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The insider secrets to tearstain removal and prevention
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Tearstains
Many dogs have unsightly rust colored stains under their eyes. For owners who have dark colored dogs they go unnoticed for the most part. For owners of white colored dogs it can become a never ending search to find a magic cure. The tear-stained areas frequently develop a musty odor and in really bad cases lead to sores and skin erosion. As a groomer I am asked at least once a week for an insider secret to eradicating tear stains. Understanding what causes them and how to combat them goes a long way to solving the problem.
Causes
Dog’s eyes like people’s eyes use tears to lubricate the lid, so it slides easily over the eyeball and to facilitate air exchange. Several things cause excess tearing such as irritation of the eye, deformed tear ducts and allergies. Excess tearing alone does not cause staining, because tears are clear.
The excess tears leak out of the eyes and wet the coat on the face. This constantly wet environment causes bacteria to grow, which feed on the nutrient rich tears and essentially defecate a rust colored substance that clings to the hair follicle. All of this happens at a microscopic level.
Some dogs who tear excessively don’t stain, while others look like reverse raccoons. Several things factor into which dogs stain and which don’t such as food, water intake and biochemistry. Cheap food that has cheap fillers and too much grain can cause allergies. Too much protein can be excreted in tears and increase the “food” for the bacteria growing in the wet hair. Some dogs excrete minerals in their tears and drinking water with a high mineral content can increase this. Many other things contribute to tears being more bacteria rich like diabetes and thyroid issues.
Removal
Getting rid of ugly tear stains usually involves physical removal. Clippers or scissors physically take off the stained hair and then an action plan is put in place to stop them from forming again. When there is only a single set of strands coming from the inside corners of each eye that are stained (commonly referred to as the WICK) leaving the rest of the eye area looking nice, it is actually more practical to leave them because once they are gone, the stains will no doubt grow on a new set of strands and spread.
It is possible to chemically remove tear stains. Many show handlers use bleaching agents and acid solutions to keep the fur stain free for short periods when the dog needs to look its best. These agents are extremely dangerous and need expert handling (keeping in mind most show dogs are groomed DAILY and are trained to stay still for the treatments) and they destroy the hair follicles beyond repair. They are not a reasonable option for pets.
Prevention
Because tear stains are a two part problem (over-tearing and bacteria), a two part approach is needed to control them. A vet should be brought in to check the eye to make sure there is no physical reason for increased tear production. Ingrown eyelids may need surgery to correct so the eyelids don’t scratch the cornea. Sometimes just eyelashes grow inward and need to be physically plucked out periodically. The diet of the dog should be considered and an appropriate choice of low allergen food should be tried for at least 8 weeks before a change can be fully appreciated.
Many people swear by reverse osmosis water, and it is probably a good idea to at least filter the water. For extreme tearing that is causing an odor and erosion of the skin an oral antibiotic may be prescribed to stop the bacteria and give temporary relief from staining as well as the smell. Many common over the counter oral tear stain remedies contain non-prescription antibiotics and their derivatives. Antibiotics really aren’t a great long term solution due to the risk of antibiotic resistance.
Simple steps like wiping your dogs eyes with human grade eyewash that contains a mild boric acid solution like Bausch and Laumbe® a few times a day with a damp cloth can go a long way to keeping tear stains at bay. Keeping the hair around the eyes short will give less surface area for bacteria to grow and keep the smell to a minimum. Accepting that as long as the skin is healthy and the smell is minimal some tear-stains may be inevitable will make life easier for both you and your dog.
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