Ocular Discharge
Both of our
dogs have discharge in both eyes. Besides that they seem to be fine. No
sneezing or fever. Is this normal?
Dogs, like
humans, cats and other animals, have a constant cleaning mechanism for
their eyes. Tears are constantly being produced and wiped across the
eyes by the eyelids to remove dust, germs and debris. The tears dry
into crusts. These crusts may flake off or accumulate in the corners of
the eyes. Small brown crusts are normal. Bilateral discharge is normal.
When one side is worse than the other, a problem may be indicated.
Mucoid discharges, especially if discolored with yellow or green, may
indicate infection. Tears running down one side of the nose from the
eye may indicate a clogged tear duct. Dusty and dirty environments make
dogs form more discharge and crusts and cleaner, indoor environments.
Some breeds seem to have more discharge than others, due to eye
conformation, self cleaning behavior and activity level.
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