this is the first good “cut through the myths” article i’ve read–i don’t even live near indianapolis, but appreciate a good source of REAL info. Treatment with antibiotics will effectively combat a bacterial infection, but antibiotics are not effective against fungal/yeast infections, and anti-fungal medications will help clear yeast infections, but … Very helpful!!! So this post explains that his issue mush be the porphyrin issue – and that is why it went away with antibiotics!!! someone boogered up the spelling and mislabelled this yeast as Ptyrosporin. The main topic in this discussion listed reasons not to use angel eyes. Of course there are! Great article! I have tried Tylosin from the vet – and it worked for a little while, but after reading the stories about this anti-biotic and it’s mis-use, I’ve decided not to continue to put that in his food on a daily basis anymore. CLINIC HOURS: Mon-Fri 8am-6pm. He is fed cooked barley with chicken breast and vegetables over top of his Iams every night. Please feel free to communicate with me through Twitter (, Holistic Vets on Tracie Hotchner’s Radio Pet Lady Network. Porphyrins are excreted primarily through bile and the intestinal tract, but in dogs a significant amount of porphyrin is excreted through tears, saliva and also urine. May I ask what food you landed on that ended up working? “The chemical reaction between porphyrins and fur is what causes the change in color,” says Dr. Zay Satchu, chief veterinary officer and co-founder of BondVet, based in New York City. Porphyrins are iron-containing molecules produced when the body breaks down iron. The staining in the dog tears is as a result of having the porphyrin pigment in it. That means keeping the face hair trimmed, and wiping the face at least twice daily with a slightly damp wash cloth, to dilute out and wash away the tears. The mechanism of this bacterial porphyrin production is unclear. Quick rule of thumb – any time there’s a million suggested treatments for something, that means that no one treatment works for everyone. In … If you have ever noticed a white dog who has been licking or chewing on his leg, the hair in that area will turn iron-brown in color as well. I am appalled at some of the solutions listed through a Goggle search. Flea comb can be use around eyes! instead of trying one of those semi-antibiotic products i’d already had reservations about, i’ll definitely try cleaning his face twice a day and changing his plastic fountain bowl thing to a metal one–so good to know that so many of these bacteria paranoias are false, and that it’s just a cosmetic issue from tearing and licking his feet (he’s always had weird allergies). Although somewhat unsightly, the staining caused by porphyrines is just that -- cosmetically unsightly. The porphyrin that is contained in your dog’s tears causes the actual stain. None. NO MEDICATION IS HARMLESS. my small furry child (maltese, age 3) recently stopped being bright white around his face, mouth and nails, and after endless googling i assumed he had a red yeast infection all around that spread from his chronic brown ear bacteria issue (which i treat daily with vet prescriptions). 4. If nothing else for the validation that this is a big, weird topic. Thanks so much. Here are some treatment options for dealing with tear staining in dogs include: Keep the hair around the eyes and nose as short as possible. It isn’t good for your dog. So Malassezia = Pityrosporum, but Ptyrosporin doesn’t exist. Chlorhexidine is antibacterial and synergized by Tris … BROWN staining from yucky yeast infection secondary to poor grooming maintenance, and RED staining from porphyrins, are two different problems, which is why oral supplements aimed at reducing porphyrin production will not work in all dogs. We see tear staining most often in white and light-colored dogs. I use a Brita pitcher that filters water to pour into his bowl most of the time. Dog tear stains are usually related to epiphora, which is excessive tear production. “These porphyrins accumulate, causing the dark discoloration.” Here’s a closer look at some of the factors known to cause tear stains on dogs. Tylosin based products are usually a pretty effective solution for the treatment of porphyrin staining in dogs. ... dogs with light-colored fur will have more obvious tear-staining than will darker dogs. STEP 6: If you insist on using antibiotics, under veterinary supervision, drugs like doxycycline, metronidazole and enrofloxacin have all been used with some success. BONUS? Another possibility is through prevention instead of treatment, or stopping your dog's coat from ever staining in the first place. There is some suspicion (though nobody has ever proved this) that our old friend Malassezia (aka Pityrosporium, aka NOT Ptyrosporin) are still involved somehow, even though we know very well the problem is primarily bacteria. When his wrinkles got a little irritated, I rushed him to the vet. In a normal dog, fluorescein stain will appear around the nose a few minutes after applying the stain to the eye. Keep the face clean and dry. (TOP photo is recent) (BOTTOM photo is before this started). Thank you! These iron-related stains intensify/darken in the presence of sunlight. Wait, did you just say that Angels Eyes and Angels Glow are effective because they contain ANTIBIOTICS?!? Time to learn about yeast – AFTER A QUICK HISTORY LESSON. This means you’ll have to manually clean the eyes several times a day with a gentle, slightly