| Another common question or presentation seen in everyday small animal veterinary practice is, “Why does my dog or cat have runny eyes?” Both canine eye discharge and feline eye discharge can have many causes. In some breeds of pets such as the Persian cat or Boxer the flattened conformation of the face often leads to tear buildup in the skin folds in the corners of the eyes. Many times these mild discharges bother the owner more than the pet, and so I often advise clients to leave such issues alone. |  |
Other times eye discharges can sometimes indicate bacterial or viral infections, or can be commonly seen in pets with allergies. If the discharge is thick or discolored yellow or green than a veterinary exam is certainly recommended. Sometimes such pets can also have upper respiratory symptoms of sneezing and nasal discharge, which is usually best diagnosed and treated by your veterinarian. Many other pets can have eye discharges because of clogged tear ducts, which again is best evaluated by your veterinarian who can often flush the tear ducts to allow the tears to flow easier, avoiding buildup in the corners of the eyes.
Many dilute colored breeds will often have dark staining under their eyes because of certain pigments in the tears and/or clogged tear ducts, and many clients will often ask about medications to improve the dark discoloration under these pets’ eyes commonly seen in breeds like the Maltese. There is a very effective product called Angels’ Eyes for dogs and cats that does in fact work quite well, however it relies on the use of using an oral antibiotic called Tylosin, which in my opinion if used long term can lead to imbalance of bacterial populations in the digestive tract and antibiotic resistance of bacteria. That is why I prefer not to use such a product long term. Many dogs develop conditions where their eyes don’t produce adequate tears called dry eye or keratitis sicca, which can lead to a thick mucous buildup on the surface or cornea of the eye. I have found lubricants such as Puralube Vet Ointment and LiquiTears sometimes a more practical economic alternative than the more expensive Optimmune prescribed by many veterinarians. Also I have learned that using a drop or two of Nordic Naturals Pet Cod Liver Oil directly in the eyes 3 to 4 times daily, as well as giving it orally can also help soothe inflamed, dry or ulcerated eyes.
If the above treatments do not help or your pets eyes are severely red or light sensitive, or develops a reluctance to open the eyes or they appear in spasm, it’s always best to have a veterinary exam to rule out more serious eye infections or ulcers, as well as deeper diseases of the eyes such as glaucoma or uveitis. For simple infections or eye ulcers, I have found the inexpensive prescription antibiotics such as Terramycin or B.N.P. Triple Antibiotic Ophthalmic Ointment as effective as some of the more expensive prescription drugs. Neo Poly Dex Opthalmic eye drops are wonderful for those allergic eye inflammations, as long as your vet has ruled out corneal ulcers or scratches first.
Due to the importance of the eyes and the potential for more serious eye conditions, if a client is ever in doubt, it is always best to have a proper eye exam by either a general veterinary practitioner, or a veterinary ophthalmologist, who specializes in eye diseases, in order to rule out more serious diseases of the cornea and inner sections of the eyes.
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4 Comments
Hi Michael
Should you be recommending the Tylsoin based products such as Angels Eyes given that tylosin is not FDA approved for dogs?
[Reply]
Dr. Michael Dym, VMD veterinarian Reply:
June 13th, 2010 at 7:15 pm
Tylosin is actually a very common used antibiotic in dogs often for inflammatory bowel disease, or intestinal bacterial overgrowth. Many drugs are used off label in vet medicine. The reason I dont like angel eyes long term for chronic tear stains is that I feel that you can select out for resistant bacteria by using a product like this other than on occasion.
[Reply]
Sorry Michael
I was refering more to the fact that the FDA say that products such as Angels Eyes are illegal. I think that have started to enforce the law by stopping PetsMart from selling it. have you heard anything about this?
I do understand the importance of tylosin as an extra label antibiotic and just wanted to point out that IMHO it is illegal for dog owners to self medicate with tylosin. The sellers of these products seem to try to hide the fact that they use an antibiotic so it is nice to see a pro pointing out this fact.
Thanks for the prompt reply.
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Dr. Michael Dym, VMD veterinarian Reply:
June 15th, 2010 at 11:52 pm
I have not heard anything about the petsmart issue, but am in total agreement that such an antibiotic like tylosin should not be abused like that as it is a strong antibiotic, best prescribed by a veterinarian, if medically indicated, most commonly in digestive tract diseases.
[Reply]
Thanks once again Micheal.
Can you claritfy whether or not it is illegal for home users to purchase tylosin (or tylosin based products) directly with the aim of using it on dogs (and not livestock) in the USA?
Or is it only illegal in states like California?
I ask because, owners assume that if you can buy something it must therefore be legal and thus approved by the powers that be.
Most of the rest of the world prohibits the purchase of antibiotics without a prescription.
Thanks- and keep up the good work
[Reply]
Dr. Michael Dym, VMD veterinarian Reply:
June 18th, 2010 at 12:24 am
As far as I know, angel eyes has been available without a prescription for years in most states in the USA, even though it does have an antibiotic tylosin in it as a main ingredient.
[Reply]
Hi Michael
I think that you have demonstrated the point that i am trying to clarify.
Let me ask the question another way- Is it legal in the USA to purchase antibiotics to be used off label by home owners WITHOUT a prescription?
Thanks yet again
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