Gastroenteritis in Dogs

Gastroenteritis is a disease in which the dog's intestinal lining and the stomach are inflamed. This is a digestive disorder in which the intestines do not work correctly. This condition is observed in dogs of all age groups. Every dog breed is susceptible to gastroenteritis.

Symptoms

Persistent vomiting, dehydration and watery diarrhea are the common symptoms of gastroenteritis. Although occasional vomiting is common in dogs, severe or frequent vomiting is certainly not normal and may be the onset of gastroenteritis. In case the dog's vomit or the stool contains blood, then it is pointing towards hemorrhagic gastroenteritis. This is an indication that the dog is bleeding internally and immediate veterinary care is a must. Other symptoms that help recognize gastroenteritis in dogs are as follows:

• Lethargy
• Lack of appetite
• Grumbling noises in the stomach
• Depression and listlessness (lack of energy or enthusiasm)
• Sometimes bile is noticed in the vomit

Causes

Improper diet and infections are largely responsible for causing canine gastroenteritis. Eating spoiled food or ingestion of foreign objects often causes acute vomiting and diarrhea in dogs. Bacterial, viral or fungal infections can also lead to gastroenteritis. Certain medications such as corticosteroids and anti-cancer drugs can cause inflammation in the lining of the gastrointestinal tract. Abdominal disorders like pancreatitis and peritonitis and metabolic disorders such as liver or kidney disease can cause gastroenteritis. The gastrointestinal tract getting infected with parasites or bacteria such as E.coli may also lead to gastroenteritis in dogs.

Diagnosis

Diagnostic tests are needed only when the dog has severe diarrhea and vomiting. In many cases, symptoms of gastroenteritis are short-lived and do not require any elaborate diagnostic tests. However, if the symptoms continue for 2-3 days or the dog experiences diarrhea or vomiting that contains blood, then the following diagnostic tests are performed.

• Complete Blood Count (CBC)
• Stool examination
• Routine urine examination
• X-rays or ultrasound of abdomen
• Blood biochemistry profiling.

Many times, the blood sample of the dog is analyzed to evaluate RBC (red blood cell) count. In case the results show elevated blood count, then there is a high probability that your pet is affected with gastroenteritis. On the other hand, a biochemical profile finds out the amount of enzymes and electrolytes present in the blood. This is a blood test that determines the impact of gastroenteritis on your dog's health by evaluating the functionality of different organs. The test may also help to assess the underlying cause of gastroenteritis.

Treatment

As aforementioned, canine gastroenteritis is typically marked by frequent episodes of vomiting. In fact, the dog vomits every time after consuming food. In such a scenario, the dog should be kept away from solid food for a day or two depending upon the severity of the gastroenteritis. During this period, the doctor is given electrolytes intravenously to prevent dehydration that may occur due to diarrhea and vomiting. Dogs suffering from severe or hemorrhagic gastroenteritis that lasts for more than 24 hours, require immediate veterinary attention. Intravenous fluid administration is recommended to replenish lost fluids. Once the condition stabilizes, a bland diet may be introduced. When the dog stops vomiting, the normal diet may be restarted. If gastroenteritis has occurred due to bacterial infection, use of antibiotics is the mainstay of the treatment. Antiemetics such as Thorazine and Reglan that are formulated to stop vomiting in dogs might also be recommended by your vet. Oral medicines must not be given without consulting a veterinarian as wrong dosage may irritate the already swollen intestinal lining.

Maintaining a proper diet is one of the best preventive measures to avoid canine gastroenteritis. Prevent the exposure of your dog to garbage and trash cans. As a dog owner, you need to monitor your pet's eating habits. Make sure your pet does not eat spoiled or crap food. Ensuring that your pet gets high quality dog food can go a long way in preventing gastroenteritis. The dog's environment must also be kept clean to reduce the chances of infection. These preventive steps can keep your dog healthy and fine for all the years to come.

