Tear stains are caused by excessive tearing, a symptom known as Epiphora. There are several causes of Epiphora with the most common being genetics, teething puppies and blocked or infected tear ducts.
Genetics can disrupt the process of the normal flow of tears from the tear ducts to a collecting sac and to a tube that drains to the nose. The eye structure of some breeds is unable to support adequate draining of the tear duct. If the excessive tearing is severe, surgery may be needed to open the tear ducts. Some blockages are not so severe to require surgery but can be cleared up by irrigating the tear ducts. Deformities of the tear ducts are commonly found in the Cocker Spaniel, Maltese, Bichon Frise, Miniature Poodle, Pomeranian, American Eskimo and Shih Tzu.
Eye irritation also can result in excessive tearing. The most common irritant is hair around the eyes. Small hairs, too small to be seen by human eye, can touch the eye and cause tearing. A magnifying glass may be needed to locate the small hair. This small hair can act as a wick that draws tears onto the face. Dust, allergies, pollen and smog are some other common irritants.
Bacterial and yeast growth can occur from excessive tearing. The most common, with reddish-brown stains, is “red yeast“ which may also have a strong odor. If this occurs, a prescription medication from your veterinarian will be needed to clear this up.
Teething puppies often have excessive tearing due to their swollen gums putting pressure on the tear ducts. In order to prevent infection, owners need to keep this area of the face clean and dry.
Excessive tearing could be an indication of ocular pain caused by inflammation of the eye or a corneal ulcer. When excessive tearing is present, a visit to your veterinarian should be your first step to make sure it’s not a medical issue that needs to be addressed.
Excessive tearing and facial staining can be caused by the diet you are feeding your pet. Dry food, free from additives and preservatives, has been found to be the best defense against allergies that can cause Epiphora. Facial staining can also be caused by the food bowl and it’s best to use stainless steel bowls. Another cause is high mineral content water, purified or commercial bottled water is recommended to prevent the problem.
Ear infections are also responsible for excessive tearing and staining. To help avoid ear infections, clipping the hair in the ear will allow better air flow and minimize the chances of infection. However, some professionals believe plucking the hair from the ear may cause infection because the open pores could allow bacteria to enter the ear.
It’s important, when bathing your pet, to keep the shampoo out of the animal’s eyes to prevent excessive tearing. Also, try to avoid getting water in the ears and to dry the ear thoroughly after the bath. Some groomers will put cotton in the ears to help prevent water from entering the ear, but it’s very important to remember to remove the cotton as soon as the bath is over. It’s also important to check your pets ears periodically for discoloration or odor, signs of an infection.
There are many products available to minimize tearing and remove stains. Ask your groomer which products they use and recommend. Do not use the home remedy mixture of peroxide and bleach, which can cause serious harm to your pet. The safest option for pet owners, with a clean wet cloth wipe your pet’s eyes twice a day to remove any build up. After the stains have been successfully removed, to prevent more stains add a teaspoon of white vinegar to your pet’s drinking water.
