stella's big tear stain

[StellaBabe]

Hi everyone,

My little pup Stella is 10 mos old and has the most beautiful white coat with big black spots. She doesn't have any allergies, produces a regular amount of wetness in her eyes...and never has stained her coat due to tears.

I just returned from a pup-lonely 2 week business trip (which broke my heart) and upon my return Stella had a rather large, brown tear stain on her face (of course within and around a major face wrinkle). I figured that it was from anxiety? and have cleaned the stain carefully with proper tear stain solutions. Thankfully it's not infected, but it hasn't lightened at all.

I know that these things are common, and of course I would love her regardless...it doesn't bother me much, but I just wanted to see if someone has found a great product to use or if infection is possible?

Thanks!

[miss heather]

was Stella eating her regular food while you were gone?

I know that with my Stella, when she was eating kibble she had tear stains, but they went away when we switched to raw...

just a thought.

[StellaBabe]

...both my pups are on dry Royal Canine...always have been and it hasn't changed. My friend Jon who watched them...said he kept the routine and gave them lots of love. I just felt bad to return to her sad little wrinkly face!! and the stain is so large.

[gmacleod]

Weeelll - you know, it can still be largely down to the food. Royal Canin isn't that great a food, and most of it's formulas contain nasty ingredients like corn, wheat and beet pulp. Beet pulp in particular is frequently a cause of the sort of staining you've got there (in addition to being a stressful ingredient in respect of the dog's liver and kidney function).

The effects of those sorts of things rarely show up instantly. It takes time, and the stress of being separated from you may have been enough to tip the balance. Allergies are another thing that take time to develop. It is actually quite rare that you (or a dog) are instantly allergic to something - rather, allergies are normally the result of continuous exposure to an allergen. As mentioned already, Royal Canin foods usually contain several substances that are extremely common allergen problems for dogs...

An alternative possibility is that there is something going on with her eyes. Or more specifically, with her tear ducts (possibly some sort of blockage - though you wouldn't really expect both eyes to be affected). But something is causing her to produce excessive amounts of tears. If it doesn't turn out to be an infection or other physical issue like that, if I were in your position, I'd certainly be looking at her food ;)

[StellaBabe]

thank you. i'll surely look into other food options.

[gmacleod]

It is certainly worth a thought ;)

If it helps, there is some good information about how to choose a good quality dry dog food at www.boxerworld.com/feeding Doesn't matter that that page was written with boxers in mind - good quality food is good quality food. It's not a breed-specific issue. Any food can only be as good as the ingredients used to make it, and that page tells you what to look for, what to avoid, and why.

And even if it isn't the cause, changing dry foods every so often is actually a good thing. Dogs aren't made to eat the same food day in and day out, any more than any other mammal. Even the best foods on the market don't "have it all" and rotating through different high quality foods can help to ensure that no dietary deficiencies or excesses develop over time. Feeding a wide range of different food items, preferably from an early age and preferably varying the main protein (meat) source in the food is also what helps to prevent food allergies from occuring in the first place ;) The same advice is given for humans, btw.

[bulldoggin30]

Stellababe, is it under both eyes or just one?

[StellaBabe]

just under one eye.

[bulldoggin30]

It sounds like it could be something physical in the eye then. I know when my American bulldog pups would get allergies or sometimes if they would cry/whine alot, they would get stains but under both eyes. You would think your pup would have them under both eyes also.

[gmacleod]

If it's just one eye, then I'd be more inclined to think that there is a physical cause. She may have a blocked or infected tear duct, or she may have eyelashes growing inward (effectively constantly poking her in the eye - there's a name for that condition, but it escapes me at the moment). I think you should take her along to a vet to have it looked at.

[franp]

There are two conditions.. One is called Entropian.. This is where the eyelashes grow inward..
The other possiblity is a " dormal mouse".. A skin tumor with hair growing out of it..,Not a dangerous condition, but one that causes the dog discomfort (as in the excessive tearing or irritation) and it must be treated..The treatment is surgical removal..
These growths, as a general rule are begnin(sp)..