Read More

How to Choose the Right Dog

You've always wanted a pet dog and you can almost see your new pet - chasing after Frisbees in parks, running like a mad creature in the sun, learning new tricks that make you laugh, throwing up outside your bathroom at 3 in the morning, chewing your rugs and carpets, shedding on every possible thing - thinking of all this, does getting a dog still sound like a good idea to you? If yes, then congratulations you have come to just the right place.

Here is what every dog-owner's (or pet-owner's) mantra should be: A dog is a living, loving, caring, hurting animal. If you are looking for a dog because you think that it will look great in your new car, then think again buddy - your new dog is just about to turn you life into a living nightmare! From tearing up that expensive leather upholstery to vomiting on your designer shoes - your pet dog is going to transform you from being a bachelor to someone who feels, acts and even thinks like a father of three! Remember, you are not buying yourself a watch. Your dog will be like your child - your child that can't speak. So, repeat this mantra a couple of times to prepare yourself. If you are a working person and work all day for six days a week, then you are going to end up with a unhappy and lonely pup on your hands. It isn't your puppies fault.

Personality Match

Choosing a dog is akin to the zen method of self-discovery. Until and unless you really know yourself, you are never going to be able to choose the right dog. For instance, an athlete would quite obviously prefer an active pup. A lazy person would probably go for a dog that doesn't need a lot of exercising. A touchy-feely, sentimental person would love to have a friendly dog. A stuck-up person would prefer to buy a dog that doesn't shed or bark too much. Choosing a dog is very similar to choosing a friend or a mate - you always go for a dog that suits you personality, or compliments it.

How Big is Your Place

Now that you have figured out what breed suits your personality, it's time to see if your dog will fit in with your living space. Before you go ahead and buy yourself a dog, first take a look at your living space. Ask yourself questions like - do you have enough room for a dog? Is your yard carefully fenced? Do you want a big dog or a teeny weeny little terrier? No matter how well a certain breed matches your personality, it is very important to make sure your living space matches it as well. It would be absolutely cruel to keep a big dog like a great dane cooped up in a tiny apartment all day long.

Next, ask yourself whether your schedule is suitable for a dog. Are you at home for a reasonable period of time during the day? How many times will you be able to take your dog for a walk? Remember that like humans, dogs also get lonely and if you are not going to be at home for days on end, your dog is going to get depressed. What's more, you might have to anticipate making changes in your lifestyle in the future. Are you planning on having children? Do you already have children? You don't want to get into an ugly situation where your child doesn't get along with your dog. Make sure you do your homework beforehand and talk to vets, friends, trainers and dog breeders to find out what dog will suit you the best.

Proper Care and Maintenance Affordability

Of course a dog isn't going to make you bankrupt, but owning one is indeed a big investment. Over a period of time, you can expect to spend as much money on your dog as you would on a decent car. But honestly, what would you rather own - a Lexus or extreme love?

The dog itself isn't expensive, but it is the taking care of the dog part that is more expensive. From dog food to veterinary expenses to other things like check-ups, spaying or neutering, flea and tick control, dental care, and so on, your dog is going to cost you a considerable amount of money. There are many places to go to if you are looking for a dog - from the animal shelter to a pet store and even breeders - your pet can be found just about anywhere!

Now that you know why you want a dog, you need to know what you are getting into beforehand. This article has focused on the unglamorous side of taking care of a dog and what you need to know before you adopt/rescue a dog/puppy. If you take good care of your dog and treat it the right way, you will be showered with love and affection. And, who doesn't want love, affection and companionship?

Read More

Ways to Save Money on Your Pet

The last time you were at the pet store, did you end up spending a small fortune on your furry friend? You probably went there for one or two small items, but ended up grabbing all those fun-looking, fuzzy toys on your way out, right? Well, never fear. There are plenty of ways that you can cut back on spending on your cat or dog, and the tips are a lot easier than you might think.

