English Bulldog Tear Stains

If you have a white English Bulldog tear stains can be an unsightly problem. They are brown or red marks or streaks from the eyes. Generally they are wet and it looks as though the dog is crying because there are tears running down his face.

What causes them?

The medical name for this condition is Epiphora a medical term that comes from two Greek words that literally mean to "bear or carry upon". The symptom of the condition is that the fur around the dog's eyes is wet and becomes stained with either red or brown.

It has a variety of causes but is nearly always an indication that something else is wrong.

What Causes English Bulldog Tear Stains?

Common causes are ear infections, yeast infections, an allergic reaction to food or other irritants, fleas, minerals in the drinking water and blocked tear ducts.

Like everything in life, for every problem there's a product to give you a solution and English Bulldog tear stains are no different. In many cases though common sense and good hygiene will go a long way towards relieving the problem.

Before you rush out and buy a product here are a few things that you can try first.

• Fleas like damp, so wet fur from runny eyes is perfect for them. When they bite it causes bleeding, which is what could be staining the fur red. Always make sure that your pets have good flea prevention treatments on a regular basis.
• Ear infections can affect the immune system and block up the tubes that ventilate and drain the ears, eyes and nose. Being "run down" means that the dog is more susceptible to runny eyes and tear stains. Visit the vet for advice on dealing with the infection.
• Blocked or infected tear ducts. One set of ducts flow from special glands, providing tears to keep the eye clean and healthy. The other set drain away the "used" tears. If the first set is producing too many tears or the second set is blocked then the tears overflow and run down the dog's face, causing the staining. Surgery may be required to clear a blocked duct and a visit to the vet for help with clearing any infection is also in order.
• Red yeast makes the reds stains, so it's possible that a yeast infection is causing the problems. Get advice from your vet.
• Allergies, such as food ingredients, pollen, dust or even cigarette smoke make cause your pet's eyes to run. If you suspect an allergic reaction then remove the irritant if at all possible. See our food allergy page for more information on diet changes.
• Certain minerals in drinking water may stain the fur around the face. For example, if there's iron in the water this will go rusty when it's exposed to the air. Damp fur will turn red. Consider using a drinking bottle instead of a bowl of water or use bottled water instead of tap water.

How can it be prevented?

As tear staining can be an indicator of overall health taking your pet for regular health checks, at least every 6 months, is a sensible precaution.

Keep the eyes and face clean. Regular cleaning with a damp washcloth will help to prevent dirt and debris from getting into the dog's eyes. As you know from personal experience, if you have something in your eye the eye will produce tears to try and dislodge the irritant.

For dogs with longer hair (not bulldogs) owners or groomers will trim the stained hair. The new hair won't have the stains.