Teddy’s celeb vet Dr. Patrick Mahaney has some advice for 7-year-old Teddy poodle, Lola, who asks:
I am a 7 year old Maltese/Poodle Mix and I have a crying problem. No, I’m not sad, I have a wonderful life in which I eat, sleep and play all day, but my eyes always water, and that creates tear stains on my face. Experts say it’s part of my breed. My owner was wondering if there is something that can be done to minimize the tears/staining. Also, is there an easier method of cleaning my eyes rather than me taking a bath?
Love Lola
Dr. Patrick’s answer:
Lola, What a pretty name to match such a cute pooch!
You shouldn’t be crying all the time and there may be an underlying medical reason why. Many dogs with light colored fur have notable tear staining from a substance called porphyrins, which stain light fur pink to red. This worsens as tearing worsens and time goes on. Your owner can always use a soft, clean, dry cloth or “baby wipe” (alcohol free) to wipe the tears from your eyes, but this does not address the potential underlying issue causing tearing.
There is usually a medical correlation between overproduction of tears. Environmental allergens, irritating hairs along the eyelid margins, bacterial or viral infections, and other contributing factors could be occurring in your eyes. Some breeds are more known for these problems, but the issues can be managed or resolved if thoroughly looked into. Make sure that your vet does a thorough evaluation of your eyes. If the issue is not resolving despite the help from your vet, then seek a consultation with a veterinary ophthalmologist.
Oh, BTW, I sure hope your mom puts you in a seatbelt harness or crate for car transport!
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