Toys
Cats and dogs are often like children; you buy them an expensive toy and they end up playing with the box it came in. If this is the case with your pet, go ahead and just buy him the box metaphorically, of course. If you pay attention to your pet at play, though, you will find what makes him or her happy and what they just ignore. Some dogs, for example, really love squeaky toys but ignore ropes for tugging. Some cats love playing with ribbons but don't like the laser lights. If your cat or dog likes a specific kind of toy, buy them a few of those but don't buy more until they run out. If your pet likes to play with things that aren't toys, like ribbons or socks, keep some of those handy and don't buy toys at all.

Medication
You can save a bundle on medication for your pet by buying in bulk online. Of course, you should always see your vet before giving any medication to your furry friend, but once you get the prescription, there are a bunch of online suppliers where you can get your pet's medication for cheap if you buy a big supply of them at a time.

Food and Treats
Food and treats for your cat or dog can be very expensive, and you usually don't want to compromise on quality in order to save a few bucks. Lower quality pet food can be made with lots of fillers that aren't very good for your pet's health. Luckily, though, there are some great bargain brands. Compare the ingredient lists to price and find what works best for you and your wallet. Also, dry food is almost always cheaper and healthier. Wet food doesn't help your pet's digestive tract at all, so you may want to switch to dry food if you can. There is also the option of making your pet's food yourself. This is the healthiest way to feed your pet, after you do a little research about what is good for them to eat and what is not. However, even though this is cheaper, it can be very time-consuming.

Bedding
Bedding is a necessity, but that doesn't mean you have to buy it from a pet store. Bedding from your local pet store can cost a lot of money, especially when you can go to your local department store and get blankets and pillows for much less. Dogs, especially, love fleece blankets, and you can always get some fleece and make your own. Similarly, you can get foam padding and make pads for crates and carriers without spending much at all.

Grooming
Grooming is a huge expense when it comes to your pet. If you feel comfortable trimming your own pet's fur, you can absolutely do that at home. If not, there are ways to save. People usually have their pets groomed in the spring and fall, when shedding becomes intense. If you brush your pet every day, this will cut down on the number of times you have to bring him or her to the groomer.

Read More

Whelping Box Plans

Would you, as a human, give birth to your child in a dirty place or even bring up the newborn child in an unhygienic place? Guess not. Even dogs, like humans, need to give birth in proper clean conditions and they too need a proper hygienic place to ensure the safety of their puppies. For your pet dogs who are to be mothers, there is the whelping box. Here are some whelping box plans which you can make at home for the new mother dog.

Whelping Box

For those who have no idea what this is, a whelping box is constructed to ensure the safety of mother dog and her young puppies, after they are born. Some dogs just wander around looking for private places to give birth. Sometimes they usually do so inside a closet or at times maybe on your bed as it is warm and cozy. The mess that is created after birth is difficult to clean up and also the safety of the newborn puppies is not ensured.

The box makes it less stressful for your mother dog as it is her special and private place where she can give birth to her puppies. Even the puppies are not scattered about after they are born. They are confined to one place and close to their mother.

A Few Plans

Before building the whelping house, you need to consider certain things. They are given below.

Size is Important
First you decide on the size of the box. The size usually depends upon the dog breed of your pet. The whelping house for a bulldog will be different from that of a dachshund. The box should be such that the mother dog can stretch fully when on her side. Don't have a size where the puppies are all scattered about. This causes disorientation and insecurity in the mother dog.

Good Location
Now you decide where you want to construct the whelping house. It should be in a place which is safe and secure and which is warm enough and protected from the cold wind and where there won't be much disturbances.

Materials
Next, choose the material with which you want to carry out the construction. It should be sturdy enough to keep the dog and her puppies and also easy to clean. Puppies have a tendency to chew things, so be careful of that when you choose the material.

