Severe Weeping Traces on Bichon Frise? Solutions to the

Owners of Bichon Frise dogs may encounter a particularly pesky issue: tear stains. These are the unsightly redbrown marks that appear under a dog's eyes, not only affecting the Bichon's appearance but also potentially signaling health concerns. If left untreated for too long, they can lead to infections of the eyes and skin. So, what should you do when your Bichon's tear stains become particularly severe?

Understanding the Origin of Tear Stains

Firstly, it's important to understand that tear stains are the result of excessive tear secretion, which flows from the corners of the eyes and oxidizes in the air, turning into those unattractive redbrown marks.

Therefore, to effectively remove your dog's tear stains, you need to focus on two key points:

1. Identify and resolve the cause of the excessive tear secretion.

2. Prevent the oxidation of the tears that leads to staining.

What to Do When Your Bichon's Tear Stains Are Severe

1. Nasal Duct Obstruction

Nasal duct obstruction is a common issue that can lead to severe tear stains in dogs. The nasal duct is a narrow passage connecting the dog's nose to its eyes, allowing tears to drain into the nasal cavity.

When the nasal duct is blocked, tears accumulate in the tear sac and then overflow from the corners of the eyes.

● Solutions:

First, take your dog to a veterinarian for tear quantity testing and a fluorescein test to determine if the nasal duct's drainage function is normal.

If nasal duct obstruction is confirmed, the vet can flush and clear the ducts after anesthetic (some very wellbehaved dogs may not require anesthesia). If flushing is ineffective, a nasolacrimal duct intubation procedure may be necessary for treatment.

2. Entropion or Inverted Eyelashes

Some dogs may have inverted eyelids or overgrown eyelashes that repeatedly irritate the cornea, leading to increased tear production.

Entropion needs to be addressed promptly to prevent conditions like keratitis or conjunctivitis.

● Solutions:

Dogs with entropion often show signs of discomfort, such as halfclosed eyes, frequent blinking, and red conjunctiva.

If you notice inverted eyelashes, take your dog to a vet or pet grooming salon regularly to have them removed. Additionally, treatments like cryosurgery, electrocautery, or eyelid surgery can be performed by a vet to permanently resolve the issue of recurrent eyelash growth.

Proper Daily Care Measures

1. Diet Adjustment: Feed your Bichon Frise a diet of light, easily digestible foods, avoiding leftovers and particularly spicy or greasy foods.

2. Eye Cleaning: Regularly wipe your dog's eye area with physiological saline or a petspecific eye cleaning solution to keep the area dry and clean. This can help reduce tear stains. After cleaning, you can apply a drop of Shan Jing (Jinyinhua Eye Solution) to soothe eye discomfort, clear away foreign particles, and prevent eye irritation that can lead to excessive tear production.

3. Environment Improvement: Regularly clean your dog's bed and avoid taking your pet to dusty or pollenheavy areas to reduce eye irritation.

4. Eye Massages: Gently massage your dog's eye area daily to alleviate discomfort and aid in the drainage of the nasal ducts.

In summary, when dealing with severe tear stains in your Bichon Frise, it's crucial to pinpoint the exact cause and then address it accordingly. Additionally, pay close attention to your dog's daily eye care to maintain hygiene and prevent tear stains from forming due to oxidation.