Another significant cause of tear stains is nasolacrimal duct obstruction. This can be due to congenital factors like narrow or closed ducts, or acquired issues such as cystic dilatation, infections, and more. Obstruction prevents tears from draining normally, leading to tear stains around the eyes.

3. Genetic Factors: Certain dog breeds are more prone to tear stains due to genetic predispositions. For instance, Chihuahuas, Pekingese, and Pomeranians are more susceptible to epiphora. Additionally, shortnosed breeds like Boston Terriers and West Highland White Terriers, with their curved nasolacrimal ducts, find it harder to drain tears, making them more prone to tear stains.

4. Eye Structure Issues: Conditions like inverted eyelashes, entropion, or long hair around the eyes can stimulate the eyes frequently, leading to excessive tearing.

5. Ear Infections: Ear diseases can also indirectly cause eye discomfort and increased tear production, such as ear mites, otitis media, and Malassezia infections.

6. Poor Diet: Foods with artificial additives may exacerbate tear stains.

— How to Treat Dog Tear Stains?

✔ Diet Adjustment: Choose a diet of easily digestible, bland dog food, avoiding highfat, highsalt, and additiveladen foods to reduce tear production. Additionally, feeding foods rich in vitamins and minerals, such as apples, purple sweet potatoes, and salmon, can help improve tear stains.

✔ Daily Cleaning: Gently wipe your dog's eye discharge and tear stains with a mixture of 20% physiological saline and 80% boric acid solution, followed by a tissue to dry the area. Keep the eyes dry and clean to prevent bacterial growth. After cleaning, use Shan Jing (Jinyinhua Eye Wash) to soothe the eyes and reduce tear production. Also, regularly trim hair around the eyes to avoid irritation.

✔ Eye Massage to Clear Nasolacrimal Ducts: Regularly massage your dog's eyes to promote blood circulation and keep the nasolacrimal ducts open, reducing the formation of tear stains.

✔ Medication: For tear stains caused by eye infections, use antibiotics like Bailangming (Neomycin sulfate eye drops) or erythromycin ointment. If home treatment is ineffective or accompanied by respiratory symptoms, seek medical attention promptly.

✔ Surgery: For some congenital issues, such as nasolacrimal duct obstruction, inverted eyelashes, or entropion, surgery may be necessary.

— How to Massage Your Dog's Nasolacrimal Ducts?

Here's how to correctly perform an eye massage to promote blood circulation and clear the nasolacrimal ducts:

● Preparation: First, wash your hands and warm them up to avoid discomfort for your dog.

● Massage Steps:

① Nasolacrimal Duct Massage: Use the pad of your thumb to gently press on the area near the nose at the front of your dog's eye, then stroke from the eye's front to the tip of the nose, massaging the sides of the nose at the same time. This action stimulates blood circulation and helps keep the nasolacrimal ducts open.

② Upper Eyelid Massage: Gently massage along the eye bone with your fingers, from the corner of the eye up to the brow bone, and then down to the lower part of the eye socket.

③ Lower Eyelid Massage: Similarly, massage along the lower eye socket with your fingers, from the corner of the eye down to the lower eyelid, and then up to the lower part of the eye socket. This helps promote tear drainage and reduce tear stains.

● Frequency and Precautions:

☼ Perform eye massages 3 to 5 times a week to effectively keep the nasolacrimal ducts open and reduce the appearance of tears.

☼ Be gentle with the pressure to avoid injury to your dog's eyes.

☼ Be cautious not to press on the eye during the massage to prevent any harm.

Copyright Statement: This image and text are reprinted from the internet, and the copyright belongs to the original author. If there is any infringement, please contact us for deletion。