Design
Decide on the design you want to have for your whelping house. There are many commercial ones available which you can consult. But do follow the basic plans which is that one side of the box should be at least 1 foot high while the other 3 sides should have a height of around 4 feet. This protects the puppies from the cold draft and also from escaping. Also it's easier for the mother dog to jump out whenever she wants to. Also while carrying out the construction, keep in mind that the box should be raised at least 2 to 3 inches off the ground. This is done again to protect the puppies from the cold draft. Inside the whelping box, you can put a pig rails which stick out into the box at least 1 to 2 inches. This is done for the puppies to snuggle into one corner or if the mother dog is sleeping against the rail, the puppies will not be squashed even when she rolls back onto the rail.

A Good Lining for the Box
Both the mother and the puppies need to be kept warm and cozy. Thus, line the box with warm and soft materials. You can use maybe a synthetic lambskin with a rubber backing or maybe some towel. Use materials which can be washed easily and which are also waterproof. Underneath the lambskin it's better if you put some newspapers in order to absorb the urine, the feces, blood or any other kind of liquids which may form after birth and for the next few days.

Construction

Once you have decided upon the size and all other requirements, here's how you should go about in constructing the whelping house.

Materials Required
Before starting, make sure that you have all the materials that you need. You need plywood, screws, screwdriver, drill, and all the other materials that you need to use as for lining and paint and polish.

Procedure

• The size will depend on your dog's size. Let's say for example, you need a 4 feet by 4 feet box (most of the medium-sized dogs fit in this size). So now you cut the plywood lengthwise in half so that you have two 8 feet long and 2 feet high parts.
• Now cut these two parts in half so that you have four, 4 feet long and 2 feet high plywood parts.
• Pick up one section and cut it 1 foot by 1 foot.
• This is used for the door for the mother dog to get out whenever she wants to.
• The rest of the parts will be the walls of the whelping box. Secure these walls with the help of corner brackets.
• Now in each of the walls, cut out a section of 2 x 4 x 8 feet. This will be the 'rails' or the 'pig rails' section in the box.
• Screw two of the rails at least 4 inches off the ground.
• Now trim the opposite sides of the box to fix into the existing rails.
• Now paint or polish your box, preferably using waterproof paint or polish and there you have a whelping house for your dog.
• Put in some soft towels or line it with synthetic lambskin with a rubber backing, to make the dog bed more warm and cozy.

Your dog will love the privacy and the safety of the box. It will take time for the mother-to-be to adjust to her new place, but you have to train her. This box can be reused again for future. So if your dog is about to become a proud mother, give her a place of her own and all the care that she needs.

Read More

Small Dogs - Puppies for Adoption

It is always said that a dog is man's best friend. Indeed the dog was one, among the first animals to be domesticated by mankind. The dogs that are found today are mostly classified into different categories according to the work that they do or their size. Some common types of dogs and their sub-categories are as follows.

• Companion Dogs: Lap Dogs and Poodles
• Guard Dogs: Bulldogs and Molossers
• Hunting Dogs: Retrievers and Setters
• Parish Dogs: Ferals
• Pastoral Dogs: Collies and Welsh Corgis
• Sledge Dogs: Eskimo dogs and Eurohounds

Out of all these dog breeds, the companion dogs are the smallest in size and are prominently used as pets and companions to household. Companion dogs are the best small dogs for adoption. These dogs are preferred as companions by many people due to the fact that they are small in size and also have a very attractive coats.

German Spitz
The German Spitz, also known as the Deutscher Spitz, is a dog breed that originated in Germany. The small dogs for adoption that belong to this breed are miniature in size when they are born and remain very short throughout their lives. The German Spitz also has very flowing and soft fur with abundant hair on its tail. If you are living in the tropical, sub tropical and monsoon region, then your Spitz requires a haircut during the summers. This breed also needs a cool space to lie down and relax during the summers. The diet of this breed is negligible and the dog does not keep on demanding a high calorie food. The German Spitz is especially fond of places like gardens which are a bit cooler than the atmospheric temperature. There are many different categories within the German Spitz breed. These categories are usually classified on the basis of their fur color.

