Understanding Shih Tzu Eye Discharge and How to Prevent It

Shih Tzus are prone to eye discharge, which can be a sign of an underlying issue.

Eye discharge in Shih Tzus can be caused by an overproduction of tears, which can be triggered by allergies, environmental factors, or even anatomic abnormalities in the eye.

Regular cleaning of the eyes is crucial to prevent the buildup of discharge and potential infections.

In fact, studies have shown that daily eye cleaning can reduce the risk of eye infections by up to 50%.

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Shih Tzus are prone to excessive tearing due to their shallow eye sockets and hair growth in skin folds around the eyes.

Eye discharge in Shih Tzus can be caused by various factors, including eye infections, glaucoma, eyelash or eyelid problems, and corneal ulcers.

Excessive tearing can lead to chronic tearing that produces stains under the dog's eyes.

Here are some common symptoms of eye discharge in Shih Tzus:

Red or pink in the whites of their eyes or around their eyelids, light sensitivity, or swollen eyelids can also be indicative of an underlying issue.

Eye boogers are a buildup of ocular discharge at the inner corners of a dog's eyes. This buildup can be similar to the sleep crust people wake up with in the morning.

They're primarily a mixture of mucous, tears, and skin cells, and are technically referred to as rheum. Eye boogers can appear after your dog has been sleeping or continually build up throughout the day.

It's not uncommon for dogs to have eye boogers, and they can be a normal part of a dog's eye health.

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If you notice your dog has crusty or moist blobs of material in the corners of their eyes, it could be a sign of eye discharge. These blobs can be clear, white, yellow, red, green, dark brown, or black in color.

The color of your dog's eye boogers can help you determine if it's a normal, harmless issue or something more serious. Redness might just be a normal pigmentation from tears or the presence of blood, but profuse yellow or green discharge could indicate an infection.

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Eye discharge can be caused by allergies, physical debris, or even a foreign body like an eyelash. A watery discharge or mucus from one eye is often a sign of a foreign body, while yellow-green or pus-like eye discharge could indicate a serious infection.

Some common symptoms of eye infections in dogs include excess tearing, excessive winking or blinking, and yellow-green discharge from the eye. Your dog might also paw at the eye or keep it closed.

Here are some common symptoms of eye infections in dogs:

In addition to these symptoms, your dog might have red or pink in the whites of their eyes or around their eyelids, light sensitivity, or swollen eyelids.

Corneal abrasions, often caused by trauma, are a common cause of eye infections in dogs. This can happen when a dog rubs at their eye, a grain of sand enters the eye and scratches the surface, or a thorn or stick cuts the cornea as the dog rushes through the bushes.

Dry eye syndrome, also known as keratoconjunctivitis sicca, can also lead to eye infections. This condition causes a lack of tears, leading to the accumulation of mucus and an overwhelming number of bacteria.

Infections of the eyelids can also lead to eye infections in dogs, as the eyelids are in close contact with the eyeball. These infections often cause the eyelids to become swollen, red, and may have lumps or bumps that rupture into skin ulcers.

Here are some common causes of eye infections in dogs:

It's worth noting that not all eye infections are caused by the same thing, and the severity of the infection can vary greatly from one dog to another. If you suspect that your dog has an eye infection, it's essential to take them to a veterinarian as soon as possible for proper diagnosis and treatment.

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Diagnosing eye discharge in Shih Tzus requires a visit to the vet if the discharge is excessive, malodorous, or yellow/green.

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A veterinarian will examine your Shih Tzu's eyes with a retina scope to assess the health of the eyeballs, and x-rays may be required to determine physical abnormalities or tumor growths.

Your vet will take a history of symptoms and conduct a comprehensive eye exam for diagnosis and prescription of appropriate treatment. This includes ocular tests that will confirm a diagnosis, such as a Schirmer tear test and fluorescein stain uptake.

If your Shih Tzu has clear eye discharge, it's likely caused by allergies or something physical, like dust in the eye or wind blowing in the face.

Diagnosing problems in your furry friend can be a bit of a challenge, but with the right tools and knowledge, you can get to the bottom of what's going on. A veterinarian may examine your dog's eyes with a retina scope to assess the health of the eyeballs.

If your dog's eye discharge is clear, it's likely caused by something simple like allergies or a physical irritant like dust. However, if the discharge is yellow or green, it could be a sign of a serious infection.

To determine the cause of the eye discharge, your vet may use x-rays to check for physical abnormalities or tumor growths. This is especially important if the discharge is excessive, malodorous, or accompanied by other symptoms like redness or swelling.

Here are some common signs of a dog eye infection, grouped by the duration and severity of the infection:

Treatment for problematic eye boogers in dogs may involve various eye ointments and drops to address inflammation, infection, high eye pressure, or wounds. These may include topical antibiotics for corneal ulceration, artificial tears for dry eye symptoms, and oral antibiotics for eyelid infections.

Tear ducts may need to be flushed if they are blocked, and surgery may be necessary in rare cases. In some cases, eyelids may need to be surgically corrected, growths removed, or corneal ulcers treated surgically. In severe cases, an eye may need to be removed if it is severely injured or painful.

If eye boogers are allowed to build up on your dog's face, they can irritate the skin and cause infections, so it's essential to gently wipe them away before they get to this point.

If your dog has eye discharge, it's crucial to differentiate between allergies and infection. If only one eye is affected, the cause is likely infection or inflammation. Allergic conjunctivitis can cause both eyes to be affected and is often accompanied by increased tearing and blinking.

Here are some common signs of dog eye infections:

If you notice any of these signs, it's essential to seek veterinary care promptly.

Yellow or green mucus discharge may indicate an eye infection or another serious eye condition.

If you notice a thick crust around your Shih Tzu's eyes, it could be a sign of this type of discharge.

Dogs with cloudy or white eye discharge are likely experiencing eye inflammation, often due to allergies.

Eye inflammation can also be caused by corneal ulcers, dry eye, or a foreign object irritating the eye.

Yellow or green mucous discharge may dry and form a thick crust around the eyes.

Contact your veterinarian if you notice any of these signs, as they can help determine the cause and provide the necessary care.

Eye problems in Shih Tzus can be a real concern, especially when it comes to eye discharge. Shallow eye sockets can cause tear stains, but there's no way to stop the discharge entirely.

Minimizing skin irritation and coat discoloration is the goal in this situation. Keeping hair near the eyes trimmed very short can help, and treating infection or glaucoma if present can also make a difference.

Some eye problems in Shih Tzus are completely normal, like rheum, a gooey material that can be found in the corners of their eyes. This is normal if it's clear or slightly red or brown and seen in small amounts.

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However, excessive eye discharge can be a sign of a more serious issue, like conjunctivitis, which is an inflammation of the lining of the eye. Symptoms include redness, puffy eyelids, stringy discharge, watery eyes, and pawing at their eyes.

Conjunctivitis can be caused by allergies, injury, birth defects, tear duct problems, foreign matter, dry eye, distemper, or even tumors. It's essential to take your Shih Tzu to the vet at the first sign of these symptoms, as it can lead to blindness if left untreated.

Here are some common causes of eye boogers in Shih Tzus:

Shih Tzus with eye problems may exhibit symptoms like red and watery eyes, sensitivity to light, squinting, rubbing the eyes with a paw, or rubbing on furniture/floor, and discharge from the eye. Treatment may require antibiotics, corneal repair drops, anti-inflammatories, or surgery.

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