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Tear StainsOn many white dogs, like the Westie, you may see a brown or pink stain on the skin and hair below the inside corner of the eye. This is a common cosmetic problem caused by an overflow of tears onto the cheeks. The colour change of the hair and skin occurs when the normal bacteria on the hair and skin react with the tears. In normal Westie's, tears are constantly produced and drain out through small ducts in the eyelids. The ducts empty into the nose. In Westie's with blocked ducts, the tears overflow the lids and run down the face. There can be several causes of the overflow of tears. Some dogs are born with an abnormal drainage system that may or may not be surgically correctable. Hair is like a wick, drawing the tears out of the eye. This can be corrected by removing the offending hair. In some cases tear overflow may be due to excessive tear formation caused by irritation of the eye by a particle of something in the eye, an allergy, or an abnormal eyelid or eyelash which turns inward and rubs against the surface of the eye.
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