Nature of Tear Stains

Whenever hair rests around the eyes some amount of tear staining results from the hair wicking moisture from the eyes. But there are many other sources of tear stains. Tear staining can be traced to health and diet, as well as genetics. Most veterinarians agree that face staining results from excessive tearing. In this case, the damp face hair is a breeding ground for bacterial and yeast growth. The most common is “Red Yeast” which is usually associated with reddish-brown facial stains, and which may emit a moderate to noticeably strong odor. Tear ducts may become infected and result in excess tearing and noticeable staining. Some doctors advise that the eye structure was the most probable source of the problem. If that is so, then genetics would likely play a role and explain why the problem is more pronounced in some pets of the same breed.

If you are purchasing a puppy and you are concerned about the potential for tearing and staining, you should observe the mother and sire, and others in the direct lineage. Eye duct surgical procedures to increase their tear capacity may help some pets; ask your veterinarian. If bacterial and yeast infections are involved you need to take steps to mollify and eliminate their presence. Veterinarians can prescribe medication to treat bacterial and yeast infections. Your veterinarian or eye specialist veterinarians can determine if excessive tearing is the source of stains, and describe alternatives available.

Tear staining in the dog and especially in the small breeds (Poodles, Maltese, Bichons, Pekes ) is common but should never be called “normal.” The reality is that these breeds have tiny hairs in the inner aspect of the lid margin that acts as wicks for tear accumulation. As well, the tear film is constantly evaporating and in a number of breeds there is overproduction of tears. The tear ducts which carry the tears down into the nasal cavity, in general, are totally functional. It is rare that the tear ducts are non-functional. Treatment is variable – the area in which the tears are stored can be deepened surgically; the hairs around the inner aspect which are causing irritation can be moved out of the way and there are a few other alternatives as well. Oral medication has been suggested as a means of chemically changing the metabolism of the tears and making the staining less apparent. Treating the skin irritation where the tears flow onto the face should also be considered. In all cases the ophthalmologist should see the animal to give the pet owner the best of all the alternatives.

Hair coat stains also occur in areas other than the eyes. White and light color coats, wrinkled faces and short nosed breeds like our beloved bulldog can acquire water stains from pet drinking water, bacteria and red or pimple looking bumps may appear as well, try using a stainless steel bowl for food and water and clean at least 3 times weekly in a dishwasher to sterilize them. Minerals in the water may stain facial hair in the whisker, and mouth areas, as well as other areas on the chest and front legs when water regular drips. Purified waters/bottled water with low mineral content may be the answer.

Ear infection or ear mites can cause the staining as well. Cleaning the ear after every bath is very important. I do not use a drying powder but have heard that they can be useful. If there is any dark discolor or yellowing of the coat around the ear hair this is a good sign of an ear problem.

Some pet foods with certain additives will stain hair in the mouth area, HOWEVER BEET PULP WILL NOT CAUSE TEAR STAINS, that is mis-information to assume it will. Beet pulp used in dog foods and treats are “sugar” beets, they are white, not red and do not contribute to tear stains.

Your first step is to determine the source of tear and face stains. As we have noted, it may be water and food sources and that can be corrected. Tear staining often involves more complex solutions requiring veterinary introspection to determine the source.

If bacterial and yeast infections are involved you need to take steps to reduce and eliminate their presence. Veterinarians can prescribe medication to treat bacterial and yeast infections. Your veterinarian or eye specialist veterinarians can determine if excessive tearing is the source of stains, and describe alternatives available.

Tear Stain Removal

Tear stain removal has become much easier with various products now on the market just for this purpose. There are tear stain home remedies using mixtures of milk of magnesia, corn starch and peroxide, or bleach (usually hydrogen peroxide) used for human hair. However, if you were not to mix these properly, use precisely the right strength of each ingredient, and apply them safely, you could potentially harm your dog. No solution should ever be splashed into the pet’s eye, or allowed to wick through the facial hair into the eye area. Read and follow all instructions very carefully. Keep in mind that you are treating the eye area of your pet and you can harm their sensitive areas. A full amount of caution and concern must be exercised whenever you use any product or mixture near eyes.

