Raw, Scabbed Skin Under a Senior Boxer Mix's Eyes
by A reader
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ps. She has always had sensitive skin too. And we had a large cyst taken off her leg this past spring.
Tear staining by itself is harmless, but raw, bleeding skin that spreads from under the eyes toward the mouth is a skin problem that needs a vet. Constant tears keep the skin wet, which lets yeast and bacteria grow, and the itch makes dogs rub, which breaks the skin further.
Other things that can look like this include allergies (the face is a common itch spot), skin infections, a type of mange that lives in the hair follicles, immune skin diseases that like the face and nose, and, in white dogs with a lot of sun exposure, sun damage that can change over time. Her history of sensitive skin makes allergy and infection more likely, but at 9 years old the vet should rule out the others.
Until she is seen, keep the area gently clean and dry with a soft cloth and plain water or a saline eye wash, keep her out of strong sun, and try to stop her rubbing it. Your vet will likely do a skin scraping, cytology, and possibly a small biopsy if it doesn't respond, and should check why her eyes are watering so much.
See skin infections in dogs and watery eyes and tear stains in dogs.
This is general information, not a diagnosis. Please follow your own vet's advice.
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