Common Causes of Dog Excessive Tear Production: What Yo
It's generally quite normal for dogs to have watery eyes, much like humans. Just as with us, if a foreign object gets into a dog's eye, it will produce tears to keep the eye moist and to help dislodge any foreign particles. This is a natural response to maintain eye health. If tears are a result of dust or foreign objects, there's usually no need to worry. Just observe whether the tears are clear. Healthy eye discharge in dogs is typically lightcolored and turns brown when dry, forming hard clumps in the inner corners of the eyes that are easy to clean.
However, if the tears and eye discharge don't seem to fit this pattern, it's important to take a closer look at your dog's overall health. Is there an illness, or could there be another underlying cause?
Inherited Conditions
Some dogs have an excessive tear production, known as primary tear overproduction, which can lead to noticeable tear stains over time. This is a genetic condition often caused by poor breeding practices.
Entropion
Check your dog's eyelids and eyelashes for signs of entropion, where the eyelashes grow inward. This can cause dry, hard eye discharge in dogs.
Dietary Reasons
A dog that eats too much or has an overly rich diet may experience an increase in tear production and severe eye discharge. This could be due to overindulgence, inflammation, or high salt content in the dog food. If your furry friend seems otherwise healthy but has an abundance of tears and eye discharge, this might be the reason.
Epiphora
This condition occurs when the tear glands become infected, leading to abnormal and excessive tear secretion. Since the tear ducts may not be able to handle the overflow, tears spill out, eventually causing unsightly tear stains.
Ear Infection
When a dog's ear canal is infected, or if there's swelling and pain, the dog may frequently scratch at its ears with its hind legs. The facial nerves are dense and sensitive, and since the ear canal is connected to the eye, discomfort deep within the ear can trigger excessive tear production. If these tears can't be drained through the tear ducts, they may溢出 near the nose, leading to persistent tears and, over time, unsightly stains.
Brachycephalic Breeds
This issue is often seen in breeds with short noses, such as Pugs and Shih Tzus. Their short snouts can cause the tear ducts to curve significantly, limiting the amount of tear drainage. Even normal tear production can be too much for their tear ducts to handle, resulting in prominent tear stains.
Don't rush to worry if your dog is experiencing excessive tearing. Spend quality time with your furry companion, and you'll be able to notice any issues early on. If you're unable to resolve the problem, seek veterinary care promptly!
