Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: SUNDAY, November 19, 1995                   TAG: 9511200001
SECTION: CURRENT                    PAGE: NRV-22   EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY 
SOURCE: JILL BOWEN
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Short

SCHNAUZER'S TEARS COSMETIC PROBLEM, FOR THE MOST PART

I have noticed that he has a drainage problem with his eyes. They seem to run constantly and make the fur stained and matted. It does not seem to bother him, but the hair around his eyes looks bad.

Do you have any suggestions that would keep him looking nicer?

A: Overflow of tears in a dog is often associated with a problem in eye drainage rather than an overproduction of tears.

It does not appear to affect a dog's vision, but it causes unsightly tear staining on the face and can even lead to loss of the hair in that area, sore skin and, in some cases, eczema.

Local infections may be the most common cause of blocked drainage ducts.

Poor drainage can also be caused by a congenital lack of an opening to the drainage canal or an absence of the canal itself, or by a small stone that may develop in the canal, blocking it.

Dogs also may be allergic to various substances, just like their owners, causing excessive weeping and staining of the eye hair.

Some dogs grow extra eye lashes along the inside margins of the eyelids, causing an irritation that causes more tears.

Take your schnauzer to your local veterinarian and have him check out the condition. Your dog may need only some eye ointment or drops on a daily basis to keep the condition under control.

If further treatment is needed, your veterinarian may refer you to a veterinary ophthalmologist.

If you have a question for Jill Bowen, please write to her in care of the New River Current, P.O. Box 540, Christiansburg, Va. 24073 or send e-mail to Currentbev.net.