What Causes Brown Stains On Dogs Eyes?
Have you ever noticed how many dogs have reddish brown staining of their fur ? It occurs most commonly where tears moisten the fur around the dog’s eyes or around their mouth where saliva wets their fur as well as where they lick their feet and forelegs.
- 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,
- Saliva and tears contain substances called porphyrins, which stain light fur pink, red or brown.
Porphyrins are a group of organic compounds of which many occur in nature. One of the best-known porphyrins is heme, the pigment in red blood cells. If you have ever noticed a white dog that has been licking or chewing on his leg, the hair in that area will turn iron-brown in color.
The actual cause of stains is the porphyrin in the tears and saliva. Why do stains occur in dogs? Some dogs produce excessive tears – primarily because when humans turned wolves into today’s best friend selective breeding created short noses and protruding eyes that contribute to abnormally narrow and often crooked tear ducts.
Some medical conditions that result in excess tearing and licking are associated with the excess staining but are not the cause of the stain. In addition to allergies and irritants that may cause excess licking, anatomical problems such as ingrown eyelashes, entropion, abnormally small tear duct openings and irritants such as cigarette smoke may be causes 1,
When porphyrins remain in contact with hair, particularly in white coats, for any time, the chemical stain develops. It is virtually impossible to remove once it develops. Is porphyrin staining serious in dogs? Fortunately, porphyrin staining is in itself a cosmetic problem and causes the dog no harm.
However, the underlying or causative problem can be significant. Eyelid abnormalities may cause significant discomfort. Excess salivation may be caused by oral discomfort such as gum disease or dental problems. And dogs that lick and scratch their faces, feet, armpits and genitals frequently are affected by allergies that can cause distress.
If your dog is experiencing porphyrin staining be sure to have your veterinarian perform a complete physical examination to rule in or out these problems. Can porphyrin staining be managed in dogs? Obviously part of the answer is preventing the porphyrin containing fluids from remaining in contact with the hair.
Regular cleaning can provide minimal help. Keeping long hair from rubbing in the eyes may also help keep the areas clean and dry. How is staining treated in dogs? Although somewhat unsightly, the staining caused by porphyrines is just that – cosmetically unsightly.
- My dog’s eyes are stained with blood colored tears. What is causing the staining?
- What caused my dog’s feet to be stained red?
If you have any questions or concerns, you should always visit or call your veterinarian – they are your best resource to ensure the health and well-being of your pets. Resources:
Magnusson, Greg. “A Veterinary Guide to Tear Stains.” Leo’s Pet Care Veterinary Clinic,27 July 2012. Web.
How do I get rid of brown tear stains on my dog?
5. Food additives can help – Two things that have worked for me are adding one teaspoon of either organic apple-cider vinegar or buttermilk powder to meals. I-Stain, a probiotic enzyme, is another product with reportedly good results. Mild antibiotics can be used for short periods of time, naturally, after consulting with your vet.
- Those commonly prescribed include Lincocin, Tylosin, and/or neomycin-polymyxin or chloramphenicol eye drops.
- Vetericyn ophthalmic gel is available over the counter and may be enough without a vet trip.
- Stain removal is another chapter to itself.
- A little mild hydrogen peroxide dried into the muzzle (be sure to avoid the eyes) or Visine (applied to the fur, not the eyes) can lighten the color enough to live with it until it grows out.
Unfortunately, there isn’t just one foolproof preventative, and each dog responds a little differently, so it often takes a little experimenting and patience—but it is worth the effort to have that precious little white face smiling at you again!
Why does my dog suddenly have eye stains?
Infections – One of the most common causes of excess porphyrin in tears is excess bacteria or yeast in the body. That is because many bacteria and yeast produce porphyrin as part of their metabolic cycle. Just as a dog’s cells release this red pigment into their bodily fluids, so do the bacteria and yeast living inside them.
Often, tear stains are a sign that your dog has an infection in their eye, tear ducts, mouth, or other nearby location. Ulcers, conjunctivitis, untreated corneal abrasions and nasolacrimal obstructions are commonly associated with the sudden appearance of tear stains. Similarly, yeast infections in the folds of skin near the eye or inside the body can cause tear stains.
Other times, excess porphyrin is the effect of systemic bacterial and yeast imbalances rather than a concentrated infection.
Why do white dogs get brown around the eyes?
Wednesday 15th December Written by Dr Andrew Miller MRCVS Dr Andrew Miller MRCVS is an expert veterinary working in the field for over 10 years after graduating from Bristol University. Andy fact checks and writes for Pure Pet Food while also working as a full time veterinarian.
- Pure Pet Food Pure Pet Food are the experts in healthy dog food and healthy dogs featured in media outlets such as BBC, Good Housekeeping and The Telegraph.
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- Tear stains in dogs are a common problem, visible as reddish-brown marks around the dog’s eyes, most easily seen on dogs with white or light-coloured hair.
They are usually the result of the dog producing too many tears or having an inability for the tears to drain away as normal.
