tearing and eye stains

I have a 1 year old chocolate toy poodle, CHANCE! He is a delight, however I am experiencing problems with tear staining. I have tried several tear and eye cleaning solutions without any success? Do any of you have any suggestions? I would greatly appreciate your help!!!!

[JMM]

First he should see an ophthalmologist. There are a number of eye conditions that may cause excessive tearing and hence the staining.

If one is not found, you may be offered antibiotics. Keeping a dog on long-term antibiotics is not generally a good idea. Bacteria are already becoming resistant to so many antibiotics. The only protocol I feel comfortable with is 7-14 days of tetracycline once, maybe twice a year in an adult dog.

As for maintenance, I really like Collyrium eye flush. I flush the eyes and put some flush on a cotton ball and wipe the face clean. For this cleaning of the face on a daily basis, you can also use Absolutely Natural GroomAid or a waterless shampoo. I like just the Collyrium. Once a week, I wash the face with Absolutely Natural shampoo.

[javabean]

Just wanted to jump in here with my 2 cents on tear stains. I've had bichons for a long long time and those pesky tear stains were a nightmare on the white fur! Ack! It wasn't just the face- one dog licked her feet constantly (allergies) and all that fur was red red red- looked like she walked in Georgia clay! Anyway- it turns out that the red dye coloring in our dog food at the time was the culprit. Once we eliminated ANY red dye in the dogs' diets, the stains were GONE and I mean completely gone. It reacts with the saliva and fluids somehow. But we've never ever had a problem with it since. Luckily, bichons are groomed and the red could be cut off. Don't know if that's why your's has the problem, it's just what we found out and it was a simple enough way to get rid of it.

[bigpoodleperson]

Just a question. Do you think it was the dye in the kibble, or the fact that you switched to a better quality kibble (since high quality kibbles dont have different colors)?

[javabean]

Probably both- but the dye is also found in many dog treats too. Just about anything labeled with "bacon" has red dye I think. You live, you learn. At least it was something I could fix!

Try giving your dog distilled water ...it will take about a month kick in, but it should clear up those tear stains.

I have been giving my poodl who is apricot that and his tear stains are lightening and starting to look normal. So if you have not already tried, then try it..even though it make take a while...but it could work.

Stay away from Kibble that contains beet pulp as well. And you'll be surprised that a lot of them do. Good luck to you! I fight the tear stains, too!

It has been a while since you posted your suggestion about using distilled water. Are you still finding it to be effective? Our little Bichon Frise-Shih Tzu mix puppy (5 months) has had some tear staining for a while, but suddently it has gotten much worse.

[JMM]

teething often causing tear staining to worsen

I've heard that the red colour can be yeast.
And that a good preventative/cure is a teeny bit of bicarbonate of soda in the water.

[belunn]

http://www.angelseyesonline.com/

Our salon recommends this to everyone who asks about tear stains and it works wonders.[/url]

[Dodge'smom]

I think it's an old wives tale but I drink apple cidar vinegar in my water and I put some in our cream poodle's water as well and he had tear stains when we first got him and now their not really there at all. If his face fur is long they are slightly visible but nothing like they were before. I may just be seeing things though.

Word of advice though it smells and tastes YUCKY ! Our puppy didn't like it at first, and I really still don't think he does but we don't put as much as we should in his water but it still works good.

[Sivaro]

Originally Posted by Dodge'smom

I think it's an old wives tale but I drink apple cidar vinegar in my water and I put some in our cream poodle's water as well and he had tear stains when we first got him and now their not really there at all. If his face fur is long they are slightly visible but nothing like they were before. I may just be seeing things though.

Word of advice though it smells and tastes YUCKY ! Our puppy didn't like it at first, and I really still don't think he does but we don't put as much as we should in his water but it still works good.

Yes the apple cyder vinegar is good for tear stains and other allergies.

There is two other possibilities, she could have ingrown eyelashes or blocked tear ducts.