Excessive Eye Discharge and Tearing in Pets

Excessive eye discharge in dogs is typically a purulent secretion from the eyes. We need to determine whether this is caused by an underlying eye condition. Common conditions, such as conjunctivitis, can lead to increased eye discharge. Additionally, eye parasites and other issues—such as ingrown eyelashes or entropion—may also result in excessive eye discharge. In such cases, the first step is conservative treatment using topical eye drops, such as antibiotic eye drops, until the underlying cause is identified. Once the specific issue is diagnosed and treated, the problem can be resolved.

Another common issue is tear stains. Generally, severe tear stains in pets have little to do with a salty diet. However, if the pet is regularly fed low-quality pet food, this condition may occur.

In addition to eye diseases causing severe tear stains, common causes include ear mites, ocular nematodes, or bacterial and fungal infections around the eyes. Structural issues such as blocked nasolacrimal ducts, epicanal hair syndrome, or a shallow lacrimal sac can also lead to severe tear stains in dogs.

In daily life, foreign objects such as hair may occasionally enter a pet’s eyes, causing them to squint or tear excessively. If you notice this, you can use a syringe with the needle removed, filled with purified water or saline solution, to rinse the eyes and flush out any hair or other debris.

If you notice your pet has an eye problem, first examine the specific condition of the eye. If there is a foreign object, rinse it out with clean water. If you find ear mites, treat the ear mites first. For mild redness, you can use antibacterial eye drops for a few days to see if the condition improves. If there is no relief after treatment, or if there are other symptoms such as ocular filaria, sneezing, coughing, or upper respiratory infections, you should seek prompt veterinary care.