Tear Stains

[NicoleLJ]

For those of you with white dogs I am wondering what you use for tear stains. Once in a while Sheena gets tear stains. The first time she did I immediately took her to the vet to have her eyes checked to make sure nothing was wrong. Nothing was. So I got this stuff called Vitacoat Diamond Eye. I don't really find that it does much to clear it up or change it. Usually for Sheena it clears up after her next bath. Doesanyone have a solution for this? I notice when it gets really windy then she is more likely to have this happen.
Nicole & Sheena PSD, Luca PSDIT

[Moo]

Lucky me, Kirbies are not prone to allergies.

I would definitely prefer to find the cause, instead of just covering it up with a tear stain remover. Tear stains happen for a reason, and it drives me crazy seeing dogs with terrible tear stains, and their handlers running around with their heads chopped off wondering why.

Could be something like you using a certain clothes washing detergent, or being exposed to a smoke.

....Debbie uses Diamond eye.

[Deb's Tiny Dogs]

Originally Posted by Moo

Lucky me, Kirbies are not prone to allergies.

I would definitely prefer to find the cause, instead of just covering it up with a tear stain remover. Tear stains happen for a reason, and it drives me crazy seeing dogs with terrible tear stains, and their handlers running around with their heads chopped off wondering why.

Could be something like you using a certain clothes washing detergent, or being exposed to a smoke.

....Debbie uses Diamond eye.

I now use Eye Envy which is totally awesome!! I only have to use it 1-2 times a week. Diamond Eye- every day and it made the fur under her eyes really hard. Cali's eyes are totally white now all the time.

[AlaskaYorkie]

I've never tried this, but someone on a Yorkie forum says she uses something called Murray's 100% pure Australian Bees Wax to keep hair out of her dog's eyes. She says it is easy to comb through and will keep the hair out of their eyes. She gets it at Walmart in the Hair care department.

Again, I'm not endorsing this, just passing on something I'd heard.

[Bellabianca]

I use Eye Envy on Bianca and find that keeping the area around her eyes as dry as possible helps too. Bianca does not have much trouble with tear stains. Also, according to several Maltese breeders, food or treats with artificial coloring and water with a high mineral content can also cause tear stains to worsen. Bianca's food doesn't have any color in it and she drinks filtered tap water.

[NicoleLJ]

Moo- My vet doesn't think it is allergy related. Since usually it only happens when the winds get really bad.

debbie- Thanks. I will check into that stuff.

AlaskaYorkie- She doesn't get hair in her eyes. She is a GSD and she has a short coat. None of the hair turns in either as I have heard happens to some.

Bellabianca- Thanks for the tips.

Nicole & Sheena PSD, Luca PSDIT

[Camberaoh]

I vet taught me the trick of using peroxide to get the stain off but you have to be really careful not to get it in the eye. I soak a Q-tip in it and use that.

[barnjess]

Originally Posted by Moo

I would definitely prefer to find the cause, instead of just covering it up with a tear stain remover. Tear stains happen for a reason, and it drives me crazy seeing dogs with terrible tear stains, and their handlers running around with their heads chopped off wondering why.

Could be something like you using a certain clothes washing detergent, or being exposed to a smoke.

....Debbie uses Diamond eye.

I agree finding the cause is the best option, but a lot of dogs do have them for no reason no allergy's but they still have them, especially in certain breeds where they seem more common

[Deb's Tiny Dogs]

Originally Posted by barnjess

I agree finding the cause is the best option, but a lot of dogs do have them for no reason no allergy's but they still have them, especially in certain breeds where they seem more common

Certain dogs have shallow tear ducts and they simply spill over onto the under eye area. And, because it's definately more prevalent in certain breeds, there's a genetic component to it.

[Happy Tails]

Originally Posted by NicoleLJ

I notice when it gets really windy then she is more likely to have this happen.

It seems that anything that irritates the eyes causes this. I keep our dogs away from any strong chemicals or chemical smells. As far as getting rid of it, so far normal shampooing has worked. Get the area wet in advance, be careful to avoid the eyes with the shampoo, and gently rub without tugging.