Keeping tear stains at minimum is more of a concern for dogs that are shown, and for the dog not being shown, taking steps to safely minimize the condition should be satisfying enough rather than complete elimination. Consult your veterinarian with any questions you may have.

Tetracycline

Consult your vet for this method as it requires a RX anyway. This method should only be used when all others have failed and should only be used for 1-2 courses of treatment and not relied on as a continued treatment. Some have found success in eliminating tear staining by putting a Maltese on a ten day course of low dose tetracycline. Occasionally this may need to be repeated. Do not use this in puppies that have not yet cut their adult teeth. Tetracycline has been shown to cause teeth which have not erupted to permanently stain yellow.

TUMS

If you need to change the pH of your dogs system to aid in preventing yeast or infection then Tums is primarily a source of Calcium, known as an antacid formulated as 500 mg Calcium Carbonate. Giving your Maltese 1/2 of the Fruit flavored variety twice a day will help change the pH of the tears. This will change the tears’ environment and can help make it hostile for the continued growth of yeast and bacteria.

White Vinegar

A teaspoon of white cider vinegar can be added to your dogs drinking water to control new tear stains. It may take a while for your dog to “decide” to drink this water so start with a little less and gradually increase the amount of vinegar.

Vinegar works much like TUMS in that it can changes the pH of the drinking water. Changing the pH of your dog slightly will do wonders in the tear stain war and help eliminate bacteria and deep stain color and prevent yeast build up and is best used as a prevention once you have the tear stains removed or nearly removed. This will help for the future of the tear stains and make them a minimum occurrence.

Milk of Magnesia, corn starch and peroxide

Use equal volume of MOM (plain white) and peroxide, and then use the corn starch to make a good paste of this; put on and work well into the stained area and let dry 4 hours. Wash out, CONDITION WELL. Keep doing this for several days until tear staining is gone, although I would recommend skipping a day or two between applications if possible. Apply a thin coat of desitan diaper rash ointment after the area is washed out and dry. Try this every other day if possible and the choice way of doing it. If your dog has heavy stains then do this for 3 days in a row, then skip every other day.

Corn Starch and Peroxide

Make a paste with corn starch and peroxide, apply with a small toothbrush, leave overnight and remove it with warm water or peroxide in the morning.

Angel Eyes

Is a product that has tylan an antibiotic in it and it works wonders to clear up the tear stains. Be sure you are not going to be taking your dog in for a liver check before placing on the Angel Eyes because it can and will most of the time give back false negatives. It does not cause any harm to the liver. Just causes a false negative. Also please be sure you dog has cut all it’s baby teeth before starting this treatment. The Tylan that is in it is very likely to cause the adult teeth
to stain if they have not erupted.

Optrex Eye Wash

Clean around the eye area with cotton pads moistened with Optrex (contains Boric Acid and Witch Hazel).

Boric Powder, Baby Powder & MOM

Measure equal parts Boric Powder, Baby Powder, mix together with Milk of Magnesia to smooth paste. You can make up a jar full. Apply to affected area with a soft toothbrush, allow to dry then brush off. If badly stained use a few drops of 10% peroxide in paste.

Add one tablespoon Boracic Acid to a cup of boiling water, mix well. Place several cotton swabs into a plastic container. Pour the cooled solution over the swabs and seal the container. Use one swab daily to clean away tear and face staining. Make up a new mix at least once weekly.

Daily Face Wash

One Tablespoon Boric Acid to One Cup Boiling Filtered/Distilled Water
Bring water to a boil, remove from heat and add the Boric Acid stirring until it dissolves. Let cool and place in a squeeze bottle. Make a new batch every week.

Do this every day, squirting on a paper towel to clean the eyes. Keep folding the towel and rewetting with the solution and cleaning until there is no discolouring from the eyes on the towel any longer. Then dry with another paper towel and discard. You could use a washcloth but for hygiene – I prefer paper towels which are disposable and biodegradable.

