Pet's Tear Stains

Tear staining is usually caused by epiphora, which is the technical word for excessive tear production. The tearstains themselves are reddish-brown streaks under a dog’s (or cat’s) eyes. The condition is much more prevalent in certain breeds (for example, the Maltese, the Lhasa Apso, and the Shih Tzu), and is much more obvious in animals with light-colored coats. While tear staining is typically no more than a minor annoyance, it can also be a symptom of a serious eye health problem.

Medical causes of tear staining can include: ALLERGIES, INGROWN EYELASHES, INFECTION OF THE EYE, UNUSUALLY LARGE TEAR GLANDS, GLAUCOMA OR ANOTHER EYE DISEASE, UNUSUALLY SMALL TEAR DUCT OPENINGS, ENTROPION (inverted eyelid), BRACHYCEPHALIC SYNDROME, EAR INFECTION, MEDICATIONS, EXPOSURE TO SECOND HAND SMOKE, POOR QUALITY DIET, PLASTIC FOOD BOWLS, STRESS AND TEETHING IN PUPPIES.

If you have a dog or cat with tear staining, talk to your veterinarian at your next appointment.

It’s important to rule out medical causes before you assume it’s a simple matter of too much tear production.

Why Some Pets Have or Show More Tear Staining

Tearstains are typically the result of porphyrins. Porphyrins are naturally occurring molecules containing iron – waste products from the breakdown of red blood cells -- and are mostly removed from the body in the usual way (in poop). However, in dogs and cats, porphyrin can also be excreted through tears, saliva, and urine.

When tears and saliva containing porphyrins sit on light-colored fur for any period of time, staining will occur. And if it seems your pet’s tearstains are worse after he’s been outside, you’re not imagining things. The iron-containing stains do indeed darken when exposed to sunlight.

If the stains are more of a brown color than rust colored, it’s likely your pet has developed a yeast infection on their face because the fur under the eyes is constantly wet with tears. Brown stains from a yeast infection are different from red staining caused by porphyrins. This can be important to know if you’re trying to resolve brown stains with a product intended for red stains, or vice versa. Yeast infections are also odiferous, so if your pet’s face smells, think yeast. Pets can also have both a porphyrin stained face and a secondary yeast infection from the constantly moist skin.

Suggestions:

·          Keep your pet’s face meticulously clean and free of moisture by gently wiping the face at least twice a day with a soft, warm, damp cloth, keep his face hair trimmed and if necessary make regular grooming appointments.

·          Feed a high-quality, balanced diet. The less unnecessary, indigestible stuff your pet’s body has to deal with, the less stress on the organs of detoxification.

·          Provide your pet with fresh, filtered drinking water instead of tap water, which is often high in mineral content or iron and other impurities, including chlorine and fluoride, which are toxic to pets.

·          Replace plastic food and water bowls with stainless steel, porcelain, or glass. Worn plastic bowls can harbor bacteria that may irritate your pet’s face.