Pets

Blocked Tear Duct in Dogs: A Closer Look at Symptoms

What does a blocked tear duct look like? In dogs, the most common way that these blocked tear ducts will present is usually with abnormal staining below, typically just one eye, as the blockage may just be one eye. You can occasionally see it in both eyes, but you'll see either excessive wetness or tearing below the eye or staining, where the fur looks much darker, so either brown or dark red in appearance, and that may be a clue that we have a blockage. The tear duct itself starts on the inner part of the lower lid at this area called the tear puncta. There's actually two of them, one up here, one down here, and then it actually goes down the tear duct into the nose, and then tears eventually just slowly come out the nose that we just don't realize it over time, and so a blockage could occur anywhere along that course, from anywhere up here near the tear puncta all the way down through the nose as well. So if we have a suspicion of a blockage, we may actually do a tear duct flush to see if it is blocked and nothing's coming out the nose, and then if that seems to be the case, then the next step may be further testing to image this area with either X-rays or a CT scan to try to see if we can find where the blockage may be and if that's something that we could treat and fix so that we can resolve it.

A block tear duct looks like excessive wetness or staining below the eye and is diagnosed with a tear duct flush, x-rays, or a CT scan to find and fix the blockage.

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A blocked tear duct in dogs typically presents as abnormal staining or excessive wetness below the eye. This staining appears as darker fur, usually brown or dark red in color. It is often seen in just one eye, although it can occur in both eyes. 

The tear duct starts at the inner part of the lower lid, known as the tear puncta. There are two tear puncta, one above and one below. From there, the tear duct extends down into the nose, and tears eventually come out through the nose without us realizing it. A blockage can occur anywhere along this path, from the tear puncta to the nose.

To confirm a blockage, a tear duct flush may be performed to see if tears are not coming out through the nose. If a blockage is suspected, further testing such as X-rays or a CT scan may be done to locate the blockage and determine if it can be treated and resolved.

What should I do if one of my dog's eyelids is always drooping?

Dog's Drooping Eyelid: Genetic, Painful, or Neurological Issue?

What to do if your dog has a drooping eyelid. So this could be caused by several things. This could be a genetic thing that dogs were just born with this. That's a condition called ectropion where the lower lids just droop naturally because of their genetics and their breed. That may be something that doesn't need to be addressed. There are other issues that can also appear similar to this. So one would be something causing pain in the eye, an ulcer, an abrasion, inflammation inside the eye. Those will cause either the lid to droop or a third eyelid that dogs have. And yes, dogs actually have a third eyelid that can cause it to elevate and make the lower eyelid look drooping. So that would be another possibility would be something causing pain in the eye. The last possibility would be a neurologic disorder that can cause drooping of the eyelid as well. Depending on which of these conditions it may be, it's sometimes beneficial to see someone like myself, which is a veterinary ophthalmologist. Sometimes you have to see someone else like a veterinary neurologist if it's a nerve issue.

If your dog has a drooping eyelid, it could be caused by several things including genetics, pain in the eye, or a neurological disorder. It may be beneficial to see a Veterinary ophthalmologist or neurologist depending on what is causing the issue.

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If your dog has a drooping eyelid, there could be several potential causes. One possibility is a genetic condition called ectropion, where the lower lids naturally droop due to breed and genetics. This may not require treatment.

Other issues that can cause a drooping eyelid include pain in the eye, such as an ulcer, abrasion, or inflammation, which can affect the lid or the third eyelid that dogs have. Additionally, a neurologic disorder could be a potential cause.

Depending on the specific condition, it may be beneficial to consult a veterinary ophthalmologist or a veterinary neurologist for further evaluation and appropriate treatment.

Can dogs get glaucoma? Understanding the causes, symptoms, and treatment options.

