Ask the Vet: Probiotic May Reduce Dog’s Tear Staining

Ask the Vet: Probiotic May Reduce Dog’s Tear Staining
Bronze staining under the eyes of light-colored dogs is not a medical problem but a cosmetic issue. Susan Schmitz/Shutterstock
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Q: Cosette, my 5-year-old white toy poodle, has always had bronze staining beneath both eyes. Every year, her veterinarian examines her eyes and says they look fine, so I assume the bronze staining isn’t a medical problem. What causes it, and what can I do about it?
A: Tear staining is the most common cause of bronze discoloration of the hair under the eyes of light-colored dogs. You are correct that it is not a medical problem but a cosmetic issue. Tears contain porphyrins, substances that bind iron and darken to red-brown when exposed to light. When tears overflow the eyes, the porphyrins stain the fur.
Lee Pickett
Lee Pickett
Author
Lee Pickett, VMD, practices companion animal medicine in North Carolina. Contact her at AskTheVet.pet. Copyright 2024 Lee Pickett, VMD. Distributed by Creators.com
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