While any pet can develop a runny or goopy eye, these issues tend to be more prevalent in small breed dogs. Why?

In this article, we’re going to take a look at some of the more common causes of weepy eyes in small dogs.

What causes runny eyes?

A noticeably weepy eye (a symptom known as epiphora) generally occurs due to eye irritation causing increased tear production, or a problem with tear drainage (with the normal pathway running from the inner corner of the pet’s eye, down through the nasolacrimal duct and into the pet’s nose).

Common eye problems seen in little dogs that can cause increased tear production include:

• Corneal ulcers or scratches (damage to the clear “window” portion of the eyeball due to trauma)
• Long facial hairs draping into the eye and causing irritation
• Abnormally placed eyelashes rubbing against the eye
• In brachycephalic breeds, the eyelids not completely closing over the prominent eyeballs (even during sleep), leading to exposure irritation.

Common eye issues in small breeds that can reduce effective tear drainage include:

• Abnormally shallow eye sockets (which is common in breeds with more prominent eyes, such as brachycephalics, Poodles and Bichon Frise), which allow tears to spill out more easily
• A blocked nasolacrimal duct, which some small dogs are born with or may develop after a previous infection or injury.

Does my pet require treatment?

Any pet who suddenly develops a runny eye that lasts more than an hour or two should be examined, particularly if there are any other symptoms of eye irritation such as redness, squinting, discomfort, or abnormal goopy discharge.

If your pet has had runny eyes for a long time (which may lead to brownish staining of the fur beneath their eyes), it’s also worth having them assessed, as there may be an underlying issue that we can fix!

For more information on eye health in your pet, consult our focused team!