However, the underlying or causative problem can be significant. Seasonal allergies like hay fever, allergic responses to new food or even a reaction to cleaning fluids used to wash out food and water bowls can all lead to tear staining. Many probiotic supplements claim to decrease tear staining as well. Disaster Preparation and Your Pet: Would You be Ready? With ingredients that dissolve even stubborn stains and others that can actually prevent their re-establishment. Some treatment options for dealing with tear staining in dogs include: Dogs with tear staining should be evaluated to rule out an underlying ophthalmic problem that requires specific treatment. One of the best-known porphyrins is heme, the pigment in red blood cells. Referral to an ophthalmologist is appropriate to rule out underlying ocular disease and to discuss the possible surgical options. If the tear staining is one sided, your veterinarian will probably check for an ear infection in the ear on the same side, as this can often cause excessive tear production. The actual cause of stains is the porphyrin in the tears and saliva. As in humans, its more likely in older dogs. Figure 1. Why do stains occur in dogs?Some dogs produce excessive tears primarily because when humans turned wolves into today's best friend selective breeding created short noses and protruding eyes that contribute to abnormally narrow and often crooked tear ducts. They include: Figure 2. What You Should Know About Flea Product Toxicity in Dogs and Cats, What You Should Know About Lily Toxicity in Cats. The first thing to say is that tear stains dont mean your dog has been crying! Saliva and tears contain substances called porphyrins, which stain light fur pink, red or brown. Porphyrins are excreted primarily through bile and the intestinal tract, but in dogs a significant amount of porphyrin is excreted through tears, saliva and also urine. 2021 IDEXX Laboratories, Inc. All rights reserved. The next step is to keep the face clean and dry. However, in most dogs neither procedure is warranted. Back-to-School Pet Safety: Keep Your Pet Out of the ER, Pet Water Safety:StayingSafe at the Pool, Beach, or Lake, Keep Your Pet Out of the ERWith TheseSpring Pet Safety Tips, 15Surprising Pet Poisons Keep Your Pet Safe, How to Protect Your Dog or Cat from Coyote Attacks. If you research tear staining, you will find numerous different products, ideas, and suggestions that claim to fix or prevent the staining. It can be the result of an allergy or injury and in summer its often a result of a scratched eyeball from pollen or a grass seed. Vets often prescribe eyedrops for these dogs. Although in the past antibiotics have been used with mixed results to control staining, the use of antibiotics for a cosmetic problem cannot be recommended. If your dog is experiencing porphyrin staining be sure to have your veterinarian perform a complete physical examination to rule in or out these problems. A common misconception about tear staining (Figure 1) is that it is due to excessive tear production. What is causing the stains in dogs? Some breeds that require clipping need extra care as the hair regrowth around the eye can aim inwards rather than outwards if clipped too close: Cairn and West Highland White terriers with their coarse guard hair outer coats are particularly prone to this problem. https://www.facebook.com/markandchappellpetcare/?fref=ts. Look for these signs. Although somewhat unsightly, the staining caused by porphyrines is just that -- cosmetically unsightly. Sign up for our newsletter, Vanessa J. Kuonen Cavens, DVM, MS, Diplomate, ACVO, The Range of Veterinary Care Options Includes Urgent Care, How to Tell If Your Pet Is in Pain and What You Can Do to Help. Contact lens solution can be used to clean. Can porphyrin staining be managed in dogs? Pollakiuria: Why is My Dog Urinating more Often? If you have any questions or concerns, you should always visit or call your veterinarian -- they are your best resource to ensure the health and well-being of your pets. If the tear staining is secondary to conformation, the treatment plan should be an educational discussion focusing on proper cleaning and grooming. Medial canthal trouging and haired caruncle in a dog.A medial canthoplasty is a surgical option to reduce tear staining in some dogs with these types of eyelid conformations. This is an inflammation of the eye lining which causes discharge. Are you a veterinary professional? The stains cause no discomfort. However, many dogs have a normal variation in their eyelid conformation that causes tears to drain onto their face rather than draining down the nasolacrimal puncta and into the nasolacrimal system. My dogs eyes are stained with blood colored tears. How is staining treated in dogs? Have you ever noticed how many dogs have reddish brown staining of their fur? And dogs that lick and scratch their faces, feet, armpits and genitals frequently are affected by allergies that can cause distress. Magnusson, Greg. Its very common for white or light-coated dogs to show this staining, and its also regularly seen in small and toy breeds. Some medical conditions that result in excess tearing and licking are associated with the excess staining but are not the cause of the stain. It is virtually impossible to remove once it develops. "A Veterinary Guide to Tear Stains.". Porphyrins are iron containing molecules produced when the body breaks down iron. These are often seen in brachycephalic (flat-faced) dogs such as French bulldogs, boxers, Lhasa Apsos, Pekingese and pugs. Believe it or not, highly mineralised water can cause tear