Weepy Eyes in Dogs

If the discharge coming from your dog’s runny eye is clear, there are a range of possible causes. In many cases it will be allergies or a reaction to dust or wind. Clear discharge can also be due to blocked tear ducts, corneal wounds or eye abnormalities in certain breeds such as prominent eyes, hairs irritating the cornea or rolled-in eyelids. Alternatively, if the discharge is watery and just coming from one eye, it could be a sign of something more serious such as glaucoma.

When the discharge is clear, it’s also important to look at how much there is. If it’s only a small amount and the eye doesn’t look red or sore, there may be no need to worry, but it’s always safest to get advice from your vet if you’re in any doubt.

Red tear stains are usually seen on dogs with lighter coloured fur and they may look alarming, but don’t worry, the red colour is not due to blood. Tears turn red like this when they’re exposed to air, so the red/brown hue is just due to oxidisation.

Often, red/brown staining is a cosmetic issue in flatter faced breeds such as Pugs and French Bulldogs who have prominent eyes and tend to get a bit of tear overflow. However, sometimes tear staining can indicate a treatable eye problem causing excessive tear production or inadequate drainage. If in any doubt, check with your vet. To reduce tear staining, you can wipe the area with a damp cloth.

Yellow or green discharge is generally a cause of concern and your dog should be taken to the vets straight away for treatment.

The most common cause for yellow or green discharge is an eye infection. In this case your dog may show other signs of conjunctivitis such as eye redness, inflammation and soreness.

Sometimes an infection is the primary problem, but sometimes it can develop secondary to other conditions such as dry eye or an eye injury.

Whatever the cause of the yellow/green discharge, it is likely to require treatment, so it’s best to get your dog checked out by your vet.

If your dog’s weepy eye is slightly crusty or gloopy in the morning, this isn’t necessarily a cause for concern – it’s just like what we humans get when we wake up. This crust is a combination of dried tears, dust, oil and dead cells and you can wipe it away easily with a clean, damp cloth.

However, if your dog has more than a small amount of this discharge, or it recurs throughout the day, it may indicate an underlying problem. One cause of sticky or crusty discharge is dry eye, a condition in which dogs are unable to produce enough tears. This condition can be very sore and if left untreated your dog’s vision can deteriorate, so it’s worth a vet trip if you have any concerns.