Always use a cotton ball moistened with warm water around the eyes and remove any caked debris. Then apply a tiny dab of Vaseline or petroleum jelly just below the eyes. Avoid getting any in the eyes. If you do decide to trim the hair, purchase a small pair of scissors with blunt tips. Remove just a little hair at a time. Hold the scissors so they are never perpendicular to the eyes. This would scare even a big human like me. Sometimes, hair is not the only problem.
Dirt, pollen, and dust can irritate the eyes. Windy days can be a problem because the shape and prominent location of the eyes on a Shih Tzu make them a great target for anything blowing in the wind. Occasionally a Shih Tzu's eyes will tear for other reasons.
See my article on Shih Tzu eyes. When you take your puppy in to see a vet for shots and check ups, always assure that they check the eyes thoroughly. If they suspect anything, they may suggest an antibiotic eye ointment. There are veterinary ophthalmologists that can provide a thorough eye exam if your vet suspects that something more serious is brewing in your dog's eyes.
With a tiny puppy, the normal causes of excessive tearing is either teething or irritation due to hair or other debris getting close to the eye. Please visit my page Shih Tzu Eye Problems for more information about eye issues.
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Jun 17, Rating. Tear Stains by: Janice Oh, those ugly eye and face stains. Clean the tear stains by: Anonymous I am contact wear and clean my lens to remove the protein from the lens.
Jun 09, Rating. It can happen to Shih Tzu of all different colors, though it is much more noticeable on dogs with light colored coats. There are a few different causes for this, but one thing is for sure: removing them and keeping them at bay requires concerted effort. The key will be to eliminate all of the possible triggers and treat the stains with an effective product.
If the triggers are not resolved, the tear stains will keep reoccurring. Here, we'll go over exactly what tear stains are, the top causes, and how to successfully remove tear stains from a Shih Tzu puppy or dog. Tear stains can cause hairs to develop a pink, red, rust, or brown tint. The color will vary depending on the exact cause and also the base color of the dog's hair around the eyes.
Since the Shih Tzu breed can be found in a wide range of colors and multi-colors, it can sometimes be hard to know the difference between tear stains and natural coloring. Here are some ways to know the difference:. Points to tear stains:.
The hairs around the eyes should be just as soft and silky as the rest of the coat. It is important to note that tear stains are caused by runny eyes. There will be varying levels of watery eye discharge. In some cases, it will be a very slow dripping that is not noticeable to owners. In other cases, it will be quite apparent. In any case, the discoloration is caused by tears running down around the eyes, in which the hairs become wet with saline. This alone can cause staining. In addition to that, if the hairs remain damp, a red yeast infection can set it, which also causes further staining.
So, when we look at why a Shih Tzu gets tear stains, we are in fact looking at the reasons for runny eyes. Reasons for runny, watery eyes, and therefore tear stains:. These are listed by order of probability. Allergies - This may be contact, food, or environmental allergies.
Food and water bowls - This includes both reaction to plastic dishes, even those that are BPA free. And it also includes sizing issues in which the bowls are too deep, causing a Shih Tzu's face to become damp when drinking or eating wet food. Unfiltered tap water - There are hundreds of dangerous compounds in tap water, including many carcinogens; however, it is a high mineral count that is the culprit in regard to tear stains.
Eye irritants - This includes everything from second-hand smoke to cleaning products being sprayed in the house. Malformations - This includes both larger than normal tear duct glands and smaller than normal tear duct openings.
This also includes eye lash issues trichiasis which is in-grown eyelash es , distichiasis which is when an eyelash es grows from an abnormal spot, and ectopic cilia which is when one or more lashes grow from the inside of the lid. And finally, this includes entropion inverted eyelid. Eye diseases and issues - Eye infections, glaucoma, and other conditions.
Reaction to medications. For puppies: Teething - When a puppy is teething, this can cause temporary water eyes. For the Shih Tzu breed, this typically begins between the 4 to 5 month mark and ends by the 8 to 9 month mark.
If teething causes a pup to have runny eyes, the resulting tear stains may remain long after teething is done, if they are not properly removed. If you want to permanently remove tear stains, it will be vital to first eliminate as many triggers as possible. Oral medications are also sometimes prescribed. Most dogs will need to wear an e-collar the "cone" or lampshade worn around the neck. This collar will keep your dog from pawing at the eyes and rubbing his face.
Do not remove this unless your vet says it is okay. Further irritation can cause serious eye damage. Surgical treatment may be needed in some cases, especially if the cause is due to entropion or another anatomical abnormality.
In complicated cases, you vet may refer you to a veterinary ophthalmologist. If your dog has no underlying health issues, there's a good chance you can prevent excessive tearing and the resulting odor by following a few simple procedures:.
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Featured Video. Related Topics. If you suspect your pet is sick, call your vet immediately. For health-related questions, always consult your veterinarian, as they have examined your pet, know the pet's health history, and can make the best recommendations for your pet.
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