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EYE STAIN

18K views 80 replies 23 participants last post by  ShamaMama 
#1 · (Edited)
Hi folks been a while since I showed my Avatar around here. Been busy, we purchase a Tiffin Motorhome and have been out and about seeing the world. My three pups love to travel and enjoy the couch rides we take. Anyway, I have been searching and expereminting to reduce or remove eye stain from my oldest pup Nuggie. He is 6 now and has had the red/rust eye stain since he was 8 weeks old. Several months ago I was in our Vets office for routine checkups and the eye stain issue came up. The Vet told me about a resent study of stomach issues with pups and a side effect was the eradication of red/rust eye and mouth staining. IAMS made a digestive aid called PROstora Max which was used in the stomach studies that lead to stain removal. Anyway we purchased a small supply to try out, one tab each morning, and after a month the staining was gone. We now give this to all of our pups and Beannie (our pied pup) had issues as well but being black in his face hid it. He too is now cured. Then we got word that IAMS was not going to produce PROstora anymore and the wild hunt was on. Contacted our Vet and he contacted the Doctors conducting the test in stomach issues for pups. Thank goodness there was another med that did the same thing and is in strong production. It is PROVIABLE-dc made by Nutramax. We again made a large purchase of Proviable and have been using it for the last month. Our Pups eyes and mouths are still clear of any staining and we are loving it. My larges pup, Nuggie is not snow while all over and looking great.

Just wanted to pass this along to all stain haters, AMAZON still carries PROstora but for how long no one knows. Also be aware of dates as this med has a live culture in it and fresh is best. We keep this one in the frig at all times. Good luck and enjoy the small miracles (your pups) every moment. :grin2:
 

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#3 ·
It looks like it is a pre/pro biotic. And, wow! It's expensive!!! $56 for a 1 month supply!!! I hate the staining, but that's a little rich for my blood, especially when mine are already on a good probiotic.
 
#6 · (Edited)
I have done it all. We have two very good water filters always running in the house or on the road. We did raw foods, dry foods, can foods, and home made food. I have spent a fortune on trying to get my babies looking their best. I will continue to use the above meds noted and keep our pups in great shape. Also a side effect was good poops all the time when taking these meds. Having a long haired pup and not good poop is a pain in the $%#. Expense is not a problem for me when it comes to my fur babies. Only the best, All the time!
 
#7 · (Edited)
Well, if it were a health issue (and if their poop isn't good, it may be) I'd be all over it. But in the case of Panda, her poop is fine, and she is on an excellent, vet approved pro and pre biotic with enzymes and eats top quality food. With her, she has no eye staining (and she has white hair there, so it's not just that it doesn't show) it's just around her mouth, and even there, it's not terrible. I think I'll just live with it. ;) She doesn't look too bad...
 

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#8 ·
some tear stains respond to probiotics ,some do not this shows that yours responded to probiotics . There's nothing unique about these two products. I prefer human grade probiotics.
 
#9 ·
My dog doesn't have staining and his muzzle is white. He eats primal frozen nuggets that are nothing but unadulterated fresh meat with some veggies, bone, etc. ground in for dietary balance. I have often wondered if maybe the fact that most pet food and treats seem to be colored an unnatural tint that could lead to staining I also wonder what chemicals are used.
 

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#19 · (Edited)
It really seems that different things cause staining in different dogs. There seem to be as many "cures" as there are dogs, too!. ;)

In our case, it's definitely NOT artificial coloring, because there is none in anything she eats. She has 8 siblings, and of the 9 puppies, she was already developing staining around her mouth (not from her eyes) while she was nursing, and was the only one to do so.

OTOH, the handler I've been working with says not to sweat it. As long as she's clean (and she always is) that's the LAST thing a judge is going to get hung up on when deciding between two dogs. It's rare that two are so closely matched that the ONLY thing to make a decision on is whether one has a stained beard. ;)
 
#20 ·
Hey, Joe! I don't think there is ANYTHING wrong with what you posted! But I also think that everyone else involved in the conversation has been respectful, just offering their own experience and perspectives. That's how we all learn from each other. I HATE it when people on the internet pounce on each other and get nasty, but honestly, there is almost NONE of that here. If it happens, the Mods get on top of it FAST. I hope you continue to participate!
 
#15 ·
I think Joe was trying to help those that know how difficult it is to find something that really solves the eye staining problem. I definitely
would try a product that was proven to work. When Scout was a puppy he had some staining on his left eye. I used Angel Eyes which cleared it up. That product is no longer available. It's something you would only understand if your dog is light colored. It can be big problem. Even if the product might be a little more expensive I would buy it knowing it
actually works. I really appreciate Joe's post because he knows how difficult a problem it can be with a light coat.
 
