Tear Stain problem too...
Submitted by Sir Edward on June 6, 2010 - 12:10amEddie too had dark red tear stains show up within two days. We had changed his food a several months before the stains showed up to the Go Natural Salmon and Oatmeal because of other skin issues on the previous food. His eyes seem to be runny and under his nose rope between his pads on his feet he has red stains too. I am thinking it may be seasonal allergies and have tried to bump up his emmune system with a probiotic, kelp and ground flaxseed and salmon oil and a little apple cider vinegar in his water. Next to using desitin in his folds which he hates the smell and wipes all over the furniture. As for all of the above nothing has really worked. I am frustrated too as he starts showing again in September, hope it gets better by then.
Sandra & Eddie
A few suggestions
You may want to try a completely grain-free food. I see that Go Natural has a canine formula. I don't know if you're already doing the filtered water route?
Q is also convinced that desitin is poison. Many dogs tolerate the Aveeno Diaper ointment better. I also tried an organic all-natural ointment that Q was OK with - don't remember the name off hand, but you may want to look at a product like that?
Olivia
I think I will try
the filtered water route for sure and the baby ointment I guess just protects the skin area from irritation. I did go to the Go Natural Turkey grain free before the salmon and unfortunatley he started some episodes of fly snapping which I think is simular to head tremors and his hair started falling out in patches on his back. For some reason feathered food seems to be a problem for him. Some people have suggested raw, and have had their tear stains go away!! Thanks for the info.
Sandra & Eddie
The diaper rash ointment
Actually protects the fold from the moisture of the tears. Tears can allow a red yeast to grow - and that's what stains. Ear infections can also sometimes cause tear stains.
Some of the remedies are aimed at changing the pH of the tears so the yeast can't grow (TUMS, ACV, etc). Topical treatments can also be used, but are temporary (peroxide wipes, using vagisil wipes, MOM/peroxide/corn starch treatment). Q's tear stains cleared up with a grain free diet (I think I was lucky!). Tear stains are beyond annoying - good luck!
Olivia
I feed Audrey raw
she eats raw meat only, no veggies, fruits, nothing cooked, just meat, organs and eggs. She still has tear stains. When she was on kibble the tear stains smelled terrible and she got ear infections so at least the raw got rid of the smell. I did the bottled water also. No change! I am pretty sure Audrey's tear stains are more the physical structure of her face than anything she's eating. It is SO ANNOYING though!
Cathy and Audrey
Thanks for all your advice...
I guess dogs are like people, some have allergies and some don't, some people can eat anything and some people can't. All we can do is keep them healthy and love them lots.
Sandra & Eddie