Boric Acid is most commonly found and recovered in the Tuscan region of Italy, also from Italy’s hot springs and theirvapors. It occurs as the mineral “sassolite” . In the USA, Boric Acid is recovered from brines from the Searles Lake in California. Boric Acid is antiviral and antiseptic and used commonly in the form of an eyewash and controls the browning of tears.

If you clean your dogs eyes every day ( takes a few minutes) you will both be happy and your dog will look lovely. You will prevent many eye conditions if you take a few minutes every day to clean the face. Boric Acid should not be used in a powdered form directly on the eyes – if you get it in the eye you will cause it to ulcer.

You should also make sure your dog does not have a tear duct obstruction (blockage) and have corrected the food and water issue first so he don’t keep getting tear stains. After all if you treat the tear stains to remove them while at the same time you feed a food that causes tear stains you won’t gain nothing. Try the least invasive of the above methods first, give them 2-4 weeks to work, then if your not satisfied go to another method of treatment. Do not use multiple treatments at the same time. Always have your vet give the dog a complete exam to rule out any serious eye condition first before trying anything else. The commercial products just don’t work very well so it is best to just forget about them unless you have a very mild case of stain.

When you get your new puppy home, he/she should be at least 12 weeks old. Your puppy may be even older – depending of the size and the general health of the puppy. Once in your home, you will need to give them access to food at all time. A new puppy should always have dry food available to them (I feed  Bil Jac puppy and Royal Canin , or Iams Holistic puppy formula). I prefer the Bil Jac puppy at first because it is very easy to make a nice ‘wet mixture” with quickly. The Bil Jac pellets will crumble in your hand easily and the puppies love them. I will also feed them a wet mixture at least once a day.  If the puppy is very tiny, I will feed two wet mixtures a day. I have also found the Little Caeser Puppy can food has become a favorite of my puppies and my adults who are either nursing or pregnant. This is very easy to find, you can locate Little Caesar’s at your local grocery store or Walmart. Little Ceasar’s can also be mixed in with your puppy’s dry food to get them to eat. Mix ½ can to ¼ cup of dry kibble. The puppy will scarf this right up.

If you can not find any of these kibble, just make sure that the kibble you get will provide a fully nutritious and well balanced diet for your new puppy. The kibble size should be small  enough for the puppy to eat. Also make sure that the brand you plan on feeding has not been included in the widespread pet food recall. The most current list of foods that have been recalled can be found here.Typically, the affected food typically is no longer available on the pet store shelves, but it never hurts to double check.

Just remember that leaving dry food down at all times will help keep your dog from overeating. If you change your puppy’s brand of food, you will need to do so slowly. Continue to use the same kibble and gradually make the change by mixing the new kibble with the old kibble. This will prevent any digestive issues that may arise (loose stool). Do not give your puppy large chunks of food as this can cause choking. No table scraps, this could make your puppy a picky eater. Do not give them milk, this can cause diarrhea. Do not feed raw egg whites, grapes or chocolate.

HYPOGLYCEMIA

Small breed puppies are very active and they need to be monitored closely to insure that they are getting enough to drink and eat and plenty of rest.

Young toy breed puppies can develop a low blood sugar condition due to overexcitement, overexertion, and/or injury and can very, very quickly become unconscious and even die without immediate treatment. If your young puppy misses a meal, offer a tasty meal
quickly. If the puppy does not eat because he/she is stressed by too much excitement, handling, or new experiences, it may result in a hypoglycemic (low blood sugar) attack. Prevention and treatment is the key.

TREATMENT: IMMEDIATELY give the puppy a small amount of honey, jam, or corn syrup and place this on the roof the of the puppy’s mouth. A high calorie supplement such as nutra-Cal or Nutra Stat can also be given in as a preventative or in the early stages of hypoglycemia. In addition, you can give some Pedialite into the side of the puppy’s mouth by syringe very slowly. Once they seem to be recovering in response to the treatment of honey or syrup, you can then give them a mixture of soft food 2tbs Gerber Baby Rice Cereal, 2tsp Gerber Strained Chicken Meat, 1 tsp of corn syrup, add water to make it pudding consistency. Fill a large syringe or medicine dropper with the mixture and give it to the puppy by squeezing the mixture either on the tongue or between the cheek and gum. Give the puppy a chance to swallow and then give them more. Give approximately 12 cc and repeat every 4 hours. This will need to be done until they feel better and start to eat on their own.