#16 · (Edited)
Hm...I didn't see any "war waging" happening here. I, like everyone here, would spare no expense in aiding my dogs' health, but like others, I don't like spending more than I need. These probiotics work for your dogs' poop quality, tear staining, etc, and that is wonderful. We love hearing about successes of our members. That said, I would much rather spend extra money on something that can improve the quality of my boys' lives than improve the way they look, especially because I don't mind the tear stains. Heck, my show dog has them and he WINS. They don't bother him, and they don't bother me. If I can find a pre/probiotic that can do what is essentially the same thing for cheaper than $60 a month and is human-grade, you bet your back I will choose that one. Those who commented that they didn't see the need for those have dogs that, though staining might exist, are happy and healthy were not finding fault in you; they were simply stating that they personally did not find them necessary for their dogs.

We would love to have your presence on the forum. Please don't feel the need to leave because you felt unwanted or unappreciated. I think it is unfair to negatively characterize a group that has been nothing kind, welcoming, and helpful to me.
 
#24 ·
Hm...I didn't see any "war waging" happening here.

We would love to have your presence on the forum. Please don't feel the need to leave because you felt unwanted or unappreciated. I think it is unfair to negatively characterize a group that has been nothing kind, welcoming, and helpful to me.
I think part of the problems with online forums is that there is no eye contact or body language. Sometimes things get said in a way that is misunderstood and if one could see the person "talking" there would not be any misunderstanding.
 
#17 ·
I am very new to the Havanese Forum, and love all the information posted. I had not thought about prebioticsome until reading this post. Are they essential? Is this something I should be considering for Willie? I don't think he has excessive staining... he has brown around his eyes so it's hard to tell. Is there something I should be cleaning his eyes with? Or his face? I must admit I have not been doing eith we r of those things. I just give him a bath once a week, and brush every day....
 
#22 ·
Reduction of staining is a nice side effect of pre-probiotics in the case of Joe's dogs. That's not the main reason people feed them. My vet feels that ALL dogs who have any stress in their lives, even if it's "fun" stress, should be on pre and probiotics and enzymes. It helps keep their intestinal tract on an even keel. And since MOST dogs DO experience some kinds of stress un less they sit on a cushion all day long, it sure doesn't hurt to have even household pets on them. My guys are training and competing on a regular basis, but even trip to the groomers or doggy day care can cause the kind of mild stress that can upset the intestinal tract.

As far as his face is concerned, depending on how short his facial hair is, it may not NEED washing after meals. If you are brushing him daily, it's easy enough to use a face comb to remove any "eye gunk" from the corners of his days. Panda and Kodi get very little, and that's all that is necessary for them. Pixel gets a bit more, and it's easier to soften it with a wet cotton pad (I usually just use water, though every once in a while I try a different eye cleaning solution) then comb it out. It's sure not a big deal, though! Oh, and Kodi and Pixel have black faces, so stains wouldn't show anyway. Panda does have a white muzzle, but her "problem" is not eye staining... it's actually clean under her eyes. In her case, it's around her mouth that gets so stained.
 
#18 ·
My groomer was here today laboring on "Labor Day", thank goodness! Scout and Truffles had such a wonderful time In Tahoe romping everywhere including the beach. Given that it was our vacation, my husband and I let the dogs be free from daily brushing and combing. They loved it! The nightly tooth brushing was still enforced! :brushteeth::brushteeth:

I mentioned to her that there had been discussion about staining and Proviable was suggested. She thought it might be helpful to all on the forum that one reads the book " Eat Dirt" by Dr. Josh Axe. This book is written for humans but, it explains in detail how the digestive system works and why pre and probiotics are so valuable and necessary to maintain a healthy gut.
Carnivore Dog breed Fawn Companion dog Terrestrial animal
 
#29 ·
Karen - Have you seen any improvement in staining after using the Proviable for awhile? I've been giving it to Willow too. I'm not sure if I'm seeing any improvement, but it's not any worse. It might be a little bit better. Just not sure. I had her beard and mustache trimmed back a few days ago and it does look like the new growth is coming in white. She doesn't have the tear staining so much. I'm dealing with saliva staining. I'm also diligent in washing her face after eating.
 
#30 ·
Panda's is probably more saliva staining than tear staining also... here eyes actually tear less than my other two, and they don't tear much. But, no, I haven't seen any improvement yet with the Proviable. I've got a 90 day supply, and it's just another probiotic, so at worst, it's harmless. So I'll keep giving it to her until it's gone, and assess at that point!
 
#31 ·
Hi all:
Because I'm concerned about Chico's eye stain, I thought I'd go on the forum on the off-chance that I could get some advice and WOW! you folks are fantastic and all over it! I'm a little hesitant to tweak his food, give pro/prebiotics just yet because he does have a delicate stomach...and he's been fine, in that regard, lately (so if it ain't broke..).

His eye stain doesn't quite fit the patterns described above. It's one eye that is definitely staining more than the other, with the fur around the eye pinkish/rust-like. He itches it occasionally, though not in a nonstop/crazyboy way. The vet does have him on allergy pills 2X a day and is reluctant to up the dose, for which I respect her. And the pills seem to have alleviated other allergy symptoms (which she believes are seasonal).

