Dealing with a Dog's Watery Eyes and Eye Discharge

Section 1: Reasons for Excessive Eye Discharge in Dogs

It's generally normal for puppies to have a small amount of eye discharge. However, if a dog frequently has tears and excessive eye boogers, leading to heavy tear stains and an abundance of eye discharge, this may indicate symptoms of上火 (overheating) or eye inflammation. The specific causes can include the following:

1. A diet that is too spicy, greasy, or high in salt, combined with insufficient water intake, can lead to上火 symptoms. It's advisable to adjust the dog's diet promptly.

2. Dogs with congenital eyelash malformation (common in longhaired breeds) may have their eyelashes constantly irritating the surface of their eyes, causing excessive tearing and eye discharge. Regular visits to a vet for eyelash removal or a surgical procedure to address this issue may be necessary.

3. Dogs with congenital nasolacrimal duct obstruction, often seen in small breeds like Bichon Frise and Pomeranian, can experience heavy tear stains and excessive eye secretions, with the lower eyelids remaining moist. Conservative treatment with antioxidant and ductclearing veterinary medications and eye drops, or surgical implantation of a drainage tube, may be options.

4. Dogs with colds, canine distemper, liver disease, or eye conditions such as conjunctivitis, keratitis, and blepharitis caused by bacterial or viral infections can also lead to eye discharge.

Section 3: What to Do If Your Dog Has Excessive Eye Discharge

1. If the dog only exhibits tearing and eye discharge without other physical symptoms, there's usually no need for alarm. This is typically a simple eye condition. It's recommended to use plain gentamicin sulfate eye drops from a vet and to keep the dog's eyes clean and free of discharge and tear stains.

2. To clean the tear stains and eye discharge, use a sturdy paper towel dampened with a little warm water. Gently wipe away the discharge from the eyes after securing the dog's head. Then, use a fresh paper towel to remove the tear stains.

3. Pay attention to the dog's diet. If the dog food has a high salt content, consider switching to a different brand. Avoid giving the dog human food to prevent上火 caused by a heavy diet.

If the dog shows other symptoms in addition to eye abnormalities, it's important to consult a veterinarian online or visit a pet hospital promptly. Once diagnosed, treat the dog according to the vet's advice to address the root cause of the dog's excessive tearing and eye discharge.