Why Does My Dog Have Brown Under His Eyes?
What Are Dog Tear Stains? – Dog tear stains are a result of excessive tear production, which is technically known as “epiphora.” Normally, your dog’s tears drain through the eyelid and into an area called the nasolacrimal duct. From there, the tears then empty into the nose.
- However, if this duct becomes blocked for any reason, or if it does not develop properly, the tears get backed up and flow from the eyes instead.
- This residue then settles into the fur around the eyes and often appears in a dark brown or reddish color.
- A rusty color is typically caused by porphyrin, which is a waste by-product that comes from the breakdown of red blood cells.
Needless to say, breeds with light-colored coats—such as the Bichon Frise or Maltese—have the most visible tear stains.
How do I get rid of brown under my dogs eyes?
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 are my dogs eyes brown underneath?
What Causes Tear Stains on Dogs? – 
Tear stains usually happen when the tear duct system doesn’t drain properly, says Dr. Jessica Meekins, associate professor of ophthalmology at the in Manhattan, Kansas. ” Rather than coursing down the tear duct system that normally drains tears from the surface of the eye to the nose, the tears flow over the eyelid margin and onto the face,” she says,
Why does my dog have tear stains all of a sudden?
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.
What is the brown stuff on my dogs face?
Hyperpigmentation is a darkening and thickening of the skin seen in dogs. It is not a specific disease but a reaction of a dog’s body to certain conditions. Hyperpigmentation appears as light-brown-to-black, velvety, rough areas of thickened, often hairless skin.