Archived Message

ORIGINAL MESSAGE:
by Valerie

I was just wondering if anyone has found a safe and effective product to remove the tear stains that form under the eyes on the Maltese dogs. I know of a breeder who uses an antibiotic called Tylan that is used in their water and effectively keeps his dogs from staining, however keeping a dog on antibiotics allows bacteria to become immune to some antibiotics and makes fighting future infections more difficult. Does anyone have any suggestions?

DISCUSSION:

I've learned on another website (sorry!) that it is sometimes helpful to give your Maltese 1/2 of a Tums 1 to 2 times a day. It affects their Ph balance and can help tear staining in some cases. I give one to my little guy and call it his "special treat". It does seem to slow down the browning. Hope it helps!
-Valerie too!

Have tried the "Tum remedy" for almost a year now. Have seen no improvement at all. I did just as it was told. No worky.
-Jomon

We use Panmycin Aquadrops, 100 mg per ml (from vet only). We use five drops a day for 10 days, then wait until staining gets bad again. This is supposed to be a very low level of tetracycline. As I understand, tearing may be from clogged or non-existant tear duct. Vets can operate if this is the reason for the tearing but it is expensive.
-Paul Creager

Flushing the tearducts or opening them surgically is not the expensive part. The anesthetic is what is costly, so if your dog is having something else done ie; spay or dental work ask about having tearducts done at the same time.
-Sylvia

I have been using a formula with great success--mix one part 3% hydrogen peroxide (bought at the drugstore--a human product), 1 part white Milk of Magnesia, and thicken to a thick soup consistency. Apply to the tear-stained hair. Avoid getting in the eye. Use perm wrap papers and wrap around the treated hair and band. The next day, break apart the dried mixture, apply a little conditioner to counteract the drying effect (a good human leave-in conditioner, Pet Silk, or Vellus Satin creme) and reapply. It took only two weeks using this to completely clear all eye stain from a puppy. Thereafter, simply try cleaning the eyes 2-3 times a day to avoid restaining.
-Linda (Snow Angel)

I've also had good luck with the MOM/peroxide/corn starch mixture. BTW, I think Linda forgot to mention that you thicken the MOM and peroxide with enough corn starch to form a paste. Since I keep Splitter in a puppy cut with short facial packings, I don't roll the hair up. I just let it dry overnight. Like Linda, I also use human, leave-in hair conditioner on the face once I rinse out the "mixture".

P.S. I also use bottled water since I live in an area with hard, mineraled water. And if you're a smoker like I am, I NEVER smoke, and never have smoked, in my house or around my babies. Not only is it not good for them to breath the secondhand smoke, I think it could also be a contributor to tear-staining (after all, it does stain your hands and your walls and whatever).
-Tonya&Splitter&Suitie

I tried the tums, but not the MOM, as the peroxide said not to put it near the eyes. I tried all the safe things that I found to no avail. Finally I just started cleaning their faces a couple of times per day with Johnson's Baby shampoo and water. I also changed from a water bowl to a water bottle. I use a little Pet Silk where the stains used to be so that if their eyes tear, they won't stain and my dogs faces are clear. I think some of the things I tried were irritating their eyes more. They have beautiful clean faces now, and i only wash them every couple of days. (A distributor for the Pet Silk is now listed on the Maltese Only advertisement section.)
-Marsha A.

I have been using 20 volume creme peroxide that you can get at a beauty supply store. Its thick and stays were you put it. I hold my doggy still and leave it set for about and minute and then shampoo it off. Seems to work pretty good. This peroxide is stronger than the 3 o/o from the drug store so works faster. I also use a hair polisher by "Rusk" than make his coat shine and calm down the fullness. Also makes for combing out a lot easier and it smells great! My pup does not seem to have any adverse reactions to either product.
-mtm

Has anyone tried white clown make-up? It's grease paint and not only covers the stain keeps the new tears from staining.
-cis rose

i use stuff from the pet store called tear away and you put it on w/a q-tip and it takes one or two times to work!!! But it does it!!!
-Brandi

In the 2 years that I have had my 4 year old Lucie, I have tried several different eye stain removers. The one that I have found that works the best is called " Eye Clear " by Gimborn. It comes in a small white plastic bottle and is easy to apply.
-Rose

Has anyone tried a prdocut called "conceal" by Bio Groom? It's a white cream that you put on the area to conceal the stains & seal the hair against future staining. It was recommended by the teacher of our Puppy Kindegarten class.
-Carole W.

My vet just suggested tonight that I use one drop of Visine daily in each of my Maltese's eyes. Has anyone tried this? Any success? I thought I remembered reading that someone tried applying the Visine with a cotton ball directly to the red staining under the eyes. Any advice???
-Kim