damp cloth. Although in the past antibiotics have been used with mixed results to control staining, the use of antibiotics for a cosmetic problem cannot be recommended. Excessive tears, then, is a problem that can’t necessarily be fixed in most of these dogs (because we bred it into them in the first place), but the effects of too many tears can be managed. A variety of factors may contribute to staining around your pup's eyes, including red yeast, bacteria and pigments contained in your dog's tears called porphyrins, according to petMD. Now, assuming you and your veterinarian have ruled out medical causes of excessive tear production, what now can be done for the stains that often result? and Tears are vital to eye health; they keep the cornea moist and wash away dust. Perhaps I will take some before and after pics, creating a regimen from this article : ). ARE THERE ORAL MEDICATIONS THAT REDUCE PORPHYRIN PRODUCTION AND DO NOT CONTAIN TYLOSIN? Unfortunately, in a lot of instances, fur staining can't be treated simply. Tear stains are usually caused by dye molecules called porphyrins. Why isn’t the FDA more concerned about the OTC use of an antibiotic? And why do these stains happen in the first place? thanks SO MUCH for this! dear “whitedogowner” Whilst there’s no miracle answer to eliminating tear staining, this article helps you understand why it happens and what you can do about tear staining in dogs. Or, if you want to get really fancy, cleaning under the eyes with ordinary contact lens cleaning solution (containing dilute boric acid, that oxidizes the iron in the porphyrins and lightens the color) will help keep things neat and tidy. Acids like boric and citric (Vit C) presumably oxidize the porphyrin iron compounds and lighten them, whereas sunlight makes the stains darker. The exact cause of the problem needs to be identified before the dog can be treated. Water that is high in iron may be responsible for the staining. Some of them are … The next step is to keep the face clean and dry. Most recently (the past 4 weeks) I have been adding one heaping tablespoon of cottage cheese into his kibble (Iams) and mixing that up then pouring the barley/chicken/veg mixture over-top. Should I try plain yogurt instead? I offer my services on a house call basis and my territory includes West Hollywood, Beverly Hills, Bel Air, Brentwood and Pacific Palisades. In this article, we cover dog tear staining causes, the importance and impact of dog food in this condition, and explore the best dog food options for dogs with tear stains. Naturally, now that we’re getting into the fuzzy realm of nutraceuticals, probiotics and other poorly-studied supplements with little to no oversight or regulation, I can’t really vouch for any of these products. Some folks swear by homemade or raw diets, others are concerned about nutrient balance issues with homemade diets, most veterinarians prefer you feed a well-studied commercial diet of some kind, from a major manufacturer. What about Red Yeast? While weepy eyes can affect any breed of dog, it is especially obvious in breeds with light-colored fur and commonly affects certain breeds such as Poodles, Maltese and Shih Tzus. … It's these porphyrins that create reddish-brown stains through the process of oxidation, similar to the way in which iron and iron-based metal alloys rust over time. What Causes Tear Staining In Dogs? Your questions and comments are completely welcome (I’ll respond). If not, I will look for holisitic/natural cures that you mentioned about – also Angels Eyes now has an all natural version (I tried the old version but it didnt help, so I assume Tylosin was NOT the antibiotic needed – my dog took Cephalexin, so something in that helped). Patrick Mahaney: Veterinarian Acupuncture Pain Management for Your Pets. These pooches often seem to have a pink to brown beard. thanks for your time on that! Many dogs also have similar red-staining in the fur around the mouth caused by oxidation of porphyrins which is also found in your pet’s saliva. So buyer beware, and always consult with your veterinarian before starting your dog on any supplement please. Tear staining occurs when a chemical called porphyrin, a breakdown product of blood in the tears, interacts with the light and is oxidized. No clear right or wrong here, do what works for you and your family. In the following years, there was controversy regarding the generic name of the fungus, and in 1984, Malassezia finally gained priority over Pityrosporum and was accepted as the generic name for the fungus. Questions to ask your veterinarian Shouldn’t that be illegal? Porphyrins are iron-containing molecules produced when the body breaks down red blood cells. Also, dogs with light-colored fur will have more obvious tear-staining than will darker dogs. Pending the veterinarian’s evaluation and ability to manage the issue, an affected pet may need to be evaluated by a veterinary specialist, such as an ophthalmologist, dermatologist, dentist or internal … This can happen to any part of your dog’s body that he likes to lick or chew, such as the fur on your dog’s feet or the fur around the eyes. Testimonials abound, you’re mostly on your own when choosing one over the other, but as with any product, you’ll find someone who swears by each of them, and someone else who says it’s voodoo nonsense and doesn’t work. Just stressing on the Daily Grooming of eyes at Home!!!!! That’s all!! Dog breeds. Porphyrins are created during the normal cycle of biosynthesis of hemoglobin to create energy. However, when exposed to oxygen, they “rust.” The oxidation of porphyrins causes the brown discoloration you are noticing. |Great Post!!! But cleaning the face certainly isn’t the whole story, is it……..? Or should I try the food that you have been feeding your Borzoi? Tylosin, the antibiotic in Angels’ Eyes, is often effective in these bacterial cases. I hope that continuing to keep his face/mouth/tummy clean daily will keep the issue away! When tears collect under your dog’s eye, it is more likely that they will experience staining from porphyrin in their tears. Some of the antibiotics help in clearing Porphyrin in some species of dogs. Thank you for reading this article. 