Dog Tear Stains
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Visitor's Dog Tear Stains Question
- Our Yorkie seems to have eye stain, and I do not know how to get it out of her fur safely. What tips do you suggest? She has two dark streaks between her eyes and her nose. We have just recently changed her water and food to help alleviate any allergies.
Thanks~~Cinderella
Expert Reply
Hello Cinderella,
Tear stains are a bit difficult to remove, and unless you are able to remedy the cause, they'll just come back. The actual staining is caused by bacteria and red yeast growth that thrive in the warm moist environment, giving the hair that reddish-brown stain and musty smell.
Some dogs have an inner set of a few lashes in the corner of their eyes that provide a constant irritant, causing excess tearing. Sometimes, it's the tear ducts themselves that are infected and causing the problem. A veterinarian can remedy both of these causes, so it's worth having your dog examined to determine the actual cause of the staining.
As for removing the stain, first, I recommend regular face washing. You can wash your dog's face several times a week without giving her a full bath, then blow the area dry on a cool to warm dryer setting. Just be very careful around her eyes. There are grooming shampoos available at many pet supply stores formulated to help reduce the stain. A company called 8 in 1 makes tear removal pads called Tear Clear that will also help clean the stains away, and are more convenient than full face washing.
Many groomers/handlers, myself included, will trim the hair away from the corner of the eyes to help eliminate the "stain trail"; however, using scissors around your dog's eyes can be dangerous, so don't hesitate to have a professional groomer perform this task for you.
Hope you find this advice helpful.
Kelly
Dog Face Stains
I have a ten-year-old white female Lhasa Apso whose eyes have been tearing badly for the last six months. There are reddish-brown stains below her eyes, around her nose, face, and on her front paws.
Do you have any suggestions on what I might do to remove this or to stop the tearing? Could it be an allergic reaction to something?
~~Judy Anthony
Expert Reply
Hi Judy,
I used to show cream Lhasas, and a small amount of tear staining is normal. It's more noticeable because of the light hair color.
Dog face staining can be caused by many things, including:
- Tears
- Dog food, especially canned food
- Allergies
- Licking, especially on the paws
- Yeast infections
- Certain eye diseases/conditions
If you've definitely noticed an increase in the amount of your dog's tearing, I'd suggest having your vet take a look at her. Ten isn't exactly elderly for a Lhasa, but your pet may be developing some eye problems as she ages.
Although you should have your dog examined to find out the exact cause of the tearing, you can follow the same tips given to Cinderella to help lighten the stains.
Thanks~~ Kelly
Comments
Hi JoJo,
Thanks for the suggestion!
-- Contributed by: KellyTry Purifeye - it is an all natural supplement that you add to the food. I was totally amazed with the results - the tear stains stopped after just a few weeks. And the ingredients are all simple herbs which are an added benefit to my dog's diet, lots of nutrients that she doesn't get from her usual food. The makers are Pet Purity. Look in to it before you buy anything else! No need for tylosin based products!
-- Contributed by: JoJohi Kelly
sorry about the delay in getting back to you.
Before discovering Angels Delight I would have been happy to continue using Angels Eyes.
It is generally accepted that the banning of Tylosin as a growth promoter in the EU has been overkill and not evidence based. Tylosin is still allowed in the EU and UK for medicinal use in live stock. Indeed since it was banned as a growth promoter its medicinal use has increased massively as it is no longer part of the animals diet.
The problem with angels eyes and angels glow tear stain removers is that neither company had applied for a marketing authority here (read: expensive rubber stamp). DEFRA state that any such products are medicines because of the mere existence of an antibiotic, regardless of the quantity. It might be the case that any application would have been turned down as DEFRA do not like the idea of the use of antibiotics to treat what they see as a cosmetic problem. By contrast your FDA state that it is not a medicine as it does not change the dogs physiology.
Tylosin is, it would seem, safe for dogs and effective as a tear stain remover, just dont let it anywhere near horses: It can kill then as a result of messing up the bacterial balance in the horses gut.
With regard to angels delight- now i have started to use it i would not go back to the tylosin products as it works as well but also has a bucket loads of other benefits.
I am also happy to use it 365 and no longer need to worry about giving my dogs breaks from it as i had to with AE.
Here are some of the ingredients in Angels delight- Key ingredients-
ascorbic acid, flaxseed oil, kelp, bone meal, lecithin, niacin, copper carbonate, silica aerogel, Vitamin A, Processed grain, Biotin, Carotene, Pantothenic acid, Omega 3,6,9, calcium, phosphorus, Lactobilus acidophulus, FLAX SEED, BLACKSTRAP MOLASSES, RICE BRAN, PRIMARY DRIED YEAST, SUNFLOWER SEED, FREEZE DRIED LIVER, DEHYDRATED ALFALFA, DRIED CARROT, FREEZE DRIED BONE, DRIED FISH MEAL, FREEZE DRIED OYSTER, SPROUTED GREEN BARLEY, DRIED KELP, LECITHIN, GARLIC AND YUCCA SCHIDIGERA EXTRACT.Flax Seed, Corn Fermentation Solubles, Lecithin, Norwegian Kelp, Fish Oil, Biotin, Vitamin E (mixed Tocopherols), Citric Acid, Ascorbic Acid (Vitamin C), Rosemary Extract and Vegetable Oils.
the link to it is
bichonhotel.co.uk/angels_delight
So in summary, I believe Tylosin to be perfectly safe but prefer not to use an antibiotic when there is an alternative that works as well.
Diet changes can also help but I am to disorganised to work out which foods to avoid.
Good luck
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