Yorkshire Terrier
Among the small dog puppies for adoption, the Yorkshire terrier is the fluffiest and also the one which needs a good amount of dog care. This breed originated in England in the 17th century and became extremely popular in the mid 20th century. The Yorkshire terrier is one of the favorite lap-dog of the nobility of Europe and is a companion to many ladies from the high-class society. The Yorkshire Terrier has an outstanding intelligence and tends to carry itself very well. According to many dog owners, the Terriers are excellent expression readers, and they always seem to understand the master's emotions. The only drawback of the Terrier is the excessive fur that needs a lot of care and frequent baths.

Papillon
The Papillon is a category of spaniels that originated in Spain, Belgium and France. One of the most noticed features of Papillon dogs is their butterfly like ears and symmetrical faces. The name of this breed is in fact derived from this feature. Papillons are found in a variety of shades and fur colors, that range from black and white, to lemon shade and stable shade. These dogs possess surprising amounts of strengths and are rather fierce and aggressive. Papillons have displayed extraordinary strengths in small dogs competitions.

One must remember that puppies can be costly and require a lot of care and love. These dogs are never good guard dogs or hunting dogs, but are certainly very lovable and faithful companions.

Read More

How to Tell if Your Dog is Pregnant

Most dog owners are at a loss when it comes to determining whether their dog is pregnant. If you have involved your pet in a breeding program, the news of her pregnancy must be something that you must have been expecting. On the other hand, many times owners are not aware of their dog's heat cycles and sometimes the female dog mates with any male dog without the knowledge of her owner. In such conditions, it is very likely that the signs of pregnancy may go unnoticed. However, knowing whether your dog is pregnant or not is very important and for this, you have to know about female dogs in heat before you can find the answer to the question, 'is my dog pregnant?'

Dog Heat Cycle

Normally, the dog heat cycle in a female dog begins when she is six months old. However, this is not same for every dog breed because in some cases, the heat cycle may begin earlier, while for others, it starts only at the age of one. Most dogs experience the heat cycle, also known as estrous cycle at least 2 times in a year which last for 21 days each. This cycle can be divided into three parts which begins with the proestrus stage, followed by the estrus and ends with the diestrus stage. During the first stage, the dog begins bleeding lightly and may also observe swelling of the vulva. Though at this time the dog attracts male dogs towards her, she does not actually invite any of them to mount her. The second stage occurs 5 - 10 days after the beginning of the first stage. It is during the second stage that ovulation occurs in dogs and hence, the chances of conception are the highest during this time. Moreover, during this period the canine will allow any male dog to mount her. The last stage is called diestrus, where the swelling of the vulva starts disappearing and the female canine stops bleeding. She will no longer be interested in male dogs and if she has mated with a male dog during the heat cycle, most likely she will be pregnant.

Is My Dog Pregnant?

To understand if your dog is pregnant, you have to wait at least a few weeks after your dog's heat cycle is over, as she will start showing signs of pregnancy 2 - 3 weeks after conception. Though only a check up by the vet can actually confirm whether your dog is pregnant, there are several signs that you may see when your pet dog is expecting. Read more on signs and stages of dog pregnancy.

• As I said earlier, the swelling of the vulva reduces at the end of the dog's heat cycle. However, if she has mated during the heat period and has become pregnant, it is likely that the swelling of the vulva remains even after the end of the heat cycle.
• Another early sign of dog pregnancy is slight enlargement of the teats (nipples). This happens because the blood supply at the base of the nipples increases during this time and they become prominent around 25 - 30 days. You may also observe vaginal discharge in the dogs, within one month of pregnancy.
• Pregnancy may also cause certain behavioral changes in your dog. Your dog may either become very clingy and loving towards you and other family members or she may become aloof, wanting to be left alone, all by herself. This may raise the question, is my dog pregnant or in heat, in your mind as change in behavior is something you may observe when the dog is in heat too. This doubt can be cleared by getting your dog checked by the vet.
• Change in the dog's appetite is also another sign of a pregnant dog. It has been observed that pregnant dogs are likely to avoid food for the first few weeks. However, this is just a temporary phase and she will regain her normal appetite in a few weeks.
• A pregnant dog may suffer from morning sickness during the initial few weeks of pregnancy where she may vomit clear mucous or food any time of the day. She may seem to be tired as she will spend most of the time resting, instead of playing or running around.

