View Full Version : Tearing eyes
Samantha's eyes tear on a regular basis, so much so that there is a wet trail underneath the corner of her eyes. She has done this since I rescued her.
I've asked my vet about it. She said that it was normal and as long as the tears are clear and not pussy or full of mucus, then it's nothing to worry about.
Thoughts?
lpollockandrsn
04-27-2006, 10:57 AM
It could be allergies. Most dogs do that some but it is more obvious in some breeds than others. Especially white dogs, you will notice a lot of white dogs with with tear stains from the corner of the eyes.
Some dogs tear ducts are more active than others for no obvious reason. Does it bother her?
It could be allergies. Most dogs do that some but it is more obvious in some breeds than others. Especially white dogs, you will notice a lot of white dogs with with tear stains from the corner of the eyes.
Some dogs tear ducts are more active than others for no obvious reason. Does it bother her?
No, it doesn't appear to bother her. She is a light-coated dog though. She's a lemon beagle.
MomOf7
04-27-2006, 08:38 PM
She could have hairs growing on her eye lids. Little itty bitty hairs that scratch the cornea and causes watery eyes. This is more previlant in smaller breeds but does effect many breeds.
Take a magnifying glass and gently pull her lid away from the eye and look for small hairs. If there isnt any on the upper or lower lids it may just be Allergies.
I believe they have special eye drops for allergies.
If it is small hairs..(And I know there is a techincal term for this which I am not remembering at the moment)
You want to have them removed. You can make an appointment with a local eye clinic for animals.
http://www.vmdb.org/cerf.html
That link has info on the ACVO vet near you.
Good luck and keep us updated please!
She could have hairs growing on her eye lids. Little itty bitty hairs that scratch the cornea and causes watery eyes. This is more previlant in smaller breeds but does effect many breeds.
Take a magnifying glass and gently pull her lid away from the eye and look for small hairs. If there isnt any on the upper or lower lids it may just be Allergies.
I believe they have special eye drops for allergies.
If it is small hairs..(And I know there is a techincal term for this which I am not remembering at the moment)
You want to have them removed. You can make an appointment with a local eye clinic for animals.
http://www.vmdb.org/cerf.html
That link has info on the ACVO vet near you.
Good luck and keep us updated please!
Thanks for the info. If it is these tiny hairs, is the scratching causing damage to her eyes? The tearing doesnt appear to bother her. She never tries to rub her eyes or anything like that.
In regards to allergies, I have had her since November and it's been happening since day 1. Could allergies bother her for that long?
lpollockandrsn
04-28-2006, 12:21 PM
Yes, if the hairs are rubbing they would cause damage to the cornea. It is called entropion and would need to be corrected surgically. Though you said the vet did see her for it so I would think he might have noticed. If you aren't sure have her looked again.
If she is allergic to something in her indoor environment, i.e. something that doesn't bloom or change like dust mites, or laundry soap in her bedding then it could be possible.
It is also just as likely that she just has more active tear glands than some.
One other thought is clogged tear ducts. If her tear ducts don't drain properly then the tears have no where else to go than to spill out of her eyes. That would take a vet to tell for sure. They would take a little cannula that would fit into the duct and try to flush them.
One thing you could try at home is using a warm wash cloth compress near the corner of her eye. Where the stains are. Hold it there for a few minutes and then massage the area with a firm rub down the length of the stain. If there is stuff clogging the duct just inside there you might be able to free it up. You would have to do this a couple times a day and for a week or so before you would know if it was going to help.
Beyond that....?
MomOf7
04-28-2006, 02:49 PM
Yes, if the hairs are rubbing they would cause damage to the cornea. It is called entropion and would need to be corrected surgically. Though you said the vet did see her for it so I would think he might have noticed. If you aren't sure have her looked again.
If she is allergic to something in her indoor environment, i.e. something that doesn't bloom or change like dust mites, or laundry soap in her bedding then it could be possible.
It is also just as likely that she just has more active tear glands than some.
One other thought is clogged tear ducts. If her tear ducts don't drain properly then the tears have no where else to go than to spill out of her eyes. That would take a vet to tell for sure. They would take a little cannula that would fit into the duct and try to flush them.
One thing you could try at home is using a warm wash cloth compress near the corner of her eye. Where the stains are. Hold it there for a few minutes and then massage the area with a firm rub down the length of the stain. If there is stuff clogging the duct just inside there you might be able to free it up. You would have to do this a couple times a day and for a week or so before you would know if it was going to help.
Beyond that....?
My cocker a few years back had entropian and the vet didnt see it. Then I started researching and asking questions. I saw the lil hairs! Sometimes it can be over looked by a vet.