Can dogs develop glaucoma? It's a great question and unfortunately yes they can. This is something we see very commonly in the veterinary ophthalmology field. What glaucoma is, is a high pressure inside the eyes and if that high pressure stays too high for too long, it will cause pain and loss of vision. And so our eyes, much like dogs eyes, has a normal pressure inside of it and how that pressure is created is by fluid called aqueous humor floating around inside of our eye. And that aqueous humor is created by an area of the eye called the ciliary body or ciliary processes. And so we compare that to the faucet of a sink that is producing fluid. And that fluid flows around our eye, just like the sink in your kitchen. And then eventually that fluid exits the eye out the drain, just like the drain within your kitchen. But glaucoma develops when that drainage area, which is called the iridocorneal angle, either closes or it's clogged with something. So it's just like putting a stopper in your drain, but the faucet is still running and eventually that pressure becomes too high inside the eye to cause a very high pressure, pain and vision loss. So it's a very serious issue that we see and it can occur very quickly in dogs. So important recognition by a veterinarian or a veterinary ophthalmologist to recognize when glaucoma is present and treat that. And there is treatment available and this may be medical treatment, it may be surgical treatment, but there are options available to try to lower that pressure so that we preserve their vision and we don't have an animal that goes blind for this particular reason. So yes, we do see glaucoma frequently, but there are treatment options.

Dogs can develop glaucoma which is a high pressure inside the eyes causing pain and vision loss. The pressure is created by fluid called aqueous humour that is produced by an area of the eye called the ciliary body. If the drainage area of the eye (the corneal angle) closes or becomes clogged, then the pressure may become too high. Treatment options are available to lower the pressure and preserve vision.

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Dogs can indeed develop glaucoma, which is a common occurrence in the field of veterinary ophthalmology. Glaucoma refers to high pressure inside the eyes, which, if left untreated, can cause pain and vision loss. Similar to our own eyes, dogs' eyes have a normal pressure created by fluid called aqueous humor. This fluid is produced by the ciliary body or ciliary processes, acting like a faucet that generates fluid. The fluid circulates around the eye and eventually exits through the drainage area called the iridocorneal angle, similar to a sink drain.

Glaucoma occurs when the iridocorneal angle becomes blocked or closed, akin to placing a stopper in a drain while the faucet continues to run. As a result, the pressure inside the eye increases, leading to pain and potential vision loss. Prompt recognition and treatment by a veterinarian or veterinary ophthalmologist are crucial in managing glaucoma. Treatment options may include medical or surgical interventions aimed at lowering the pressure and preserving vision. While glaucoma is a serious issue, there are available treatment options to address it and prevent blindness in dogs.

What are some genetic disorders I need to test for?

Crucial genetic disorder testing for healthy breeding

What are some genetic disorders I need to test for? So as a veterinary ophthalmologist, this is something very important that we have to look at dogs' eyes and make sure that they are clear of any genetic disorders that could be handed down that could really impact their vision. So one of my jobs is to do something called an OFA exam, which is basically an eye exam where we try to clear them that they are okay, because those dogs many times may undergo breeding to have a litter of those golden retrievers or those cavaliers or those dogs that we love, but that's the best way that we can ensure that they don't have any genetic issues. And there are some blood tests that are available for some disorders, certain retinal disorders or lens disorders inside the eye, but otherwise it usually requires an exam to rule out many of those genetic disorders and make sure they are okay for breeding.

As a veterinary ophthalmologist, it is important to check for genetic disorders in dogs by performing an OFA exam or other specific blood tests. This helps ensure that the dog is healthy and free of any genetic issues before breeding.

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As a veterinary ophthalmologist, it is crucial for me to test dogs for genetic disorders that could impact their vision. One of the main exams I perform is called an OFA exam, where I assess the dogs' eyes to ensure they are free from any genetic issues. This is particularly important for dogs that are used for breeding, such as golden retrievers or cavaliers, as it helps ensure that their offspring will not inherit any genetic disorders.

In addition to the eye exam, there are some blood tests available for specific retinal or lens disorders. However, in most cases, a thorough examination is necessary to rule out genetic disorders and determine if the dog is suitable for breeding.

What do those tear streaks around my dog's eyes mean?

Decode the Tear Streaks: What They Mean for Your Dog's Eyes

What do those tear streaks around my dog's eyes mean? We see this a lot with a lot of dogs, especially lighter colored or white colored dogs because it's much more prominent when they have the brown or red streaks around their eyes. And so usually what that is is tearing or excessive tearing that has occurred either because it's not drained correctly down the tear duct. And sometimes that can be a medical issue. Sometimes it can be just a confirmation of how their faces is formed and how their eye and eyelids are formed that the tears drain onto the face. But there can be other issues that can cause this as well. Certain medical conditions that may need to be treated if we do find those. So some of those things that we could see an irritation to the eye with something like allergies or an infection can cause excessive tearing. If there's abnormal eyelashes rubbing on the eye, so a condition called dysthylchia or ectopic cilia where they have abnormal hairs rubbing on the eye, that can also cause an irritation to the eye. So there are some medical conditions that ideally an exam either by your veterinarian or a veterinary ophthalmologist like myself would help to find those issues and see if there's something that needs to be treated. Otherwise, if we find that it's just more of a conformational thing that it's related to essentially the way the eye developed and the tears are spilling over the eye onto the face, then sometimes that's more of just a cosmetic issue which there are treatments that can be done to help that, but many times it's not causing any pain or irritation or threatening to their eye health or their vision. So probably good to see a veterinarian to rule some of those diseases out to see if those need to be treated.