If the puppy has reached advanced stages of Hypoglycemia and has gone into the staggering state, it is ABSOLUTELY necessary to take the puppy to the veterinarian, even after it has been given sugar and has recovered. The reason for this is that once a puppy has had a serious drop in blood sugar, it can occur again with even less stress and the veterinarian can help prevent this. Be very vigilant while the puppy is still young (up to 6 months of age, depending upon their size)!!!!

EARLY SIGNS OF HYPOGLYCEMIA

The early signs of hypoglycemia: Lethargy, sleepiness, and/or a dazed look. Then, as it progresses, a staggering or “drunken” gait, drooling, collapse and convulsions. If it is not treated, it continues into coma and ultimately death.

· You must regulate the amount of activity your puppy gets. Young, small breed puppies tire very easily and quickly, especially if they are allowed to romp freely about the house or are handled excessively. They need their rest just like an infant.

· A healthy puppy’s temperature is normally 100-102 degrees. Should a puppy exhibit signs of illness such as vomiting, diarrhea, runny eyes or nose, excessive panting or whining, dizziness, lethargy, etc. take them to the veterinarian. DO NOT WAIT!!!! It does not take long for a puppy to become dehydrated.

· Check daily for stuck stools as this can cause blockage making the puppy unable to eliminate. Keep the hair trimmed around the rectum to help this situation. This can cause serious problems and be very painful for the puppy.

· Take them to the veterinarian until they have received the complete series of puppy shots. Do not let the veterinarian give more than one shot per visit. These toy dogs are given the same amount of serum as the large breeds and too much at once can cause problems. It is important for their health that they have the proper protection. DO NOT put your puppy on the ground in public areas until they have received their full series of puppy shots

The four (4) most important factors in raising your puppy are:

· IT MUST EAT

· IT MUST REST

· IT MUST BE KEPT WARM & DRY

People have been enjoying the company of Maltese dogs for thousands of years, the origin of this lively toy breed being dated between 6,000 BC and 8,000 BC and credited to the Central Mediterranean area. The Maltese is thought to be bred from Spitz-type dogs and was selectively bred for a smaller size and long, soft fur. Official kennel clubs began recognizing this breed in 1898 and gave it its name in honor of the Island of Malta where many believed the breed originated. Recent years have brought on the creation of the Teacup Maltese, bred to be smaller than the original Maltese.

 

Appearance and Grooming

The Teacup Maltese comes in one solid color which should be a stark, clean white. Their fur is ideally free of markings, and their fur should be long and silky. While the Maltese should weigh in between 4 and 6 pounds, the Teacup Maltese is bred to be smaller, weighing between 2 and 4 pounds. These teacup dogs stand between 8 and 10 inches tall when measured at the shoulders. The breed earns its name because the puppies can easily fit inside a teacup, and some even remain small enough to fit as adults.

A moderately high amount of grooming is required to maintain the smooth and silky appearance of this teacup breed. If cared for daily, the fur is easier to maintain and stays healthy and clean. A fine-toothed comb is helpful when grooming teacup dogs as they typically have finer and more delicate fur. The fur must be thoroughly brushed before bathing or it will become knotted very quickly and may require shaving if allowed to tangle.

 

Health and Longevity

The Teacup Maltese is at a higher risk of developing a variety of medical ailments that larger dogs may not be as susceptible to. Toy breeds, in general, are at risk of developing knee and spine problems, and teacup breeds are known for having more fragile bones and a delicate structure. Other common medical problems that owners of this breed may see are dental disease, hypoglycemia, seizures and heart problems.

The Teacup Maltese has a shorter lifespan than the original Maltese, and some from breeders whose lines have poorer health may only live a few years. Seeking a puppy from a breeder who focuses on health and whose lines have long lifespans is the first step to selecting a teacup dog. Puppies born from healthy lines are less likely to die young and are not as prone to known health issues as puppies from unknown lineage.

