Tearstains.
- Thread starter mi_bella
- Start date
My suggestion is to get to the root of the problem. Why are there tears spilling out of your dogs eyes to begin with?
Entropion and/or hair on the nose/around the eyes growing into or poking the eyes can wick the tears out. This then causes staining. Without the tears there would be no stain.
Distichia are extra hairs on the inner edge of the eyelid ("inside out eyelashes" as I call them lol). They can cause excess tearing.
A blocked tear duct can keep the tears from flowing out through the nose like they
re supposed to, which can make the nose dry and bristly but also means the only way out for the tears is out the corners of the eyes, which again means stains.
There are a bunch of other eye issues that could be underlying conditions, including but not limited to corneal ulcers, allergies, dry eye (ironically), conjunctivitis, and glaucoma.
I would try to find out what is causing the tearing before I worry about getting the tear stains out. The condition itself may or may not need treatment. If you know what the eye issue is and it's not severe, then just deal with the tearing, But it may be possible to make it so there's no excessive tearing, and thus no tear stains, to start with.
As an example, my dog has perfect eyes in the spring, summer and fall. Not a bit of tearing or staining. In the winter, probably from the dry air (and the extra 7 pounds he's put on isn't helping any >.<), he gets a bit of entropion. This means his lids roll in a little bit and the hair wicks the tears out of the eye and into the hair. This makes tear stains. I know that it's seasonal, and I know to keep an eye on it, but it's not something that really warrants treatment at this point. I could try a tear stain remedy if I wanted to, but I figure it'll go away in the spring on its own, so why bother?
Entropion and/or hair on the nose/around the eyes growing into or poking the eyes can wick the tears out. This then causes staining. Without the tears there would be no stain.
Distichia are extra hairs on the inner edge of the eyelid ("inside out eyelashes" as I call them lol). They can cause excess tearing.
A blocked tear duct can keep the tears from flowing out through the nose like they
re supposed to, which can make the nose dry and bristly but also means the only way out for the tears is out the corners of the eyes, which again means stains.
There are a bunch of other eye issues that could be underlying conditions, including but not limited to corneal ulcers, allergies, dry eye (ironically), conjunctivitis, and glaucoma.
I would try to find out what is causing the tearing before I worry about getting the tear stains out. The condition itself may or may not need treatment. If you know what the eye issue is and it's not severe, then just deal with the tearing, But it may be possible to make it so there's no excessive tearing, and thus no tear stains, to start with.
As an example, my dog has perfect eyes in the spring, summer and fall. Not a bit of tearing or staining. In the winter, probably from the dry air (and the extra 7 pounds he's put on isn't helping any >.<), he gets a bit of entropion. This means his lids roll in a little bit and the hair wicks the tears out of the eye and into the hair. This makes tear stains. I know that it's seasonal, and I know to keep an eye on it, but it's not something that really warrants treatment at this point. I could try a tear stain remedy if I wanted to, but I figure it'll go away in the spring on its own, so why bother?
Jose` has over-active tear ducts and he gets those stains and dust and crud tends to stick to them. I'm constantly messing with his eyes to clean them..warm water and picking the dried up stuff off. The vet said that there is a surgery, but it's not worth it...can be complications and it's not always that effective. He acted like this problem wasn't a big deal. And Jose` doesn't seem bothered by it.
I would totally stay away from that stuff if it has a low level of antibiotics in it. WHEN there is an infection in the future, you want to hit it hard...NOT with a low level. A constant trickle of an antibiotic really, really runs the risk of causing the bacteria to become resistant. They get a little sick, but don't die. They reproduce and the next generation is more tolerant and the next generation even more so....and so on, until anti biotics won't work. It really shouldn't be allowed to be sold like that over the counter or suggested to be used that way. That is why the bottles always say something about it being illegal to use in any other way than prescribed. Because it's dangerous!
Anyhow, if your vet doesn't see anything serious, I'd just go with the warm wash cloth or some kind of safe stuff to wipe there that won't sting or injur the eyes. I have some kind of stuff (forget what it's called) but it doesn't really work very well. If you try to stay on top of it, maybe it won't be so stainy.
I would totally stay away from that stuff if it has a low level of antibiotics in it. WHEN there is an infection in the future, you want to hit it hard...NOT with a low level. A constant trickle of an antibiotic really, really runs the risk of causing the bacteria to become resistant. They get a little sick, but don't die. They reproduce and the next generation is more tolerant and the next generation even more so....and so on, until anti biotics won't work. It really shouldn't be allowed to be sold like that over the counter or suggested to be used that way. That is why the bottles always say something about it being illegal to use in any other way than prescribed. Because it's dangerous!
Anyhow, if your vet doesn't see anything serious, I'd just go with the warm wash cloth or some kind of safe stuff to wipe there that won't sting or injur the eyes. I have some kind of stuff (forget what it's called) but it doesn't really work very well. If you try to stay on top of it, maybe it won't be so stainy.
My Aunt's Shih Tzu used to have horrendous tear stains. He was fed Pedigree.
She was spending tons of money on Angel Eyes, and it hardly helped at all. She switched him to Science Diet... with still no signs of improvement. I finally convinced her to feed him Orijen, and he is now tear stain FREE! Feed your dog a premium, grain-free, species appropriate diet. It might be a good idea to start with a less common meat source, like a fish formula, to also eliminate the chance of a meat allergy.
Before:
After:
She was spending tons of money on Angel Eyes, and it hardly helped at all. She switched him to Science Diet... with still no signs of improvement. I finally convinced her to feed him Orijen, and he is now tear stain FREE! Feed your dog a premium, grain-free, species appropriate diet. It might be a good idea to start with a less common meat source, like a fish formula, to also eliminate the chance of a meat allergy.
Before:
After: