Why are my dogs tear stains so dark?
What is causing the stains in dogs? This discoloration is caused by a chemical called porphyrin. Porphyrins are excreted primarily through bile and the intestinal tract, but in dogs a significant amount of porphyrin is excreted through tears, saliva and also urine.
How do I get rid of dark tear stains on my dog?
Flush eyes with an appropriate canine eye-wash, such as saline eye-wash solutions or Terra Septic eye drops. Moisten a cotton ball with the same eye wash or a contact lens solution, and rub underneath and around the eye area.
Why does my dog have a red eye stain?
If the stain is a reddish color, it is simply porphyrins leaving the body their natural way: through urine, saliva, and tears. Porphyrins are pigmented, naturally-occurring chemical compounds. Porphyrin compounds include molecules containing iron. A common porphyrin is heme, the pigment in red blood cells.
What kind of dog has red tear stains?
puppies. Pupdate. With white-coated breeds such as Bichons Frises, many at some point in their life will develop those very distracting, ugly, red-brownish tear stains underneath their eyes …
What does it mean when a dog has a tear under its eye?
You’ve probably seen dark brown or reddish tear stains under a dog’s eyes and wondered where they come from. Tear stains appear in certain breeds more often than others, and they can indicate a lot of different things.
When to see a vet about tear stains?
Tear stains appear in certain breeds more often than others, and they can indicate a lot of different things. It’s important that you see a veterinarian or eye specialist if your dog is developing tear stains to determine the cause and possible treatments. Here’s what you should know about tear stains under dogs’ eyes. What Are Tear Stains?
What kind of stain is under a dog’s eye?
Tear stains are dark brown or reddish marks that appear beneath a dog’s eyes. The stains are often accompanied by discharge, but not always. They’re typically more visible on dogs who have white or lightly-colored fur.
Why does my dog have red stuff under her eyes?
Epiphora, a condition that comes from excessive tear production or the inability to properly drain tears, is usually the source of the stains. Epiphora can have a variety of causes and can be acute or chronic. The reddish stains appear when porphyrin, a pigment found in tears, accumulates under the eyes.
Why does my dog have a brown spot under his eye?
3. Reddish Brown Tear Stains. Light colored dogs often develop a reddish brown discoloration to the fur below the inner corner of their eyes. This occurs because tears contain a pigment called porphyrin that turns this reddish brown color upon prolonged exposure to air.
What are the symptoms of pink eye in dogs?
Dog Eye Irritation. Irritation, redness, and inflammation (swelling of the surrounding tissue) are the most common symptoms of dog eye problems – both minor and major. Conjunctivitis. Also known as Pink Eye – this is one of the most common dog eye problems and the primary symptoms are red, irritated, inflamed eyes.