Tear Stains on Toy Poodles

Tear stains appear most frequently on light-colored dogs and toy or miniature breeds, such as the toy poodle. The stains, which may darken over time, can be a sign of an underlying problem, rather than simply a cosmetic issue.

  1. Description

    • Tear stains appear on the skin and hair of toy poodles near the inside corner of their eyes and down the side of their noses. The stains are typically brown or pinkish in color.

    Possible Causes

    • According to the "Dog Health Handbook," tear stains are caused by "continuous overflow of tears on to the face." The tears mix with bacteria to discolor the skin and hair. The excessive flow of tears can be caused by a number of factors, including infection, blocked ducts, allergies and even ear infections. Pet Education also notes that toy breeds, in particular, can have anatomical deformities, such as "prominent eyes [...which] stretch the eyelid and cut off the drainage system" causing excessive tearing.

    Treatment

    • Since there can be a number of underlying causes of the tear overflow resulting in tear stains, a veterinarian should be consulted about a toy poodle's health, as well as the best course of treatment. Recommended treatments may include antibiotics, drugs or surgery.