Why do dogs get tear stains as they get older?
1. Conjunctivitis – one of the most common reasons for tear stains that appear on mature dogs which haven’t previously had a problem. This is an inflammation of the eye lining which causes discharge. It can be the result of an allergy or injury and in summer it’s often a result of a scratched eyeball from pollen or a grass seed.
How do I stop my dogs eyes from staining?
How to Safely Treat Tear Stains in Dogs – A frequently asked question among dog owners is “How do I get rid of tear stains?” or “Is there a natural home remedy I can use to clean my dog’s tear stains?” Here are some treatment options for dealing with tear staining in dogs include:
Keep the hair around the eyes and nose as short as possible. Keep the face clean and dry. A natural home remedy to treat tear stains in dogs is to use a warm washcloth and baby shampoo. These are safe to use to clean around the eyes. There are many types of eyelid and eyelash cleaning pads that can also be used to clean the face and around the eyes. Contact lens solution can be used to clean around the eyes—not in the eyes! The boric acid in the contact lens solution oxidizes the iron in the porphyrins and may lighten the staining. After washing the face, always dry the area with a clean towel to prevent ulcerative dermatitis secondary to wet skin. -containing products claim to treat or prevent tear staining. Tylosin’s effect is unpredictable and often has intermittent efficacy. Because tylosin is an antibiotic, there is controversy using it for cosmetic purposes due to possible drug resistance. There is also controversy regarding tylosin’s addition to over the counter medications that do not always list it as an ingredient or identify how much tylosin is in the product. Many probiotic supplements claim to decrease tear staining as well. Dogs with tear staining should be evaluated by your to determine if there is an underlying eye problem that requires specific treatment. If the tear staining is secondary to conformation, the treatment plan may include to rule out underlying ocular disease and to discuss the possible surgical options.
We hope this information helps you understand more about tear staining in dogs.
Are tear stains bad for dogs?
Dog Tear Stain Causes – There are a variety of reasons your furry friend has dog tear stains. According to PetMD, common causes include: Ingrown Hair or Eyelashes Your dog’s eyes may be tearing more frequently due to overgrown hair or eyelashes that have been caught in the tear ducts.
Allergies From the seasons changing to even the tap water your dog drinks, allergens may lead to excessive tear production. Shallow Eye Sockets Certain dog breeds have facial structures with sunken eye sockets and shorter noses that can lead to more frequent tears. Blocked Tear Drainage Holes Specifically known as puncta, these can become blocked from previous infections or excess scar tissue, causing tears to not drain properly.
In most cases, dog tear stains are common and manageable. However, some instances may be linked to other health issues. For example, tear stains that are more brownish than red-colored and have a foul odor could indicate a yeast infection. Always consult your veterinarian to understand your dog’s individual circumstances and the cause behind the tearing.
Can vets get rid of tear stains?
How to Get Rid of Tear Stains on Dogs – 
The first step in getting rid of tear stains is to establish the underlying cause. “If your veterinarian suspects allergies, he or she may prescribe a steroid ointment as well as an oral treatment for allergies,” says Monk. “If he or she suspects that your pet’s eye shape predisposes him to the condition, then they may recommend trying some home remedies before considering eyelid surgery.” Veterinarians have used antibiotics—and some still do—to reduce or eliminate tear staining, says Meekins.
Are tear stains permanent?
Removal & Treatment – One of the best things you can do for your pet’s appearance and health is to remove the stains altogether. Cleaning the area regularly will help prevent the build up in tear stains that can damage your dog’s overall health and save them (and you) from embarrassment.
Using a that will remove the mucus and crust formed around the eyes is highly recommended for any dog with tear stains. We always suggest coconut oil based solutions for their highly publicized, Of course, you always want to stay away from anything that contains bleach or harsh chemicals. Remember that your dog’s eyes are sensitive like human’s.
Would you put bleach near your eye? Most of the discoloration of the fur isn’t permanent, although stains that have been neglected for a long time will need to grow out and be trimmed before disappearing completely. The key is cleaning the area regularly. 
: What are Tear Stains? Here’s Everything YOU Need to Know.
Are tear stains permanent?
Removal & Treatment – One of the best things you can do for your pet’s appearance and health is to remove the stains altogether. Cleaning the area regularly will help prevent the build up in tear stains that can damage your dog’s overall health and save them (and you) from embarrassment.
- Using a that will remove the mucus and crust formed around the eyes is highly recommended for any dog with tear stains.
- We always suggest coconut oil based solutions for their highly publicized,
- Of course, you always want to stay away from anything that contains bleach or harsh chemicals.
- Remember that your dog’s eyes are sensitive like human’s.
Would you put bleach near your eye? Most of the discoloration of the fur isn’t permanent, although stains that have been neglected for a long time will need to grow out and be trimmed before disappearing completely. The key is cleaning the area regularly. : What are Tear Stains? Here’s Everything YOU Need to Know.