My vet suggested they were due to allergy. Sure enough we lucked out big time and a simple Benadryl a day is keeping the nasty drainage at bay. She's been here 5 years and on the stuff for 4 of those years. Not happy she needs it but it is doing a great job. Ginger has a clean face. Some fuzzy faced dogs have hair irritating the cornea or eyelashes growing in. Sometimes small breed dogs have blocked or incomplete tear ducts. I had her ducts checked when she was under for a dental and they were fine.