Causes of Tear Stains

Numerous light-colored dog breeds suffer from tear stains. The problem can be unsightly. The staining is caused from the normal bacteria living on the animal's skin and hair reacting with the chemical makeup of the tears. The discoloration appears as a dark rust or pink stain. Excessive tearing of an animal's eyes usually occurs from blocked tear ducts. There are several reasons why tear ducts can block and tearing can manifest.

  1. Blocked Tear Ducts

    • The maltese dog breed often suffers from blocked tear ducts.

      Numerous dog breeds are prone to genetic tear-duct blockage. Eyes produce excessive tearing daily to clean and flush the eyes of debris. The tearing normally flows through a duct into the dog's nose where it flows down the throat, out the nose or is reabsorbed by the body. When the duct is blocked or does not exist the tears flow onto the dog's face. Contact a veterinary ophthalmology specialist to discuss having the duct surgically opened. It is estimated that 20 percent of all small dogs are born with blocked tear ducts according to maltesemagic.homestead.com, a site about Maltese dogs.

    Hair Growth

    • Poodles require regular trimming around the eyes to prevent hair growth.

      Certain breeds have hair that must be trimmed regularly. Breeds such as the poodle, Maltese, schnauzer and bichon frise often experience tear staining from excessive hair growth in the corner of the eye. Tiny hairs will irritate and rub the eyeball and eyelid, causing an excessive production of tears that will leak on to the dog's face if hair is not clipped excessively short. Keep the hair trimmed from the dog's eyes regularly. The eye can form an ulcer or suffer inflammation from the ongoing irritation if hair is not removed

    Fleas

    • Watch for fleas on your dog around the eyes.

      Heavy tear staining around a dog's eyes can be an indication of a flea infestation. Fleas gather around a dog's eyes to suck the moisture out to survive. This action causes constant eye irritation and excessive tearing. The staining around the eye can be quite excessive because when the fleas congregate at the eye they defecate digested blood, leaving a reddish trail around the eyes that mixes with the dog's tears.

      Fleas also carry mites that can infect a dog's ear. Ear infections also cause additional tearing of the dog's eyes and ongoing pain.

      Fleas should be treated promptly once an infestation is noticed. Apply topical flea medication, take the dog to the veterinarian for treatment or to a local dog groomer.

    Allergies

    • Food allergies can cause excessive tearing of a dog's eyes.

      Many dogs suffer from environmental or food allergies that can cause excessive tear production. A few dogs are highly sensitive to cigarette smoke, which can cause an overproduction of tears when the dog is exposed to large amounts of smoke.

      If the dog begins to show tear staining then try changing the dog's food because food allergies can also cause tear production. If the food change does not cure the tearing problem then consider changing dog shampoos.

      If the dog's eyes continue to tear then seek the advice of a veterinarian to determine the underlying allergy that the dog might be suffering from.