Regular examinations by a veterinarian are important in maintaining the health of teacup dogs. As educated professionals, veterinarians and their staff will often be able to notice the signs of health problems before owners and work to treat them before resulting in more permanent damage. All dogs should be seen by a veterinarian once per year, but many professionals recommend having teacup dogs seen at least twice annually due to the high risk of medical issues.

Other ways to ensure prolonged health for a teacup dog include feeding them a healthy diet and providing them with the appropriate level of exercise for their age and size. Exercising a Maltese is not only necessary for maintaining good physical health but also to stimulate the mind. This will make training easier as they can focus better when not trying to contain copious amounts of energy.

 

Behavior and Training

As a highly energetic breed, these dogs can require some effort to train but will be eager to please and easy to work with. Both treats and praise are appropriate rewards for training a Maltese puppy of any size, but it is important to always ensure that the treats being used are small enough for the puppy to eat quickly but not to choke on. Soft treats are ideal for training teacup puppies because of their small teeth.

Many toy breeds are known for jumping and barking excessively, so it is important to train a Maltese away from these behaviors early. Due to their small size, owners often do not allow them to truly act like dogs. It is possible to be cautious while also allowing teacup dogs to explore their environment and interact with other dogs so that they can be properly socialized.

 

A Small but Sweet Pup

The Maltese is a fun companion breed, and teacup puppies from quality breeders can make fantastic pets for owners seeking a small and friendly dog. Though they can be at risk of developing a number of health problems, many breeders focus on improving the overall health of the breed. As the classic teacup breed, the Maltese is perfect.

 

The Maltese breed of dogs is a breed of gentle, playful and smart dogs. The miniature Maltese is that, plus more, and fun-sized! These bite-size poochies are almost identical to their larger predecessors, however, their personalities are sometimes even larger! Even a skilled trainer or experienced owner of full-sized Maltese dogs can stand to learn something new about the miniature Maltese. No matter their similarities, the mini Maltese is still a completely different animal than the average Maltese. The following tips, advice, and guidelines include everything you need to know about the miniature Maltese.

 

Traits of the Breed

Miniature Maltese dogs hold a few common characteristics, all the way from birth to adulthood. For instance, high levels of adaptability to new surroundings, trainability, and ease of grooming are all common traits in this breed of dogs. The miniature Maltese adapts very well and quickly to both apartment living, as well as to living in a home with a lot of open space to run and play. This and the dog’s quick-witted knack for learning new tricks and behaviors makes it a perfect breed for new and younger dog owners, not to mention its adorable and manageable, tiny size! Typically, mini Maltese dogs are also extremely friendly and outgoing dogs. However, they can come across as a bit sensitive, especially as young puppies. The breed is known to exhibit some separation anxiety and negative emotions towards being alone. These problems, with the Maltese trainability, can be easily worked through. This breed tends to shed fairly little and drool even less, making grooming a mini Maltese an absolute breeze. Their health is generally average, provided the specific dog is well-taken care of, and the breed isn’t known for significant weight gain or loss. A word of caution, however: this breed is very playful and energetic. While in their younger years, mini Maltese puppies need to exhaust a ton of energy through regular exercise and daily activities. This is nothing to worry about because most dog owners are more than pleased to take their dog out for a run or day at the park. Looking after and taking care of a mini Maltese is fun and easy for everyone in this happy, little dog’s family!

