Dog tears - makes crunchies around eyes

[grandmimi]

My 8 mo yorkie female's eyes tear and I am not worried about the stain. I am worried that the tears make debris that bother her eyes. One eye, really, and the debris gets in her eyes and bothers her. I can clean it, and I do, but I would like to know if there is a reason or anything I can do to help her be more comfortable all the time.

[Sweet Apple]

Mine get them, and once a week, on Friday, I comb the crunchy out...I wish they didn't get them, but they do, and that's that...

[Twinkie2Cute]

Twinkie also gets crud in her eyes. I use a flea comb and comb around her eyes about every other day. It works very well.

[BabyBrizzy]

anyone have tips on what to do when they FREAK out when you get near their eyes? My little Aiko, is a rescue and just cries and twists away when I try to clean out her eyes, even though they really need it. Any advice?

[Samuel-Samy]

Originally Posted by BabyBrizzy

anyone have tips on what to do when they FREAK out when you get near their eyes? My little Aiko, is a rescue and just cries and twists away when I try to clean out her eyes, even though they really need it. Any advice?

My Samy does not like being touched here and there.. he is still a puppy and is not used to things.. so what I do is either let him bite on the wet napkin while I clean his eyes with the other end, or I give him a treat, but I hold the treat while he tries to take it off my fingers and with my other hand clean his eyes.. he is too preoccupied trying to take the treat (would still move so I put him in the corner of the couch where the pillow is so he does not have room to move).. it really works..

let me know if you have any success

[BabyBrizzy]

I will try that! She is 3 years and preggers so I try not to upset her, but they need to be cleaned. I am gonna try right now so I will let you know!

[Samuel-Samy]

Make sure that the towel or napkin you use is wet but has no alcohol, perfume or flavour to it.. just pure water really so it does not upset the eyes... If she loves the treat she will want to nibble on it and then you use the tip of the towel/napkin to wet the hairs below the eye and rub it in so the eye boogers (hehehe) detach from the hairs... i then use my nails to pull them off the hairs carefully...

[BabyBrizzy]

ok well that wasnt very fun for either of us! it didnt work to distract her, but I was able to clean out her eyes because she was trapped. Is it normal for the tears to be brown?

[Samuel-Samy]

She will get used to it... also after you clean her eyes give her a treat and praise so she knows she has done well and to get used to it...
I think they are brown and this is normal... Samy does not have much but i am assuming this is because he is still a puppy... my friend's female yorkie has plenty and they are dark brown but the owner does not clean her every day, maybe a couple of times a week... I make sure to do it every day and it happens to be in the same time of the day so he is now actually looking forward to it and gets excited when i pull out the wet napkins he still bites on them but loves the treat

[Samuel-Samy]

Originally Posted by BabyBrizzy

ok well that wasnt very fun for either of us! it didnt work to distract her, but I was able to clean out her eyes because she was trapped. Is it normal for the tears to be brown?

You know, maybe we should also consult with others to find out if it is normal for tears to be brown.. i do not know enough to say it is normal but it seems normal to me (especially seeing many other dogs with brown things under their eyes).

[BonBon]

Originally Posted by Samuel-Samy

You know, maybe we should also consult with others to find out if it is normal for tears to be brown.. i do not know enough to say it is normal but it seems normal to me (especially seeing many other dogs with brown things under their eyes).

I believe it's normal for tears to appear brown. This is what causes the "staining" that's so noticeable on breeds like the maltese. My babies occasionally have brownish tear trails on their faces.

I've heard of several things that "might" help stop or at least reduce tearing. One is putting a few drops of apple cidar vinegar in their drinking water. Another is to use distilled water for their drinking water. These 2 things have worked for some, not for others. The last thing I can think of that might cause the tearing is their food. Many YT'rs have said their pups have heavy tearing on certain foods - what are you feeding?

[grandmimi]

I don't think the tears are brown, but the debris (crunchies) turns brown when exposed on the skin. I have an older yorkie whose eyes water and she gets lots of crunchies and I clean her eyes and put eye drops and salve in them (vet prescribed). He says she has non-functioning tear ducts and needs the drops and salves he precribes. I was looking (and hoping) the younger female had another problem I could solve. Grandmimi

[kristy47]

I acutally use contact solution to rub on that part. I always have a little left over in the bottle I use and use that on Sophie. I think I heard that suggestion on here somewhere. It helps loosen the boogies and even helps the stain

[capt_noonie]

Haha, we call those crustables. When they are bone dry (like when they wake up in the morning) it's easy to comb them out. If they are a bit damp or wet, I think it bothers them more to comb out. But when they are damp is the best time to wipe with a napkin. Sometimes you just gotta use two people. One to hold the head, and the other to hold the crusty in one hand and the comb in the other. After you are done don't forget to praise! You just have to keep doing it, and they will realize it is a part of life.

[Sweet Apple]

Originally Posted by BabyBrizzy

anyone have tips on what to do when they FREAK out when you get near their eyes? My little Aiko, is a rescue and just cries and twists away when I try to clean out her eyes, even though they really need it. Any advice?

wait 'till they are really really really sleepy....then go slow, and be gentle....