5. I was confused, because I guess I assumed it was yeast = porphyrin causing the stains – thinking it was the same thing (I was his face twice a day). College & 106th, Carmel: (317) 721-7387 The stains that discolor the fur below the dog’s eyes are due to porphyrins, an iron-containing molecule secreted in tears, says Monk. I wasnt sure why it was cured and what to do when it came back, but now I at least have an idea. This interaction produces the formation of a highly reactive oxygen species (ROS), usually singlet oxygen, as well as superoxide anion, free hydroxyl radical, or hydrogen peroxide. This pigment is commonly found in tears, urine, and saliva. – STEP 7: Tums or Apple Cider Vinegar? It is why sometimes you end up with a brown or red stain from the tears. Especially from groomers and ‘show-dog-people’ where several suggested incredibly dangerous things so your dog would look good in the show ring or for pics, etc. Plastic food bowls often develop tiny cracks that harbor bacteria and cause facial irritation. I’m going to attempt to clear it up. … STEP 2: Throw away your plastic food bowls. When porphyrin containing tears or saliva sits on white fur for any length of time, stains result. DermaZoo’s TrisOptho Wipes are an excellent antibiotic-free alternative to help aid in the treatment of tear staining. The skin folds can become very painful and infected this can usually be treated with antibiotics, pain relief and or regular cleansing of the affected areas. Nice of you to take the time to explore and explain this gray-area subject. Owners can do this by simply wiping away the tears as they develop. Although it doesn’t bother the dog it upsets you that he doesn’t look his best. Probably not forever, as every other country in the world has outlawed Angels Eyes and their ilk and some have taken action to remove these products from store shelves (here’s a supporting document from the UK). Dog saliva contains pigments called porphyrins. Thanks for steering me away from Angels Eyes. When the dog reaches maturity, tear staining should lessen. My dog has tear stairs, beard stains and stains on his tummy. This implies that yeast is not the only cause of tear stains. Glenn “There is a genetic basis for dogs that get tear stains and we do see it in certain types of dogs more than others,” says Klein. Hopelessly stained in Chatsworth, NJ “Porphyrins contain iron and when broken down, produce a reddish brown color which shows up on the dog’s fur underneath their eyes.” Dogs and puppies prone to cosmetic-level tear stains are typically unbothered by the porphyrin build-up but pet parents who wish to clean up their companion’s face and get rid of tear stains can do so safely with the right dog tear stain remover. I am going to start with the most natural methods, like cleaning her face 2x daily + changing diet. It gives sound answears to the problem of tear staining, which is the case of my dog. Once upon a time (1874), a fellow named Malassez isolated yeast cells from human dandruff scales (ew!). The stains cause no discomfort. I DO NOT RECOMMEND you use OTC Tylosin, Terramycin (oft misspelled Teramyacin), makeup remover, milk of magnesia, yogurt, hydrogen peroxide, gold bond, corn syrup, or any other voodoo concoction to remove tear stains, as obviously putting ANY of these things INSIDE the eye is likely to make your dog really unhappy. All Rights Reserved. Oy, Red Yeast, also known on various websites, blogs and forums as ” Ptyrosporin “. Subscribe to get the latest pet health news and information! The mechanism of this bacterial porphyrin production is unclear. Therefore, use Vitamin C liquid to oxidize the iron contained in porphyrin stains. You can give your dog fresh parsley or parsley flakes with their food. ©2021 CPAW, Inc.. Resource Articles ©2021 GeniusVets. I don’t endorse any of these, this list is for information purposes only: HERE’S MY BOTTOM LINE – HOW TO TREAT TEAR STAINS: STEP 1: Meticulously maintain your dog’s clean face. All dogs have some porphyrin in their tears, but some dogs have more than others. BONUS – STEP 8: Does a higher quality diet reduce porphyrin production in some dogs? Dogs may also have adverse reactions to plastic food bowls. I have a white poodle and I use one! Why Is the Fur On My Dog’s Face or Body Stained Brown? Bacteria like Malassezia need a specific medication. Wipe face with a damp cloth twice a day to remove excessive tears, and keep regular appointments with the groomer. Porphyrins are iron-containing molecules, produced when the body breaks down red blood cells. These iron-related stains intensify/darken in the presence of sunlight. How do you treat it? 6. Grab yourself a cup of tea, this might take a minute…. 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