Jessica Meekins, associate professor of ophthalmology at the College of Veterinary Medicine, Kansas State University in Manhattan, Kansas. Tear stains usually happen when the tear duct system doesn’t drain properly, says Dr.

Tear stains can be simply a cosmetic issue r equiring no treatment or they can be an indication of something more serious, like a corneal ulcer (trauma to the eye’s surface layer), glaucoma, or infection. “ Epiphora is not a disease, but rather a symptom that stems from a number of causes,” says Klein. The medical term for tear stains is epiphora. “The stains are often accompanied by eye discharge, but not always.” Jerry Klein, chief veterinary officer for the American Kennel Club (AKC). Tear stains on dogs look like streaks of dark black, brown, or red discolored hair under one or both eyes, says Dr. “It can be due to decreased drainage (the most common), increased production, or poor quality tears.” Tear staining, she says, is an overflow of tears that accumulate on the dog’s face. Caroline Monk, a board-certified veterinary ophthalmologist at BluePearl Specialty and Emergency Pet Hospital in Westside Atlanta, Georgia. They provide the eye with nutrients, aid in vision, and protect the surface of the eye, says Dr. If your dog is prone to tear stains (even dogs with dark coats can get them) the following primer will help you understand more about them and show you the best ways to remove tear stains on dogs.Īlways get veterinary approval before attempting any at-home treatment. Initiating contact with your veterinarian when you notice tear stains is important. Often times, it’s simply an aesthetic issue, but tearing and tear stains on dogs can also indicate a more serious underlying health condition. If your dog has a light coat, he might have noticeable dark tear stains around his eyes.

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