Watery Eyes (Epiphora) in Dogs: Vet Guide & Care 2025 🩺🐾

By Dr. Duncan Houston BVSc

Hello, I’m Dr Duncan Houston BVSc, veterinarian and founder of Ask A Vet. Excessive tearing in dogs—known as epiphora—is not a disease itself but a visible sign. Often it indicates underlying irritation or drainage issues. Tear stains, damp skin, odor, and secondary infections are common. In this 2025 guide, we’ll examine causes, diagnostics, treatment, home care, and how Ask A Vet. 🐶💙

1. What Is Epiphora?

Epiphora is the overflow of tears onto the face, caused by either excess tear production or poor drainage through the nasolacrimal system. Tears normally drain via ducts beside the nose, but overflow can cause visible dampness below the eyes and reddish-brown staining.

2. Why It Happens: Common Causes ⚠️

• Irritants & allergies: Dust, pollen, smoke, insects—or conjunctivitis—trigger overproduction.
• Anatomical factors: Brachycephalic breeds with facial folds, prominent eyes, or entropion are predisposed.
• Blocked tear ducts: Obstruction from infection, inflammation, trauma, or congenital anomalies.
• Corneal ulcers or injuries: Serious conditions causing tearing, plus redness/squinting.
• Dental issues: Extension of oral inflammation or infection affecting tear ducts.
• Dry eye (KCS): Paradoxically increases tearing due to reflex lacrimation.
• Glaucoma or tumors: May present with watery eyes, pain, and other ocular signs.

3. Recognizing the Signs 🕵️♂️

• Persistent dampness under the eyes, with reddish-brown porphyrin stains.
• Odor or skin irritation from moisture.
• Red, itchy, or watery eyes—may indicate conjunctivitis, allergies, or ulcers.
• Squinting, blinking, eye pain—urgent in severe cases.
• Tear-stained facial fur is common in white-coated dogs.

4. Veterinary Diagnosis 🔬

• Physical exam: Evaluate eyes, eyelids, nasal folds, face anatomy.
• Schirmer tear test: Measures tear production using filter paper strips.
• Fluorescein stain: Detects corneal ulcers under UV light.
• Tonometry: Assesses intraocular pressure for glaucoma.
• Lacrimal duct flush: Tests the patency of tear drainage.
• Additional tests: Allergy tests, imaging, dental exam if indicated.

5. Treatment Options 🛠️

5.1 Address Underlying Conditions

• Allergies or conjunctivitis: Topical antihistamines or antibiotics; inflammation-controlled.
• Corneal ulcers: Antibiotic drops, pain relief, and possible surgery.

5.2 Tear Duct Issues & Surgery

• Flush duct: Clear obstructions and irrigate with saline.
• Surgery: Correct entropion, ectopic eyelashes, skin folds, or reroute ducts for persistent blockages.

5.3 Dry Eye & Supportive Care

• Artificial tears or ointments: Multiple times daily for KCS.
• Cyclosporine or tacrolimus: Stimulate tear production in immune-mediated cases.

6. Home Care Tips 🏡

• Gentle cleaning: Wipe eyes with a warm, damp cloth to remove tears and prevent infection.
• Trim facial hair: Prevent irritation from fur near eyes.
• Manage environment: Avoid irritants like smoke, pollen, and wind.
• Protective gear: Use dog goggles during outdoor activities in dusty or windy conditions.
• Nutrition & supplements: Omega‑3 fatty acids support ocular surface health.

7. Prevention & Long-Term Strategies

• Routine grooming and facial care for high-risk breeds.
• Annual eye exams to detect early signs of KCS or glaucoma.
• Prompt vet visits if eye tearing increases, changes, or becomes bloody or mucus-like.

8. Support from Ask A Vet 💡

• Ask A Vet: Telehealth consultations for flare-ups, cleaning instructions, and follow-up.

9. When to Contact the Vet 🚨

• Sudden redness, swelling, pain, squinting, or discharge.
• Bloody, green, or pus-like discharge.
• Signs of vision loss or corneal ulcer.
• Persistent tear staining despite cleaning.

10. Final Thoughts 📝

Epiphora is a common, visible sign of underlying eye or anatomical issues. Identifying the cause—whether irritants, tear drainage problems, dry eye, ulcers, or allergies—is vital. With proper veterinary care, regular cleaning, and supportive tools from Ask A Vet, , most dogs live comfortably and tear‑free in 2025. 🐾💙🌟