MMaltese World

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Eye Care & Tearstaining.

Tearstaining can be a challenge for many Maltese owners. Most dogs do tearstain to some degree. Because of the Maltese's pure white coat, it is much more noticable than many other breeds.

Any condition that causes the eyes to tear, can cause the unsightly staining on the face. Puppies cut their baby teeth, lose them and cut their adult teeth all in about the first 6 months of life. The pressure in the facial area can cause excessive tearing, which in turns cause the hair to stain underneath the eye area. This excessive tearing during this time is similar to how a baby drools when cutting new teeth. It's very hard to prevent this type of tearing.
Very often this will correct itself once the puppy becomes a young adult. However, some
adult Maltese may have continued problems with tearstaining and you will need to invest
a little care and prevention and some investigation to keep it in control.

A very good first step is to check with the vet to see if clogged tear ducts may be present. Your vet may suggest a course of antibiotics to make sure an infection is not to blame.

There can be a variety of causes, and you will need to try a variety of solutions to
correct the cause(s).

Here are some tips to help in the effort to minimize tearstaining.

* Wash the face daily, especially the stained area with a mild shampoo. Be careful not get the shampoo into the eyes. A soft bristle toothbrush works well for this. Rinse well. Eye cleansing pads are very convenient and would work well for daily cleansing also. After cleansing, apply a tearstain product such as Tearclear, or Diamond Eye. Follow the manufacturers instuctions. To obtain any benefit from these type of products, they must be used frequently and consistently. Be careful not to get the product into the eyes.

* Try bottled water, many wells or local water supplies have alot of minerals in them, which can cause discoloration.

* Make sure your food is of high quality and free of colors and dyes.

* Give 1/2 a flavored tums twice a day, the calcium carbonate helps to adjust the PH of
your dogs system.

* Ask the vet about allergies. Dogs can have allergies, just like people. Allegies can be a very likely cause of excessive tearing, especially if notice an increased problem during peak allergy seasons. Note: If you smoke around your Maltese, this is another likely cause of allergic reactions and eye irration.

* Control fleas. Fleas can be a major souce of staining. Fleas can cause a host of other health problems also.

* There is a new product called Revolution, which is very effective against fleas, and earmites. Revolution is also a monthly heartworm preventative. It is a topical treatment that is applied between the shoulder blades once a month. It is a prescription product, so you'll have to ask you vet about it.

* Try a daily cleaning/removal product.

Tearstain removal is possible, however every attempt to find a permanent solution
should be made, otherwise it will only reappear.

* To remove severe staining that will not respond to over-the-counter products. Consult a groomer, or try the solution below:

A word of caution: It is very important not to get this solution into the eyes. Please do not attempt to remove the staining yourself, if you are not comfortable working this closely to the eye area. It would be best to consult a professional groomer.

YOU WILL NEED:
Sterile protective eyedrops
20 to 40 volume human hair peroxide
Milk of Magnesia.
Corn starch
Cotton swabs or a small soft bristle toothbrush.

* Place a couple drops of the protective eyedrops into your dogs eyes, this will help protect them.

* Mix about a teaspoon of Milk of Magnesia and a teaspoon of the human hair peroxide,
add just enough corn starch to make a paste.

* Apply to the stained area, using a small toothbrush or cotton swab. Be extremely careful not to get the solution too close to the eyes. Apply a small amount, just enough to cover the stained hair. Do not allow this solution to get too close to the mouth, your Maltese may try to lick it off. Direct the solution back, away from the mouth area.

* Watch your Maltese closely for about the first hour, prevent them from rubbing their eyes with their paws. Some people prefer to hold their Maltese, until the solution has had time to dry.

* Leave the solution on overnight.

* Wash it out the next morning and condition the area well.

* Repeat in a few days if needed, condition hair in between treatments.

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