Epífora

In many dogs of coat sure specially caniche toy miniature, can be observed a spot of brown color in the hair in the nasal angle of the eye. Also it is observed in some cats, generally of Persian race. It is a epífora called aesthetic problem, caused by an excess in the production of tears that run by that inferior zone of the eye.
The change of color of the hair happens when the normal bacteria of the hair and the skin react with the tears.

Normally, tears take place constantly that drain outwards through small conduits in the eyelids, these conduits drain in the nose. (for that reason it leaves watery liquid by the nose when it is cried). In the animals when the conduits are blocked, the tears run downwards.

Several causes exist that cause this problem. The races of dogs Persian miniatures and cats have the most prominent eyes, this cause a streching of the eyelid and can block the drainage system towards the nose, it is the most frequent cause, and is very little what it is possible to be made to correct it. Some animals are born with a system of surgically empties abnormal that can or not to be solved.
Sometimes the eyelids are reverted and blocked the drainage, this can be solved by means of surgery.

The hair can act like absorbent, extracting tears of the eye, can be corrected cutting the hair of the zone. Also the excess of tears can be caused by an ocular irritation, caused by a strange body in the eye, allergy or entropión (investment of the eyelid inwards producing an irritation in the cornea), this pathology is corrected by means of an operation because, but it can cause ulcer of cornea and chronic inflammation obstructing the drainage and producing the epífora
These pathologies are painful and must be treated immediately by the Veterinary Doctor.

Continuous the humidity of the zone produced by the tears can produce irritation and infection, is due to maintain the zone clean and the hair in periodic form is due to trim, if it is necessary to use some cream antinflamatoria and antibiotic, if the injury becomes but extensive it is due to resort to the Veterinary Doctor, the most severe cases can require the application of oral antibiotics injectable or and other alternatives of treatment.

Some products exist to clarify the spots, but they can irritate the eyes previously if they make contact with enemy with these, if some type of these products is used, is necessary to put in the eyes some unguento oftálmico.

It is necessary to come up and to deal with which external or physical agents produce more irrtación like by ej: to avoid that it remains the days of wind outside, especially flies dust, that does not remove the head by the window when it is traveled in car, to maintain cleaning the zone and to consult to the Veterinary Doctor before any doubt.

Bibliography

Translation and adaptation: MV Enrique L. Fernandez De Vanna

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