Epiphora

                            --------

                      (excessive tearing)



                      General Information



Epiphora (excessive tearing) results in persistent wetness and

often staining of the area below the eyes.  This not only is

unsightly but may become irritating to your pet, since is creates

an excellent bed for bacterial growth.



Causes include allergies, infections, foreign matter, abnormally

located eyelashes and adjacent facial hair that rub against the

eyeball, defects or diseases of the tear drainage system, birth

defects of the eyelids, and infections in other body structures

or areas.



Since there may be more than one cause of epiphora, a complete

cure is sometimes difficult, if not impossible, to achieve.

However, treatment does improve the situation in most cases.



                 Important Points in Treatment



1.  Medication, surgery, cryotherapy (freezing), electropilation

    (removal of extra eyelashes with electric current), or a

    combination of these may be required to correct excessive

    tearing.



2.  Due to the many and complex causes of epiphora, treatments

    may need to be repeated to attain the desired results.



        Notify the Doctor if Any of the Following Occur:



    * You cannot apply the prescribed medication.



    * Your pet continually rubs or paws its eye(s).