Tear Stains
Why are Vets & Judges Concerned about Tear Stains ?
Excessive tearing in dogs (called epiphora) and red and brown tear staining is not merely a cosmetic nuisance. It is a symptom of disease, poor diet, allergies, genetic predisposition or physical malfunction.
Many Frenchies have excessive red tearing but it doesn’t show on their dark coat or mask, unlike this light coloured Frenchie.
What Causes It? Excessive tears running down a dog's face has two causes: too many tears produced or insufficient tear drainage. Epiphora caused by too many tears is an automatic response to irritants such as dust, infection, allergens, poor diet or a health problem. Think of tearing as a symptom of a health problem as you would if you had a runny nose. It's one way bodies rid themselves of toxins. Epiphora can also result when normal tearing doesn't drain properly because of structural defects (genetics) or blockage or inflammation of the tear ducts.
What if there is sudden onset tear staining in an adult dog ? If you have recently changed your dog’s diet, either switch back then make the change to the new food more gradual or gradually change to another food.
If your dog has moved to a new home or you have new carpeting, furniture, a new pet or family member or other changes around your house or garden suspect environment. If you cannot pinpoint environmental change, suspect disease or dysfunction and consult your vet. This is especially important if the dog squints, paws at his eyes or exhibits signs of pain. Eyesight could be at stake.
Puppy Tear Staining.
Puppies tear as they grow and the shape of their face changes. They also tear when teething. This condition is normal and will often go away on its own.
Please do NOT give antibiotics to puppies to stop tear staining. You may set them up for a lifetime of digestive disorders, discoloured teeth, yeast infections and other health problems.
Sometimes tearing disappears when you switch your Frenchie from so called premium, natural commercial food to fresh food. It returns rarely, only during illness or allergy season. .
Dysfunction of the tear duct system. Before investing hundreds, of pounds in a lifetime of tear stain products, it is recommend you have an Ophthalmologist check your dog's eyes for structural defects, infections and inflammation. This is especially important for Brachycephalic breeds like the French Bulldog.
It is recommended seeing a eye specialist from the start, rather than your everyday vet, as Ophthalmologists know a great deal more about eyes and may detect, or rule out, conditions that a general vet may not -- in which case you'll have to pay two vets when you're subsequently referred to a specialist.
“Congenital deformity of the tear ducts or failure of them to form holes (puncta) at the nasal end where tears drain into the nose will cause excess tearing. Swelling associated with inflammation and infection of the nose and sinuses may obstruct the tear ducts by compression. The tear ducts can also become clogged with mucus or pus. Foreign bodies may block tear duct openings and may also compress the ducts, as can tumours. Scar tissue, which may arise from an infection or trauma may obstruct the tear ducts also."
Testing for closed tear ducts is done with an eye stain called Fluorescein. If the draining system is working, the dye will confirm it. If flushing is required, know that it requires anaesthesia.
Tiny hairs which irritate the eyes (called Distichiasis) can cause excess tearing. Removing these hairs requires a light anaesthetic and should be done by a specialist..
If surgery is required for any eye condition you must see a certified ophthalmologist.
Excessive tearing in dogs (called epiphora) and red and brown tear staining is not merely a cosmetic nuisance. It is a symptom of disease, poor diet, allergies, genetic predisposition or physical malfunction.
Many Frenchies have excessive red tearing but it doesn’t show on their dark coat or mask, unlike this light coloured Frenchie.
What Causes It? Excessive tears running down a dog's face has two causes: too many tears produced or insufficient tear drainage. Epiphora caused by too many tears is an automatic response to irritants such as dust, infection, allergens, poor diet or a health problem. Think of tearing as a symptom of a health problem as you would if you had a runny nose. It's one way bodies rid themselves of toxins. Epiphora can also result when normal tearing doesn't drain properly because of structural defects (genetics) or blockage or inflammation of the tear ducts.
What if there is sudden onset tear staining in an adult dog ? If you have recently changed your dog’s diet, either switch back then make the change to the new food more gradual or gradually change to another food.
If your dog has moved to a new home or you have new carpeting, furniture, a new pet or family member or other changes around your house or garden suspect environment. If you cannot pinpoint environmental change, suspect disease or dysfunction and consult your vet. This is especially important if the dog squints, paws at his eyes or exhibits signs of pain. Eyesight could be at stake.
Puppy Tear Staining.
Puppies tear as they grow and the shape of their face changes. They also tear when teething. This condition is normal and will often go away on its own.
Please do NOT give antibiotics to puppies to stop tear staining. You may set them up for a lifetime of digestive disorders, discoloured teeth, yeast infections and other health problems.
Sometimes tearing disappears when you switch your Frenchie from so called premium, natural commercial food to fresh food. It returns rarely, only during illness or allergy season. .
Dysfunction of the tear duct system. Before investing hundreds, of pounds in a lifetime of tear stain products, it is recommend you have an Ophthalmologist check your dog's eyes for structural defects, infections and inflammation. This is especially important for Brachycephalic breeds like the French Bulldog.
It is recommended seeing a eye specialist from the start, rather than your everyday vet, as Ophthalmologists know a great deal more about eyes and may detect, or rule out, conditions that a general vet may not -- in which case you'll have to pay two vets when you're subsequently referred to a specialist.
“Congenital deformity of the tear ducts or failure of them to form holes (puncta) at the nasal end where tears drain into the nose will cause excess tearing. Swelling associated with inflammation and infection of the nose and sinuses may obstruct the tear ducts by compression. The tear ducts can also become clogged with mucus or pus. Foreign bodies may block tear duct openings and may also compress the ducts, as can tumours. Scar tissue, which may arise from an infection or trauma may obstruct the tear ducts also."
Testing for closed tear ducts is done with an eye stain called Fluorescein. If the draining system is working, the dye will confirm it. If flushing is required, know that it requires anaesthesia.
Tiny hairs which irritate the eyes (called Distichiasis) can cause excess tearing. Removing these hairs requires a light anaesthetic and should be done by a specialist..
If surgery is required for any eye condition you must see a certified ophthalmologist.