Tier streaks around a dog's eyes can be caused by different medical conditions or it could just be a conformational issue where the tears are spilling over the eye onto the face. It is important to see a veterinarian to rule out any medical issues and to determine if there is anything that needs to be treated.

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The tear streaks around your dog's eyes, especially in lighter or white-colored dogs, are often caused by excessive tearing that doesn't drain correctly down the tear duct. This can be due to the formation of their face and eyelids or certain medical conditions. Allergies, infections, abnormal eyelashes rubbing on the eye, or conditions like dysthylchia or ectopic cilia can cause excessive tearing and eye irritation.

It's important to have your dog examined by a veterinarian or a veterinary ophthalmologist to determine the underlying cause. They can identify any medical conditions that may require treatment. If it's determined to be more of a conformational issue, where tears spill over the eye onto the face, it may be a cosmetic concern. In such cases, there are treatments available, but if it's not causing any pain, irritation, or threatening their eye health or vision, it may not require immediate intervention.

To rule out any potential diseases and determine the best course of action, it's recommended to consult with a veterinarian.

What should I do if my dog's eye discharge smells weird?

Unusual odor in your dog's eye discharge? Time to see a vet!

What should I do if my dog's eye discharge smells weird? So a lot of dogs will have a little bit of eye boogers or eye discharge. It's pretty common, but sometimes it can be excessive and it can be for various reasons. Some dogs, because of the genetic makeup or conformation of their eye, they tend to tear more on the outside of the eye. And those guys can sometimes get what's called a moist dermatitis, where this wet and warm environment gives way to a bacterial or yeast overgrowth and can sometimes cause an infection, and that could be responsible for that. There are other eye conditions that can cause excessive discharge and also may have an odor. So things like dry eye, conjunctivitis, an allergy issue with the eyes, those can cause abnormal discharges from the eye and that could have an odor as well. So if you do notice excessive discharge or the discharge has an odor, it may be a good idea to see your veterinarian or veterinary ophthalmologist to look for any of these underlying diseases that could be present and may require treatment.

If your dog has excessive eye discharge or if the discharge has a smell, take them to see your veterinarian or veterinary ophthalmologist to look for any underlying diseases that may require treatment.

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If you notice that your dog's eye discharge smells weird, it's important to take action. While some amount of eye discharge is normal for dogs, excessive discharge or an unusual odor could indicate an underlying issue.

Certain dogs, due to their genetic makeup or eye structure, may have increased tearing on the outer part of the eye. This can create a moist environment that promotes bacterial or yeast overgrowth, leading to infection and a foul smell. Other eye conditions such as dry eye, conjunctivitis, or allergies can also cause abnormal discharge with an odor.

If you observe excessive discharge or notice an unusual smell, it is advisable to consult your veterinarian or a veterinary ophthalmologist. They can examine your dog's eyes for any underlying diseases or infections that may require treatment. Prompt veterinary attention can help address the issue and ensure your dog's eye health.

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Joshua Broadwater answers your Pets questions. See all the advice Joshua Broadwater has and get answers to your own Pets questions.

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Dr. Joshua Broadwater has been hooked on treating and curing diseases and helping relieve the suffering of animals – since he got his first microscope at age 12. That passion eventually took on a particular focus – caring for animals’ eyes. Following a residency at the Animal Eye Specialty Clinic in Florida, Dr. Broadwater worked at Lion Country Safari, SeaWorld, and Gumbo Limbo Environmental Complex, where he performed surgery to remove tumors from turtles’ eyes. Broadwater is now an ophthalmologist at CARE, where he has a special interest in cornea disease and surgery, cataract surgery, and glaucoma surgery. “I went into ophthalmology,” he says, “because there’s something so special about relieving the suffering of a dog with a corneal ulcer, or controlling a painful condition such as glaucoma, or removing cataracts from a dog that was blind, and suddenly have them see the world again.”