tear stains on white dogs

[Merrie Lynn & Buddy]

HELP!  Does anyone have any suggestions on how to tear stains on white dogs?

[Carol Brand]

Staining is caused by red yeast growing in the wet areas on the face.  There are products out there that will inhibit the growth of yeast typically through the inclusion of a low level antibiotic called Tylan (or you can give Tylan directly).  However, you are simply treating the symptom and not the cause.

 

Why are your dog's eyes running?  Does it have allergies?  Does it have a blocked or misplaced tear ducts?  Is the dog teething?   This is what you need to investigate. 

 

Edited to add... there are a ton of old wives tales out there:  put vinegar in the water... only serve distilled water etc.  I've never found any of them to actually work.

[Merrie Lynn & Buddy]

Thanks for the info.  I will definately talk to my vet about this.  He is my powder puff chinese crested and he is so pretty except his eyes make him look like an old man.  I emailed my breeder and she suggested peroxide with a q tip

[Jennifer,Chloe & Myla]

I heard the same.

[Merrie Lynn & Buddy]

Is that available in stores,Karen or do you have to order it?

[Carol Brand]

Yes, but do your dog's eyes still run?  Eye Envy won't do anything to stop the eyes from tearing.

[Merrie Lynn & Buddy]

what I am looking for is a solution to the tearing

[Carol Brand]

You probably need to see an ophthalmologist.   The Doc will do a dye test (dye is dropped into the eye and the doc will check to see if it runs out the nose) to see if your dog's tear ducts are clogged. If they are clogged or too small, they can be surgically cleared/enlarged.  If, however, it is an eye shape issue then you are out of luck. I've found that runny eyes are generally familial.  If the dam or sire has runny eyes, chances are the puppies will too.  Do you remember what the dam looked like?

Other than that, have you explored the allergy idea?  How old is your dog?  Is there any chance that it is teething? I had a bitch who had runny eyes until she was almost 18 months old and then she outgrew it.

 

 

[daryl]

I suspect that intrusive surgery probably wont be necessary.

 

The antibiotic based products are very effective but they are not risk free. Additionally they are not legal to use, yes \ am aware that in the USA you are able to purchase them over the counter. Nevertheless only vets are allowed to prescribe tylosin (aka tylan) to dogs or cats. Frankly I am glad that it is not legal to use the like of Angels Eyes. Bacterial resistance is increasingly a big problem for all lifeforms.

 

I'd suggest that you look at the diet to start with. Most, but not all, dog foods are bulked out with cheap grains such as maize/corn ad wheat. Neither of which is a natural part of a dog's diet. Many dogs are intolerant of these grains and seem to tear more because of them.

 

I you can reducing the levels of tears then you will reduce the degree of staining.

 

If diet alone is niot enough then consider a natural tear stain supplement rather than one of the antibiotic based products. Two of the best natural supplements are Angels Delight and NaturVet. I used to buy the angels deight until i discovered that the NaturVet is much cheaper

 

http://bichonhotel.co.uk/shop/index.php?main_page=product_info&... angels elight

 

http://www.naturaldogs.co.uk/store/natural-tear-stain-remover-food-...  naturvet tear stain supplement

 

Bot product do work but in different ways. I can explain the chemistry of tears if you want me to- don't wanna bore people otherwise

 

 

[Allen and Pamela Kerstetter]

I have heard different tales (or tails) of what to do to avoid tear stains.  Apparrently they are working for us.  First only let them drink from a slightly elevated stainless steel dog dish and give the Duke a little yougurt daily. We let hims lick out the end of our yougurt cups.  Yes we use plain and fruit flavored.  He loves peach, cherry flavored, etc.  

Good luck. We still have to get the dried black sleep off that we pick off, but no stains and he is 2 years old.

[Carol Brand]

Did he have tearing when he was younger?  So my question to you would be, have you done a test to see if the tearing comes back if you use a ceramic bowl on the floor and don't feed him yogurt?