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Archived Message

ORIGINAL MESSAGE:
by Kathy

Wow, did I have a great discovery. Sophie, our 7 month old, has been teething this last week and her tear stains have bee just awful. I read on an E-mail list about using Hydrogen Peroxide (H2O2) on them. I tried this morining and WOW what a difference! At least a 75% improvement. Just don't get it in their eyes. I used a cotton ball and did not rinse it out, just left it on the fur. I am quite pleased!! Let me know if you get the same results.

DISCUSSION:

I started using it on my females when the were in season, as that is when they stain, and I have had great luck with it. It doesn't dry out their skin, and my vet said that it will not hurt them if they accidently lick it. It will also take stains off of their feet. With the grandkids around I also use it on juice and other stains in carpet and on clothing.
-Marsha A.

Do you use it full strength or dilute it? I have been using a 1:3 peroxide/water solution and have had improvement but no where near as good results as you report. Are you saying it's okay to use full strength peroxide as long as it doesn't get in their eyes? Thanks.
-Charlain

Yes, I would like to know also if you use it full strength. I thought it was 1:1 with water and made into a paste with corn starch.Though Im sure there is many different recipes. Is it true you can use corn starch alone?
-Kathy S.

Yes, I use it full strength. It doesn't seem to bother her and it sure helps. Of course, it isn't solving the original problem, its just masking the symptoms but it makes for a prettier pup. I have not tried the paste with corn starch, I don't think Sophie would stay still long enough. I can barely get the peroxide on with the cotton ball.
-Kathy

Hi Kathy: What strength is the peroxide you are using? I have tried 3% with limited success; I know it is available in 6%, 20% and 30% but I was a bit scared to try them in case they were too strong.
-Deanna (Moose & Squirrel)

I am also having tear stain problems with my 12 week old puppy. I am currently using the corn starch but I am not sure if I am using it correctly. How offen should I use it and how? My puppy's hair around her eyes seem to be to long but I am not sure if I should cut it since she is still to young for grooming. Any advise on this?
-Myrta

Myrta, In my opinion, if the fur is getting into her eyes, I would trim it. It would have to be irritating. If you do this, please be careful! If you pull up on the fur to snip, realise that their skin comes up too, and do not snip skin! Also, when sissors get that close they might jerk. Just be very, very careful, use small sharp sissors, but do try to keep the fur out of the eyes. If you plan on taking her to a groomer, it may be best to go ahead, even if it's just for that. They need to get used to a groomer early anyway. I groom Taffy myself.
-Robin K.

We too had the same problem- also staining of the "chin hair"- we changed her food to one that the vet recoomended- and now we do not have the problem at all. Jewels is eating Nutramax. I also heard that green beans given on a daily basis keeps this under control. We never tried that- I was surprized t read about the peroxide... However if it works for you... then by all means go for it!! :)
-Penelope

The hydrogen peroxide I use is 3%. The hardest part about applying it is keeping Sophie still. Grooming still is the hardest part of Maltese ownership as far as I am concerned.
-Kathy