Have an Am. bulldog/boxer mix- has weepy eyes.....?

Question

not excessive or anything, but the goo seems to stain his fur. He is 3, have had him a couple of weeks. Does anyone know a way to get rid of the staining? I just gave him a bath, and he is really good about letting me wipe at the area, but I cannot get the stains off....any ideas??

He is white, has black spots on his skin, not on his fur though, one black ring around one eye.

Answer 1

Your dog has "tear stains".

Here's to "textbook" explanation: "Tear staining can be traced to health and diet, as well as genetics. Most veterinarians agree that face staining results from excessive tearing. In this case, the damp face hair is a breeding ground for bacterial and yeast growth. The most common is "Red Yeast" which is usually associated with reddish-brown facial stains, and which may emit a moderate to noticeably strong odor. Tear ducts may become infected and result in excess tearing and noticeable staining."

You can try changing his diet, and you can also apply a product to the stained area, like Pro Eye to bleach out the staining. (See the product description at: http://www.doglikenature.com/store/viewitem?item=31004

Answer 2

I wonder what color he is......this makes a difference as to how effective your tear stain removal will be. My Shar-Pei often tears...I use a lubricant I drop in her eyes about once a week called PuraLube I get from my vet. But she is black and her staining will not show up anyway.

I researched this online and found a great site for a product that helps with tear stain removal called "Angel Eyes". The site is www.angelseyesonline.com. I also found this info on PetEducation.com:

Q. Why does my dog have brownish stains on the insides of his eyes?

A.
On many lightcolored dogs, especially miniature and toy breeds, we may see a brown or pink stain on the skin and hair below the inside corner of the eye. We can also see these tear stains in cats, most commonly in Persians. In both dogs and cats, this is a common cosmetic problem caused by an overflow of tears onto the cheeks. The color change of the hair and skin occurs when the normal bacteria on the hair and skin react with the clear tears.

In normal animals, tears are constantly produced and drain out through small ducts in the eyelids. The ducts empty into the nose. (That is why your nose runs when you cry.) In animals with blocked ducts, the tears overflow the lids and run down the face.

There are several causes of the overflow of tears. Miniature breeds and Persians often have more prominent eyes. This stretches the eyelid and may cut off the drainage system. This is the most common cause and there is little we can do to correct it. Some animals are born with an abnormal drainage system that may or may not be surgically correctable. Sometimes, the eyelids turn inward and block the drainage. This is also surgically correctable.

Hair can act like a wick, drawing the tears out of the eye. This can be corrected by removing the offending hair. In some cases, tear overflow may be due to excessive tear formation caused by irritation of the eye by a particle of something in the eye, an allergy, or an abnormal eyelid or eyelash which turns inward and rubs against the surface of the eye. Inflammation or ulcers of the surface of the eye (cornea), or inflammation of the duct system is also a cause. These conditions, which are often painful, need to be seen immediately by your veterinarian.

Since the tear accumulation on the facial hair can also lead to matting of the hair, skin irritation and possible infection, you must keep this area clean. Trimming the hair below the eye will help. Clean the area and remove any accumulated material or crusts. If a skin lesion is seen, clip the hair closer, and after cleaning the area it may help to apply an antibiotic ointment; it is best to use an ophthalmic (eye) antibiotic ointment on skin this close to the eye. If the lesion is large, deep, or ulcerated, or if you have any question about the severity of the lesion, you should see your veterinarian. More severe cases may require oral antibiotics and other treatment measures.

There are products available which are used to remove the brown stain from the hair. These products can be irritating to the eye. They should NOT be used directly in the eye. If necessary, to protect the eye, apply an ophthalmic ointment to the eye prior to using these products.

To help maintain healthy eyes in your pet, check the eyes on a regular basis, keep the area around them clean, and when in the car, roll the window high enough to prevent your pet from getting his head out of the window. Because your pet's eyes are so important, consult your veterinarian if you suspect any type of eye infection or problem.


Good Luck!

Answer 3

I have a full blooded boxer, 10 mo old. Just recently I took him to the vet for same reason. The vet told me weepy eyes are common in the breed, However, sometimes dogs get allergies just like people. We tried a benadryl capsule once a day and it seemed to help. As far as the stains, I can't help, sorry. Maybe the condition has existed for too long already..Take good care of him, it sounds like you really love him...

Answer 4

They are called tear marks. Sometimes it goes away. My full blooded American Bulldog had them when she was a pup, but they went away by the time she was 6 months old. If your dog is 3 they might just be there for good.

Answer 5

if it's not excessive like you say its probably just genetic. i think there may be some kind of thing you can buy to remove the staining.. but im not sure what.. sorry i can't help more..