Veterinary Procedures

If you observe any of the above symptoms in your dog, taking her to the vet will help you in knowing whether she is really pregnant. The vet will be able to determine the dog's pregnancy after 21 days of conception. During this time, the doctor will be able to feel the thickening of the uterus and even the bumps within. Apart from this, an ultrasound method can also be used to confirm canine pregnancy. However, this is only possible after 28 days of conception. After 49 - 50 days, an X-ray of the dog's womb can determine the number of puppies present in it. However, not all vets use this method because there is a danger of damage due to radiation. Rather they use the simple abdominal touch method to know the number of puppies in the dog's womb which can only be done by experts.

Signs of Delivery

The average gestation period of dogs is 62 days. However, in some cases, it can be anywhere between 54 - 72 days. Knowing about the signs that your pet dog will show when she is nearing the time of delivery will help you in making the necessary arrangements. As the dog nears her due date, her body will increase in size and you will observe enlargement in the abdominal area. The temperature of the dog normally reduces as she nears her due date. Hence, taking her rectal temperature, time to time will help you in knowing the actual time of her delivery. The dog's normal temperature is 101 degrees Fahrenheit which will drop down, 24 hours before the delivery. Apart from this, one can also determine that the dog is ready to give birth to the puppies with the help of some behavioral changes. She may become restless and you may observe her pacing and panting during this time. It is also normal to observe a greenish vaginal discharge hours before your dog goes into labor.

I hope by now you are able to resolve the question, is my dog pregnant? If you observe any of the above signs in your dog, take her to the nearby vet immediately. If she is pregnant, the vet will give you some important instructions about prenatal care which you should follow to ensure that your canine has a smooth and healthy pregnancy.

Read More

Watery Eyes in Dogs

Normally, dogs have occasional eye discharge or tear overflow, which is considered normal. The tear glands produce tears continuously and these tears are released into the eyes. Each time the eye blinks, the tears are pushed along the outer aspects of the eyelids towards the caruncle (the pink part of the eye near the nose), from where, they get drained to the lacrimal sac located below the eye. These tears are then carried to the nose, so as to keep the nostrils moist. So, tear overflow is not common in dogs, but, in some cases, you may notice watery eyes. This can be caused by various reasons.

Causes

An abnormal overflow of tears in dogs is medically termed as epiphora. Such watery eyes in dogs is associated with eye problems. In some cases, it could be due to overproduction of tears or inadequate drainage of tears from the eyes. The following are some of the common causes of this canine eye condition.

Large-eyed Dog Breeds

First of all, it is very important to understand that some dog breeds are prone to weepy eyes. This is more common in large-eyed dogs like Chihuahuas. Even some other dog breeds like the Maltese, Poodles, Lhasa Apsos, Pomeranians and Pekingese are prone to this condition, which is sometimes referred to as Poodle eye. In large-eyed dogs, excess tear production helps in getting rid of debris and keeping the eyes moist. One of the possible reasons for watery eyes in these dogs is inadequate pooling space to collect the excess tears. So, these breeds are often found with rust-colored streaks of tears on their faces. The color change is due to the chemicals in tears, which react with light. In most cases, this condition does not cause any health problem and are treated for cosmetic reasons, so as to get rid of the tear marks on the face. However, as in other dogs, watery eyes in large-eyed dogs too may be caused by other reasons that are discussed below.

