Ever since I have had Isla my sheltie at 10 weeks she has had quite pronounced tear stains.  I spoke to thte vet who said she may grow out of it. She does have a very small and dainty head I have to say.  Now she is 10 months old and still has the same problem - I would say it is worse.  A month or two ago I took her to the vet about something else and mentioned the tear problem.  He said that he didn't feel he could recommend the small operation of flushing out the tear ducts as he felt the problem was so slight that he could not justify the anaesthetic risk and also may not solve the proboem anyway.  Since then though iIthe problem has worsened again and people comment on it.  She is quite a pretty dog but these stains are quite detrimental to her looks I feel.  In cold weather  it becomes worse.

I feel the vet thinks I am making a fuss but I do a bit of showing with her which we both enjoy but feel that this problem is spoiling her lovely little face.  That however is not really important - I would just like to get this sorted for the sake of the health of her eyes.  Not sure what to do - it is a problem which tends to come and go but don't want the vet to think I am making a fuss unnecessarily.

Anyone else had experience of this?

Thanks

Snowflake

I had a problem with tear stains with my golden retriever, but since changing her food the problem seems to have disappeared. It might be a co-incidence, but she also had a pink tinge to her coat and that has also totally cleared since the diet change.

You could check these out:

http://ezinearticles.com/?Dog-Tear-Stains-Not-Just-Cosmetic&id=
http://www.bhejei.com/tearsta.htm

I have known of a dog my family had in the past and they took the dog of dry food it was fed on and changed to a raw diet it cleared up within 2 weeks!

I have recently added Dog Rocks to our dogs' drinking water (to prevent the staining of the lawn with three females). Do  you think this could have worsened the problem of Isla's tear stains?  Also having read through the articles recommended I still seem to come back to Angel Eyes.  My vet told me that it was merely an antibiotic - but according to all the blurb it does appear to work.

Has anyone tried it please?

Thanks

Snowflake

I have a toy poodle who had problems with tear stains but all of a sudden it cleared up but he was about 2 and a quarter years old whereas my other toy poodle suffered badly as a puppy but was better by 10 months old so it does vary from dog to dog. The lady that clips them suggested massaging the eye corner gently with your finger which I did so maybe this helped clear his tear ducts, but they are certainly ok now. Hope this helps. I do meet a lady with 2 bichons who uses angel eyes and says it works extremely well on them but it has antibiotic in it which I am not convinced is a good thing long term and is also very expensive as I think it has to been bought from America as I don't think it has a license over here although I may be wrong.

I use Angel's eyes and yes, it does work, takes a couple of weeks to kick in but then it works a treat. You can't buy it here though you have to get it from the US.

Angel Eyes does not hold a UK marketing authority due to it containing a small dose of antibiotic. Ordering it form the USA runs the risk of customs confiscating it as it should not be imported.

> My vet told me that it was merely an antibiotic

You might find this interesting particularly the comments regarding the use of antibiotics in this way.

Looks like i'm on my last pot then!

There seems to be another product similar although not an antibiotic  called Angels Delight.  This is the link:
http://bichonhotel.co.uk/shop/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=13&products_id=16.

Seems to be successful for Bichon Frisees.

Snowflake

Have you thought about contacting these people. I know it appears to not to be allowed over here in our pet market, but maybe worth contacting them.

http://www.manoirbichons.co.uk/angels_eyes.php

> I know it appears to not to be allowed over here in our pet market, but maybe worth contacting them.
>

This is the product that is mentioned further up the thread.

> This is the product that is mentioned further up the thread

The only reason i mentioned this link as it looks like you can get it direct from this breeder over here.

Have you tried Apple Cider Vinegar?

Might be worth a try http://www.preciouspets.org/newsletters/articles/apple-cider-vinegar.htm

> The only reason i mentioned this link as it looks like you can get it direct from this breeder over here.

Getting hold of it is not the problem.  It is not licenced and with good reason.  I am not sure it is even legal to sell a product that would be prescription only if it was licenced.  I certainly don't think it is ethical.  Who would want to use a product that may contribute to the developement of antibiotic resistant organisms?

From what i've read is that they've(OP) used it before and wanted some more,  i was only trying to be helpful to the OP.

Whether i agree its morals or not is not the question here, and to be honest i don't know enough about the product and prob won't ever either due to it being for tear stains on light coloured dogs to ever comment on its contents.

> Have you tried Apple Cider Vinegar?
>

The trouble with something like vinegar is it is extremely acidic so you run the risk of upset the Ph balance of the urine and possibly creating stones within the bladder.  Extremely painful and not worth it for something cosmetic.  Best to stick to external, and safe, solutions.

> i was only trying to be helpful to the OP.
>

Yes I realise :-)  but if you read the link you will see the implications.  The poster has already said they will not be getting another pot.

I have just received a pot of Angel's Delight (see link further up page).  It is a holistic food supplement which may help with several things including tear stains, made in the UK.  Supposed to improve the well being of any breed.  Expensive though.  It takes about 5/6 weeks to notice any inprovement so I will keep you posted.

Snowflake

Oh yes, please keep us posted.......I have thought about getting this once I have used up my remaining Angels's eyes.

We had a sheltie that had the operation to do his tear ducts. The vet said it was only slight but he did the operation anyway , he knew we showed him and understood well. After the operation he was fine.

> he knew we showed him and understood well.

Would you not have to clear that one with the KC?

whys that then ??

It would be considered an operation to change the dogs natural conformation and as such would not be allowed to be shown.

The trouble with this Angels' Delight  product is that it is hugely expensive.  A small pot was £28 and after a week I am half way through it!  I don't think I will be able to afford to keep it up!

Snowflake

Crikey, that is expensive! how much do they have to have each day?

For sheltie size one teaspoonful a day but doubled up for the first 2 weeks - but the pot will be finished before then.  Think it may be a bit of a con!!!

Snowflake