Last Updated on February 24, 2022 by Griselda M.
Yorkies have distinguished beautiful long silky hair falling over their eyes and face that may lead to Yorkie eyes discharge. The long beautiful hair is one of the main reasons that makes you fall in love with this fluffy puppy. However, it can be the reason for many Yorkie eye problems especially if you do not groom it well. Moreover, there are many other Yorkie eye infections that cause this discharge. Each discharge color refers to a specific infection that your vet would diagnose. Continue reading to learn more information about Yorkie eye infections, discharge, and how to deal with such cases.
Table of Contents
What Is Yorkie Eyes Discharge?
If your Yorkie was sleeping for a long period, you may notice that crusty substance in its eyes, this is normal. However, if you see a runny or crusty discharge that occurs often, you should seek medical advice to detect the cause. Eye discharge is not a disease, in fact, it is a symptom of an underlying disease.
What Are The Types of Yorkie Eyes Discharge?
Not all eye discharges are the same, however, there are different types of Yorkie eye drainage and each one could be an indication of a disease.
Clear Discharge
The cause of clear discharge probably is an allergic reaction or something physical like wind or dust. The prognosis is good so do not worry.
Watery or Mucus Discharge
If it is in a small amount, no worries this is normal. However, if present excessively, mostly the cause is something that got into your Yorkie’s eyes like an eyelash.
Yellow-green Or Pus-like Discharge
The cause may be a certain infection that you should go to the vet.
White Or Grey Discharge
It can be a result of dry eye.
Bloody Discharge
If you saw bloody discharge, go to the vet immediately as it can be a sign of a serious infection that may be a life-threatening one.
What Are The Causes of Yorkie Eyes Discharge?
There are many reasons for Yorkie eyes discharge that cause Yorkie tears stains. Some of them are serious that need to go to the vet, but others can be handled home.
Read more about How To Remove Dog Eye Crust? 6 Easy Ways To Remove It In Your Home
Conjunctivitis
Conjunctivitis refers to an inflammation within the lining of Yorkie’s eyes. There are many reasons for this inflammation including allergies, distemper, dry eye, injury due to a foreign object, or birth defects. Signs of conjunctivitis include redness of the eye because of inflammation, squinting, pawing at its eyes as itching, or crusty eyes.
Additionally, you can see watery eye discharge or yellow-green pus. If your dog suffers conjunctivitis, your vet will prescribe antibiotics and antihistamines. Furthermore, the vet would wash Yorkie’s eyes with saline and treat the case more specifically depending on the cause of inflammation.
Flat Face
Yorkies are one of the breeds with a relatively flat face that makes their eyes protrude outside. This protrusion makes their eyes prone to inflammations, irritants, and discharges.
Unusual Eyelashes
The eyelashes of Yorkies are unlike other breeds, they grow from the duct of the eyes near the edge of the eyelids. This makes them prone to Yorkie eye problems and discharge.
Corneal Ulcer
The cornea of the eye is the shiny transparent membrane of the eye. A corneal ulcer is a deep erosion in the cornea due to trauma, injury, lack of tears, chemical burn, or infections. Signs of a corneal ulcer include pawing at the eyes, redness, watery eyes, squinting, and light sensitivity.
The vet will prescribe some anti-inflammatories to reduce the inflammation and antibiotics. Additionally, surgery may be required depending on the cause.
Epiphora
Epiphora means excessive tearing or watery eyes to the extent of causing Yorkie tear stains of the fur. There are a variety of reasons for epiphora such as corneal ulcers, unusual eyelashes, inflammations, or allergies. The treatment depends on the cause, however, the vet may prescribe topical anti-inflammatories and antibiotics. Moreover, if your dog has unusual eyelashes, the vet will remove them surgically.
Dry Eye
If your dog suffers from dry eye. this means that its eyes can not produce enough amounts of natural tears to lubricate the eyes. This leads to sticky tenacious eye discharge, pain, inflammation of the eye, and excessive blinking. Causes of dry eye include eye injury, a tear-producing gland injury, distemper, autoimmune disease, corneal ulcer, a bacterial infection (Chlamydia), or may be congenital.
Treatment of dry eye depends on the reason that should be cured first. If the cause is a bacterial infection, the vet will prescribe antibiotics along with antiinflammatory. If the reason is an autoimmune disease, immunosuppressant drugs could be a solution. Moreover, the doctor will recommend using lubricant and sometimes surgery can correct the problem.
Glaucoma
Glaucoma is a disease that refers to increasing the intraocular pressure within the eyes. An injury or a disease can lead to glaucoma such as inflammation of the interior of the eye (Uveitis), eye bleeding, injury of the lens, or tumor. If your dog got glaucoma, you may observe the following signs: watery discharge, eye pain, appetite loss, lethargy, cloudy or bluish cornea. The prognosis of glaucoma depends on how quickly would you reduce the pressure of the eye. If you interfere as soon as possible, medications will correct the defect without damage. However, if you waited or went to the vet after a while, damage to the eye would occur leading eventually to blindness.
Wrap up
Yorkie eye discharge is a sign of many diseases in case of being excessive. However, if the discharge is minimal that does not lead to Yorkie tear stains, this can be normal due to long periods of sleeping or Yorkie’s flat face. To prevent having Yorkie eyes discharge, trim the long hair of the face around your pet’s eyes. Be vigilant while using high-quality shampoos, soaps, or fleas and ticks medications, keep them away from your Yorkie’s eyes to minimize irritation. Furthermore, check your dog’s eyes to observe any abnormal signs. The normal eye should be bright and crust-free with pupils that are of the same size. Additionally, the mucus membrane of the eye should be pink, not white or red. For further inquiries, please let me know in the comments below.