Tear Drainage Problems

As mentioned above, tears get drained from the eyes to the nose, through two minute openings called puncta that are found on the inner corner of the eyelids (on the caruncle - the pink part of the eye near the nose). These openings may get blocked, causing tear flow in dogs. While some dogs (mostly Cocker Spaniels) are born with a defective tear drainage system, some others develop the condition later, due to various other reasons. One such congenital defect is imperforate inferior punctum, wherein the punctum on the lower part of the caruncle is blocked with a conjuctival membrane. It may also happen that some foreign body gets trapped in the punctum or the duct (that leads tears to nose), thereby causing tear flow. Medical conditions like conjunctivitis and entropion, may also cause blockage of the punctum and resultant watery eyes.

Eye Diseases and Disorders

One of the common causes for watery eyes in dogs is eye diseases and disorders. Conjunctivitis is a condition that is characterized by red watery eyes. Another such condition is blepharitis or inflammation of the eyelids. Weepy eyes in dogs may also be caused in case of inflammation of the cornea or keratitis. Other such conditions include corneal ulcers, abrasions, scratches and wounds. Dogs suffering from anterior uveitis (inflammation of the iris and ciliary body) may also develop watery eyes. Dog eye infection and glaucoma are other eye conditions that can cause watery and bloodshot eyes in dogs.

Other Causes

Apart from the above said causes, there are some other reasons for this condition in dogs. These include irritation caused by foreign objects in the eye. In case of dust or other debris, tears may overflow, so as to dislodge the foreign object. Irritation may also be caused by abnormal growth of hair that rubs the eye. It can be distichiasis, a condition, wherein the hair grows in abnormal location or trichiasis, wherein the hair grows in an abnormal direction. In both cases, such hair growth may irritate the eyes and cause eye discharge in dogs. Like in case of humans, dog allergies, especially food allergies, can be a cause of watery eyes.

Treatment

Watery eyes in dogs is a condition that is characterized by symptoms like, overflowing tears, marks of tear flow on the face, dried eye discharge on the edges of eyelids and rubbing of the face. You may sometimes notice additional symptoms like redness, inflammation, squinting and cloudy eyes. Mild cases may subside without any treatment. But, severe and chronic ones and those accompanied with other symptoms, must be checked at the earliest. If you notice such symptoms in your dog, take it to a vet and get the condition diagnosed for proper treatment.

• In case of large-eyed dogs, watery eyes is mostly considered a cosmetic problem due to the rust-colored tear streaks. In such cases, the most probable cause would be inadequate pooling space for tears. This can be countered with medication like tetracycline that hinder the chemical reaction of tears, which causes the rust-colored stains.
• Low dose of tetracycline is given on a daily basis, if the problem remains even after administering the same for a short-term. This medication takes care of the staining problem, but the tear flow will continue.
• Another option is to remove a part of the tear gland, so as to reduce the production of tears. This is usually done, after conducting various tests, like Schirmer tear test. However, such surgery may sometimes lead to dry eye, which could cause eye problems like keratoconjunctivitis sicca, as the dog gets old.
• If you want to avoid medication as well as surgery, then daily care will be sufficient. Wipe of the stained area on a daily basis and remove the stained hair regularly. You may use a mild solution of hydrogen peroxide for wiping the tear stains. Make sure that the solution (mixed in a ratio of 1:10) does not enter the eyes, while wiping.
• In case of blockage of the ducts (that drain tears) or their openings (puncta), then medication or surgery may be required according to the nature of the problem. In some cases, such blockages can be remedied with some flushing techniques.
• If the block is caused by infection and resultant inflammation of the duct or their openings, medication like antibiotics may be administered. In some cases, surgery will be the one way out for remedying such blockage.
• Even eye diseases can cause weepy eyes in dogs and in such cases, treating the specific disease will remedy the condition. The mode of treatment may vary with the type of eye disease.

In case you notice such symptoms in your dog, get the condition diagnosed and treated. Early treatment is always preferred for those with additional and severe symptoms.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and should not be used as a replacement for expert medical advice.

Read More