Still, the pronounced eye stain in one eye only is new.(He is four.) Vet saw him 10 days ago and gave me ear drops to use when needed, to alleviate ear itching if skin looks patchy or irritated, because she wondered whether ear/eye-itching were cause/effect. But doesn't seem so.

He looks a little miserable, my guy. Thoughts? Thanks all...so grateful for this generous forum.
 
#32 ·
Hi all:
Because I'm concerned about Chico's eye stain, I thought I'd go on the forum on the off-chance that I could get some advice and WOW! you folks are fantastic and all over it! I'm a little hesitant to tweak his food, give pro/prebiotics just yet because he does have a delicate stomach...and he's been fine, in that regard, lately (so if it ain't broke..).

His eye stain doesn't quite fit the patterns described above. It's one eye that is definitely staining more than the other, with the fur around the eye pinkish/rust-like. He itches it occasionally, though not in a nonstop/crazyboy way. The vet does have him on allergy pills 2X a day and is reluctant to up the dose, for which I respect her. And the pills seem to have alleviated other allergy symptoms (which she believes are seasonal).

Still, the pronounced eye stain in one eye only is new.(He is four.) Vet saw him 10 days ago and gave me ear drops to use when needed, to alleviate ear itching if skin looks patchy or irritated, because she wondered whether ear/eye-itching were cause/effect. But doesn't seem so.

He looks a little miserable, my guy. Thoughts? Thanks all...so grateful for this generous forum.
I would try to find a canine eye specialist. I would think if it were allergies then both eyes would be affected. I have no experience with this, but my first gut instinct would be an ingrown eyelash or hair that is unseen, an undetectable cyst under the skin, a tiny scratch on the eyeball (happened to my own eye), or just about anything that might need an ocular specialist.
 
#34 ·
I agree... it is NOT typical for a dog to suddenly develop eye staining period, and when it's just one eye, AND he's itching it too, I think an eye specialist is definitely in order. I think, since his other eye is fine, AND this one USED to be fine, if you get to the root of what's making his eye tear, the staining will go away too.
 
#36 ·
I started Leo and Rex on Proviable-dc about 1.5 months ago. Leo's eye staining had flared up again. Rexy has had more of an issue with red staining in his beard. Rexy's beard is growing out without stains. There is a distinct line between the older growth that is stained and the newer growth that isn't and doesn't seem to be staining. Leo's eyes are no longer tearing this no eye stains. I order the Proviable from Amazon and so far am pleased with the results.
 
#37 ·
Wish it had worked as well for me! Panda's staining isn't too bad anyway, but I really haven't seen any difference. I have the stuff, and it's a 90 day supply, so I'll use it at least until I run out, but so far, nuthin' here.
 
#41 ·
The interesting thing is that Panda also has a white ring of fur before the staining starts under her eyes... But that's not new, she has always been like that.
 
#40 ·
Willow is also on Proviable DC. I started her on it probably about a month or more ago. I'm keeping my fingers crossed, but I do think perhaps I see a difference. It's hard to tell. I recently had her beard and mustache trimmed way back as it was so stained and dirty looking. I do think the new growth looks white. She also is a compulsive paw licker and her feet are also stained but it they don't look like they are getting worse and maybe even looking lighter. Her lady part is also somewhat stained but it doesn't look as bad either. I'm hoping it's not just wishful thinking on my part. I'm so glad to hear others are seeing a change.
 
#47 ·
I have had the vet look at her feet. He didn't see anything wrong but feels that it's caused by the feet being damp frequently. I've tried some wipes and some spray that is supposed to help with itching, but it seems to make her lick them more. Trying to like the stuff off I think. We spent almost 2 weeks in the eastern part of our state on a summer camping trip. I noticed that when we were there she stopped a lot of the compulsive licking. It's quite a bit dryer and warmer in that part of our state than it is in the Pacific NW where we live. I have a feeling that it's our continual damp weather or dewy grass that is the cause.
 
#45 ·
Well dang I ordered that product now Im hesitant to try it! Oh well cant hurt I guess, also Im changing foods too I think its gotta be diet, Ive read about Annameat but didn't see if it was grain free? Im thinking Im gonna try a little bag of Petcurean or Annameat..... if those are a failure Im going with Ziwipeak I don't care if its costly at this point Ha! My girls are very PICKY FINICKY eaters Im over it!

So glad we all can share what works what doesn't! But I really want to find that PERFECT probiotic for sure!!

Oh we took the girls to topsail NC beach just got in Saturday whew 8.5 hrs in the car not fun my girls did awesome though.. we went for 8 days lol wow my girls were LOVING every 2 mile walk 4xs a day now back in GA its hot and they are bored urghhhhh.............

Nic Darla N Heidi:smile2:
 
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