Sudden Increase In Tearing/staining

[MalteseLuna]

Hi Everyone,

I'm looking for some advice about my 2 year old Maltese. She has suddenly started tearing alot from both her eyes, she normally had a tiny bit of staining around her eyes but only a small "wick" and it was generally pretty dry most of the day (vet always just told me "oh all white dogs get tear stained, nothing to be done"). Well in the past week its suddenly gotten vary bad, her face is completely stained and her face is wet alot. She is also staining on her feet where she is licking and around her mouth - which is a new development. I haven't changed her diet or shampoos and I can't think of any thing that is particularly different (though the change in season might be to blame...but this didn't happen last year).

First off should I go to the vet? or a specialist? and If a specialist can someone recommend anyone in Sydney (near Paddington)?

Second how to I clean the stains off once everything is 'fixed' or is it just a matter of waiting for it to grow out and cutting it all out ( her face was just getting long again after I stupidly cut all her hair in a moment of cookoo crazies)

Thanks for any advice!

Kylie and Loony Luna

[ellz]

Eye specialist and pronto. You don't mess with eyes!

Can't recommend one as I'm not in Sydney, but I daresay somebody here will chime in.

But the other issue, licking and staining feet and mouth concerns me too. Do you feed Apple Cider Vinegar? This could help somewhat, but I'd be more interested in underlying causes.

What do you feed? I know you said you haven't changed diet, but maybe the formulation of what you feed has changed? Or maybe you need to look at a basic elimination diet to see if it helps the situation.

[poodlefan]

The first thing I suggest you do is find a better vet. While it may be "normal" to see a lot of white dogs with eye stains, it is not "normal" or healthy for white dogs to have them.

Eyestains can sometimes be a symptom of mouth or throat issues - what sort of condition are her teeth in.

I'd suggest a second (better) vet opinion and if necessary a specialist visit after that. You'll need a referral anyway.

In the meantime, remove all gluten, preservatives and food colourings from her diet. That may help.

Edited August 10, 2009 by poodlefan

[redarachnid]

Sounds like allergies to me. The eye/foot/belly combo is usually a giveaway. Nothing new or different necessarily needs to have happened, it just starts up one day. Especially in white dogs with pink skin.

You need a vet with skin/allergy expertise and interest (many aren't really interested in delving deeper into the cause) or failing that, a referral to a specialist.

Food elinination trials are usually the first suggestion. Unfortunatey it's often things that can't be helped like pollens, dust and grasses.

Good luck.

Edited August 10, 2009 by redarachnid

[MalteseLuna]

Okay booked in with a new vet at 5pm this afternoon - Ill let you guys know what the verdict is and I might show some photos etc.

If anyone has a specialist in Sydney I would love to know - in case I need to go there, would there be one at Sydney Uni Vet?

She is fed Eagle Pack Salmon, Sardine etc, I haven't gotten a new packet and I've been using the same one for about 2 months. I also feed raw chicken necks occasionally. It might well be her teeth as they are probably due for her first dental (though they are definitely BAD... they aren't sparkling white like they used to be). I know she has reactivity to corn fillers (found this out when she was a pup).

It's weird - she chews her feet but mainly (as I see it) so she can chew her nails... which she seems to like I've tried stopping this behaviour and brought it up with the vet - who indicated that it was just her "quirk".

She has had a history of elevated ALT levels - but the specialist at Sydney uni wasn't concerned and recommended keeping an eye on them but no treatment/further tests.

She doesn't have a rash on her feet/tummy or anywhere and her ears look fine to me. As I am well aware that the staining could be related to ears, allergies etc.

Thanks for the advice guys it's so helpful having nice knowledgeable people close at hand

Kylie and Loony Luna

[MalteseLuna]

Here are the ingredients/stats about her diet/food

Anchovy, Sardine & Salmon Meal Formula with Oatmeal

Eagle Pack Holistic Fish23% Protein / 13% Fat

*

Harvested from cold ocean water, they are put on ice, processed and preserved naturally

*

Ideal for less active dogs and for weight management

*

Allergy affected dogs will benefit from our single source, hypoallergenic, animal protein

*

Antioxidants - Vitamins A, C, E and Beta-Carotene are added to enhance the immune system and slow cell deterioration

*

Glucosamine - This nutrient occurs naturally in the joints of humans and animals. Guaranteed levels are added to this formula.

Ingredients:

Anchovy, Sardine & Salmon Meals, Oatmeal, Ground Brown Rice, Ground White Rice, Menhaden Fish Oil, Dried Beet Pulp, Flaxseed, Dried Egg Product, Carrots, Sun-Cured Alfalfa, Peas, Salt, Potassium Chloride, Quinoa (Organic), Apples, Blueberries, Inulin, Beta-Carotene, Cranberries, Dehydrated Kelp, Glucosamine Hydrochloride, Yucca Schidigera Extract, DL-Methionine, Vitamin A Acetate, Vitamin D3 Supplement, Vitamin E Supplement, Riboflavin Supplement, Vitamin B12 Supplement, d-Pantothenic Acid, Niacin Supplement, Choline Chloride, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Thiamine Mononitrate, Folic Acid, Ascorbic Acid, Biotin, Lecithin, Rosemary Extract, Inositol, Polysaccharide Complexes of Zinc, Iron, Manganese, Copper and Cobalt, Potassium Iodate, Sodium Selenite, Lactobacillus acidophilus Lactobacillus casei, Enterococcus faecium, B. subtillus, Bacillus licheniformis, Bacillus coagulins, Aspergillus oryzae, and Aspergillus niger.

[poodlefan]

There is a specialist veterinary eye vet/hospital in Parramatta ML. I don't know any more about it though.

[puggy_puggy]

It does sound like an allergy if her eyes, face and feet are all involved. Have you seen her pawing at her eyes with her feet? This could be how her whole face is becoming stained.

If it was just her eyes it may be entropion (eyelashes rolling in and causing irritation to the eyes).

She may benefit from some antihistamines. You may also need to use an elizabethan collar to break the cycle and the stop her feet licking.

There are many bulbs and wattles that are in bloom now I wonder if that could be what is causing the problem.

[MalteseLuna]

Her eyes/tear ducts were quite red/irritated so she has an eye ointment and if I want antihistamines. Vet reckons it's allergies (face, feet chewing etc) and probably related to all the blooming flowers (we live right near a heavily planted park).

Vet checked tear production and it's normal/fine.

Ears are good

puggypuggy she has been rubbing at her face a bit - I will try to keep her from doing this. Elizabethan collar is something I would like to avoid - don't like the idea of her home alone with it (and I work 9-5).

I guess I probably didn't notice it before as we lived in an apartment (14th floor) and now we are in a terrace house near a park

[puggy_puggy]

Glad that this vet was more helpful.

I probably would give the antihisamines a go if things don't improve.