Red fur..

[Coopersmom (Erica)]

  But, I just wanted to share my experience with Cooper's "red fur."  When we first got him, his tear staining was really bad and he was constantly licking his paws.  We had kept him on the food that the breeder had recommended...and the Vet told us this was a good food.  (I didn't know what was causing the coloring, but I knew I didn't like it.)  When I asked the Vet about the tear staining, she told me it was normal and that I would just have to get used to it.  (seriously!?!)

He was also throwing up a lot. He has a very sensitive stomach...we took him to the vet several times and had all sorts of tests done.  Finally after several trips, hundreds of dollars, and doing my own research, I put Cooper on Innova Evo.  Within a week he had stopped throwing up all the time, but more importantly...I noticed he didn't chew at his paws anymore, and all of his tearstains were gone.  (I recently switched him to Orijen because Evo became to rich as he was growing.  Orijen is working very well for his primary food)

After Cooper got neutered and he was given the anesthesia and the pain medicine he got his tearstains back Immediately...Crazy right!?!  Now, I'm even more convinced that this is caused by what goes in.  They took about 3 weeks to go away again.

I don't want to sound like I'm against going to the Vet, but we spent a ton of $$$ at the beginning, and we didn't get any help.  Our Vet still tries to get him to eat Science Diet (which they sell there, and I don't approve of the ingredients for Cooper) even though he's doing great on his food now.  My advice would be to do a lot of your own research...try food, water, and treats first as the others have reccomended...

Cooper and I hope the Best for you!!!     Please keep us posted 

[MamaMia]

Yeah i know, ive left a bunch of money with the vet too .. I should be spending that money on a new stroller and car seat!!*sighs* I cancelled his next appt to do more research on my own, when it comes to what goes IN im not really sure, he never throws up, he's been on the same feed since we got him and he was fine as a puppy and young adult until last year so could it really be the food?? Ive talked to others about our vet and it seems she's often clueless, but heres a ton of bichon owners here and she must know the money that lies in these tear stains.. Us owners will do anything!! (Yes shes a &%# too) but i will try changing food if she doesnt come up with a satisfying answer next time!!

[Lizzie]

Mia  lets try this doing baby steps. First don't cut away too much hair from Cesar's eyes otherwise you will only end up staining his skin.  Wash and dry his eyes daily.  You can put some Vaseline (petroleum jelly)  over the stain to give a bit of protection.  Try the distilled water first although I would imagine that your water would be purer than ours and see how it goes.  Do this for a week or so and let us know the results. 

[piggle]

hi im new hr and not sr im using this thr rite way, but i just wanted to reply to your post as my  bichon had really bad stains on eyes, ive changed his water i give him boiled kettle water once cooled, i also aply vaseline round his eyes each day, ive been doing this for a few weeks and its defo helped and most ov the stains have now grown out .  

[Alison]

Hi Piggle,welcome.We'd love to hear all about you.If you go to the introductions section you can tell us all about you and your Bichon.Alison

[MattiesMom (MaryEllen)]

I'm convinced more than ever that the tear staining, etc.  is caused internally in the gut/digestive system.  So, what goes in most certainly affects it.  Try the distilled water.  Reduce the ingredients in the dogfood to just a few simple ones.  Add digestive enzymes and a probiotic.  Some high quality dogfoods add these, but not to the level you probably need.  I add them supplementally.  Here is a link to the ones I use:
http://www.onlynaturalpet.com/products/Only-Natural-Pet-Probiotic-Blend/999168.aspx
http://www.onlynaturalpet.com/products/Prozyme/228000.aspx
Also, see this link here in BCA.  Some of us have been trying Greek yogurt with some success.
http://bichon.ca/forum/index.php/topic,16174.0.html
Tear staining has been a battle for me with Mattie!  She started out with extreme staining.  With experimentation I have found what works for us.  I hope this helps you.  Best wishes, MaryEllen

[Maxiegirl (Amber)]

Maxie had horrible stains for the longest time.  I would constantly ask our former vet if there was anything I could do to clear it up/what caused it/etc and she would always tell me "there's nothing you can do, some dogs just have it."  I didn't buy it. 

We later switched Maxie's food due to digestive problems and her tear staining disappeared completely.  I haven't determined exactly what was in the prior food that caused it (admittedly, I haven't looked very hard, it probably wouldn't be that hard to narrow down), but I know the change in diet is what cleared her up.  So, I agree totally with the others...it's about what is going in.

Maxie did distilled water for the entire time she was stained, and it never helped (most likely because there was another contributing factor).  Now, she drinks regular water and is still 100% clear of stains.  It's nice to see my girl's white face again!

[furby]

yes i totally agree with the food ethos, i,m a groomer and i only sell 2 types of food in my shop, burns and arden grange, both are hypoallergenic, there is so much rubbish and artificial dye in commercial dod food etc that it is no wonder our dogs are suffering with staining, just a few suggestions try a good quality hypoallergenic dog food, use bottled water, probiotic yogurt added to food, use stainless steel bowls too as they do not harbour bacteria, don,t give any treats with wheat in and make sure ears are healthy. hope this helps

[MamaMia]

WELL, we've had our LAST vet visit to that awful woman regarding these tear stains. NOTHING is working. She drugs him, opens the tear-ducts and sends us off with the same medicatin as last time, i mean, are you joking?! She's a fan of the "thats just how bichons are" too.. He did have a quality feed to begin with and he was fine we've never changed but now we're in the process of doing that anyway just to see.. Altho im positive thats not the problem.. Our water here in Norway is fine too, Done drops every night, trimming the hair and vaseline. im so desperate, the whole dog has changed, hes obsessed with his paws and clearly in distress about the eyes, and less social! Cant imagine having my eyes run and being clogged and yucky 24/7! Anyway we're driving out of town to get a second opinion..