 

Interesting Facts

Did you know that the Maltese were bred for hunting small rodents? The history of the mini Maltese is somewhat hazy, although some believe the little dog can all the way from Asia! Moreover, many of the mentions of the Maltese in historical texts were actually misconceptions for Pomeranians. Scholars and experts have decided the most likely story stems from the breed of dog’s namesake, itself. The King of Malta, in 1804, wrote about a new breed of dog which sported the familiar long and silky hair of the Maltese. The breed was in high demand by the Romans, who eventually snatched up the breed as their own, according to some historians. They weren’t just pets of the ancient Romans, however. Maltese dogs have been mentioned in the histories of ancient Greece and Egypt, as well. Needless to say, the breed has been around for a long time! Indeed, they became lapdogs for ancient royalty. They were even commonly referred to as “comforter dogs,” “Roman ladies’ dogs,” and “Spaniel gentles.” Queens of long-forgotten dynasties once feed their Maltese pups out of dishes made of solid gold. After dying, the dogs’ remains would rest in tombs made specifically for them by their owners, along with ceramics, plates and other trinkets designed and decorated with the Maltese breed’s regal likeness, nonetheless. In fact, the famous governor of ancient Rome, Publius shared his home with a tiny Maltese named Issa, which helped further solidify the Maltese breed’s significance in history. The dog was immortalized in both a painting and a poem written by the poet, Martial.

 

The Maltese is one of the oldest dog breeds known to mankind and has been a companion animal for the entirety of its heritage. While these small dogs are well-known for being associated with aristocracy and living lavish lives, Maltese temperaments are actually quite spirited and playful. Even throughout their old age, Maltese remain active and energetic.

Maltese dogs are extraordinarily fond of their owners. The bond runs so deep for some of these pups, that they will experience severe separation anxiety when left alone. Although some Maltese may be short-tempered with small children, this trait can usually be avoided by exposing these dogs to children while they are still puppies. Regardless, play between Maltese and small children should always be supervised in order to keep both children and pups safe and happy.

Along with their playful attitude, Maltese are surprisingly active little dogs. Because these dogs adore humans so much, they greatly enjoy accompanying their owners on daily walks. Additionally, Maltese will be very active in most enclosed spaces, making them big fans of both small apartments and enclosed yards. While these dogs prefer enclosed spaces, they are also naturally curious and will not hesitate to explore small holes that they can fit through.

Maltese certainly love their status of the cute lapdog but are also strong-willed and determined. Most Maltese will actively “protect” their owners if they sense threats. One may not expect such a delicate bred to have such courage, but Maltese make very observant and feisty watchdogs.

Generally speaking, Maltese are outgoing and friendly dogs. This breed is well-known for making and loving new friends quickly. While some lines of Maltese are more outgoing than others, you can expect that most Maltese will get along well with other humans and other animals. It’s worth noting that temperament does not transfer through breed lines as predictably as physical traits. That means, regardless of which line your Maltese came from, this type of dog will need to spend time with other dogs and people if you want to nurture their friendly and outgoing side.

For many people, Maltese temperaments are quite desirable. However, there are a few situations where the Maltese temperament may not be a good fit for your lifestyle. Because Maltese have such a fondness for humans, and in particular their owners, most Maltese will not do well if frequently left alone. These little dogs are kind and loving and very attached to their companions. If left alone too often, many Maltese will develop severe separation anxiety which can lead to unwanted behaviors such as excessive barking.

As with any breed of dog, training can dramatically affect Maltese temperament. While you may be tempted to spoil these little dogs it is important to remember that these dogs are quite intelligent and capable. While it may be tempting to see these dogs as puppies for their entire lifespan, it’s important to remember that your dog will only behave himself if you teach him what rules to follow.

While Maltese respond quite well to rewards based training, it is important to note that housebreaking is notoriously difficult for this breed. On the other hand Maltese are one of the few dog breeds that are well suited to indoor litter box training. In general, these fragile dogs do not enjoy the cold or wet weather and will wait until the last minute to go relieve their bladders. To encourage house-breaking, providing these pups with a covered area to do their business it is extremely helpful. Additionally, adding a doggy door for your Maltese to use can help prevent accidents if they wait until the last minute to go.

Remember that Maltese are typically a long-lived breed and that they will be energetic throughout the course of their lives. While some behaviors that are undesirable may be able to be corrected at a young age, some may last for the course of their entire life. If you intend to let a Maltese steal your heart, be sure that you are prepared for the downsides along with the upsides. Remember that these dogs are lively, playful, and intelligent and be patient with them while you work together to learn each others’ eccentricities.