Q: Cosette, my 5-year-old white toy poodle, has always had bronze staining beneath both eyes. Every year, her veterinarian examines her eyes and says they look fine, so I assume the bronze staining isn’t a medical problem. What causes it, and what can I do about it? A: Tear staining is the most common cause of bronze discoloration of the hair under the eyes of light-colored dogs. You are correct that it is not a medical problem but a cosmetic issue. Tears contain porphyrins, substances that bind iron and darken to red-brown when exposed to light. When tears overflow the eyes, the porphyrins stain the fur. Tears spill from the eyes for two reasons: 1) increased tear production due to eye pain, whether from hair irritating the eye, a corneal ulcer, or some other problem; or 2) a blocked or malformed tear drainage system. It sounds like Cosette’s veterinarian has …
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