staining, so dont give your dog mineral water to drink, but if you live in a high mineral water area, try using bottled water from elsewhere to see if this solves the problem. Most dogs with tear staining have normal tear production and do not have an underlying ocular problem. Keeping long hair from rubbing in the eyes may also help keep the areas clean and dry. Can porphyrin staining be managed in dogs? Mike has more than 35 years of experience in companion animal veterinary practice and is a valued member of IDEXXs Pet Health Network team since 2013. Eye infections can also be caused by bacteria, viruses, parasites or irritants such as smoke (or vape), shampoo or even air conditioning. Breeds such as the Chow Chow, Shar-Pei, Jack Russell Terrier, Shih-Tzu, and Husky are particularly prone to glaucoma. Obviously part of the answer is preventing the porphyrin containing fluids from remaining in contact with the hair. Because tylosin is an antibiotic, there is controversy using it for cosmesis due to possible drug resistance. Some dogs can experience tearing in relation to food additives such as food colourings used in commercial dog treats, which can be very brightly coloured with food dyes. These red or brownish appearing beneath a dogs eyes are usually caused by epiphora excessive tear production or by poorly draining tear ducts. This discoloration is caused by a chemical called porphyrin. Tear staining in a middle-aged dog. Don't worry, we don't spam, and you can unsubscribe at any time! Allergies, teething, corneal ulcer or other ocular disease may be the culprit. In addition to allergies and irritants that may cause excess licking, anatomical problems such as ingrown eyelashes, entropion, abnormally small tear duct openings and irritants such as cigarette smoke may be causes1. There are three common variations in eyelid conformation that cause tearing onto the face rather than down the nasolacrimal system. This effective treatment can be a welcome addition to your pets healthcare routine. By entering one of our giveaway competitions, you are signing up to our monthly newsletter. Typically the bulging, round eyes that make these breeds so charming can also lead to difficulties in closing the eyelid fully, which can result in irritation and damage to the eye surface. When porphyrins remain in contact with hair, particularly in white coats, for any time, the chemical stain develops. Once youve established the cause, and made the necessary changes or obtained any treatment that your vet suggests, the Vet IQ Tear Stain Remover is a gentle, non-toxic and easy-to-use product that helps reduce the effects of tear staining on your pets fur. Porphyrins are a group of organic compounds of which many occur in nature. Any ocular irritation in a dog with any of these variations in eyelid conformation will cause more than the typical tear staining. Excess salivation may be caused by oral discomfort such as gum disease or dental problems. Our clients often seek advice on how to treat the messy, frustrating problem of tear staining. Cryotherapy can be used to treat a haired lacrimal caruncle. There is also controversy regarding tylosins addition to over the counter medications that do not always list it as an ingredient or identify how much tylosin is in the product. Step one in treating tear staining is keeping the hair around the eyes and nose as short as possible. Fortunately, porphyrin staining is in itself a cosmetic problem and causes the dog no harm. The fact that there are so many products available means that there is not ONE magic treatment or approach that will work for every dog. Tylosins effect is unpredictable and often has intermittent efficacy. A warm washcloth and baby shampoo are safe to use to clean around the eyes. If you have ever noticed a white dog that has been licking or chewing on his leg, the hair in that area will turn iron-brown in color. Eyelid abnormalities may cause significant discomfort. Tylosin-containing products claim to treat or prevent tear staining. In puppies the emergence of adult teeth can cause tearing. For more information, see our privacy policy. Regular cleaning can provide minimal help. What is causing the staining? Need help keeping track of your pets medication? Its always a good idea to get tear staining checked by a vet, before deciding how to treat it. There are many reasons for epiphora, some of which are temporary while others are congenital (related to the dogs breed): one of the most common reasons for tear stains that appear on mature dogs which havent previously had a problem. Amongst the congenital reasons for tear staining, glaucoma creates a build-up of fluids inside the eye and damages the optic nerve. Stay connected and sign up for our newsletter. It occurs most commonly where tears moisten the fur around the dogs eyes or around their mouth where saliva wets their fur as well as where they lick their feet and forelegs. Porphyrins are excreted through the gastrointestinal tract, urine, saliva, and TEARS! Is porphyrin staining serious in dogs? There are many types of eyelid and eyelash cleaning pads that can also be used to clean the face and around the eyes. Is Your Pet in Pain? Copyright 2017 Mark & Chappell Limited. All dogs have some porphyrin in their tears, but some dogs have more porphyrin and the staining is always more noticeable in white or light-colored dogs. Once again, this is often an inherited problem seen in Cocker Spaniels, Dachshunds, Pekingese and Poodles amongst others. The red/brown discoloration in tears comes from porphyrin. 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