Chihuahua Tear Staining and How To Remove It.

Tear Staining, The Cause and Correction

 Brown or pinkish brown streaks on the cheeks of dogs is a common sight.  When tears overflow from the eyes, they run down the face creating wetness that provides the perfect environment for bacterial growth.  As bacteria replicate they cause skin irritation and produce pigment that stains the hair brown or pinkish brown.  In dark-coated dogs this colour change is of little consequence, but in white furbaby's tear staining is obvious.

There are two causes of tear staining.  The first is tear-duct blockage.  In the normal canine eye, tears leave the eye via two small openings called “puncta”. One is in the upper eyelid and the other is in the lower eyelid.  Once through the puncta, tear fluid enters the tear duct that carries it to the nose.  This occurs in people as well, that’s why your nose drips when you cry.

Unperforated puncta can be surgically opened but success depends on the rest of the tear-duct system being intact.

Many tear-stained dogs have a subtle eversion (turning out) of the lower eyelid, which compresses the puncta, preventing normal tear drainage.  Surgical correction of the eyelids can reverse tears overflowing in these cases.

The second cause is excess tear production, too much volume for normal tear ducts to handle.  Any eyelid deformity that causes chronic eye irritation (rubbing on the eye surface) such as an inverted eyelid or extra eyelashes along the edge of the eyelid or fur from the dog’s body, stimulates increased tear production.  Many of these conditions are simply flushed out by themselves and when this does not happen, can be corrected surgically.

If you’ve ever seen a dog with red or brown marks in the areas around and just under the eyes, you’ve seen a dog that is suffering from Tear staining . The staining can matte around the dog’s eyes and leave a gooey, thick mess that is hard to clean. Most people assume that the stains are caused by excessive moisture from the dog’s eyes and that they’re just a fact of life. In fact though, tear stains have many different causes, and figuring out the root of the problem could end up saving you some work and also improve your dog’s life.

 Ear Infections

Tear staining can be linked back to ear infections, so it’s important to keep your dog’s ears as clean and dry as possible. If you notice that your dog is getting a lot of ear infections which also coincide with excessive tearing, the two are probably related. Use a good cleansing product to make sure the ears are clean and your dog’s tear stains might be reduced as a result.

Allergies

Dogs can experience reactions to thing just like humans, and tear staining can often be a reaction to allergens or irritants. In fact, some dogs will suffer reactions to their food which will change the pH level in your dog’s system which in turn can cause excessive tearing. If you notice that your dog’s Tear stains get worse in certain situations than it might be an environmental factor that is adding to the problem.

Blocked Tear Ducts

Some dogs are born with tear ducts that are closed which need to be surgically opened by a vet, but this isn’t the only way a duct can be blocked. At times, a dog can develop clogged tear ducts which can add to excessive tearing, and unfortunately, a trip to the vet will be needed to irrigate the ducts. Luckily, this isn’t a very common problem, but if you suspect clogged tear ducts, it should be taken care of, lest your dog suffer unnecessarily.

Red Yeast

One of the biggest causes of Tear Stains is from a dog having an excessive amount of tears. This high level of moisture can keep the hair around the face wet, which then becomes an area where bacteria can breed. One of the most common forms of this bacteria is called Red Yeast, which causes a yeast infection around the eyes and leads to the brownish-red stains that you sometimes see on dogs.

 Water

Some waters contain a high mineral content, which can cause staining on a dog’s entire face and beard. A lot of moisture can remain on the face trapped in the hairs after a dog drinks, which can be moved to eye level by the dog trying to lick his face clean. And, if the mineral content is high, it will increase the level of red-brown staining on a dog’s face. If you notice both tear stains and a discoloured beard, try switching your dog’s water to combat the problem. Red or brown Tear stains are not attractive to look at, and they can be a symptom of a larger problem. If your dog has excessive staining around they eyes and on its face, it might be worth looking into what the cause of the staining is.

Most furbaby owners of small light and white dogs take great pride in keeping their furbaby spotlessly clean. You can imagine then how frustrating it is to have to deal with those annoying tear stains below the eyes.

Tear stains can occur in any breed of dog, it’s just less obvious and therefore not as big a problem on dogs with darker coats. While the tears are initially clear, bacteria can grow on the moist hair, and that’s what’s responsible for making the stains the familiar red colour.

I’ll Cry If I Want To..

There are really only two causes of epiphora, which is the scientific word for tears spilling down the face. Firstly, it can be caused by excess tear production which doesn’t drain down the tear duct. This little duct goes from the inner eyelid to inside the nasal cavity, and carries excess tears away. That’s why when you cry, you usually get a runny nose too! The tear duct is narrow, and if there are too many tears being produced, it just can’t cope with them all, and the tears trickle down the face.

Weepy eyes often occur in dogs with allergies, infections or irritation due to dust. Some dogs have eyelashes growing in unusual places, such as inside the eyelid. These will rub on the eye and cause pain and increased tear production. A similar problem occurs in short nosed breeds such as British Bulldogs or Pugs – their short nose may result in the facial skin being pushed up towards the eyes, which can also lead to hair rubbing and irritation.

The second reason tear spillage occurs is because the tear duct is blocked, and doesn’t drain tears from the eyes. This is usually a conformation, or head shape, problem. Some breeds of dog such as the Bedlington Terrier or Lhasa Apso may be born without a tear duct opening in their eyelids, so the tears can’t drain at all. Other breeds have very prominent eyes, and this doesn’t leave much space for tears to collect and drain down the tear duct. This may happen in Chihuahuas, Pekingese and similar breeds. 

Why So Sad?

If your furbaby  has a chronic tear staining problem, it’s a good idea to have him checked by your veterinarian. You need to find out if there is an underlying medical problem. Hair rubbing on the eye is painful, and may lead to more serious conditions such as an ulcer on the cornea. Infections usually need a course of antibiotics to clear them up. Stray eyelashes and skin folds which cause hair to rub on the eyes may need corrective surgery. If your dog has any of these problems, you’ll probably notice other symptoms such as squinting, or rubbing at the eye with a paw.

If your furbaby has a blocked tear duct, sometimes flushing it can help. However, because the problem with the duct is usually related to the dog’s conformation, this doesn’t often improve the situation. 

Your only real option is to control the staining.

Dry Those Tears

Your first step is to keep the hair around the eyes trimmed nice and short. This helps the hair dry out quicker and slows the growth of any bacteria.

Some vets recommend using antibiotics to control the bacteria that cause the staining. This isn’t a good long term solution because you may end up with the bacteria becoming resistant to the antibiotic. 

There has been some suggestions that changing a dog’s diet can reduce tear staining. It’s not known if the change in diet has a direct effect on the staining, or whether the tear staining is secondary to a food allergy, and the dietary change reduces the symptoms of that allergy.

There are also many anecdotal cures, such as giving your dog demineralised water to drink, avoiding foods containing beet pulp, and adding buttermilk to the diet. None of these have been proven to consistently make any difference.

Chihuahuas experience problems with tear staining at the corners of the eyes. Tear stains typically manifest in the form of dark yellow or brown stains. Such stains are typically the result of some kind of eye irritation, which may be caused by long hair, ingrown eyelids or blocked tear drainage holes. If your Chihuahua shows signs of tear stains, try a home remedy to clean them. Once you have cleaned your dog's eyes, you can take a few simple steps to prevent the stains from coming back.  

 This is what I use and do, Items you will need.

Damp Cloth, Milk of Magnesia, Corn Starch Cotton Swabs Peroxide and Ophthalmic Ointment.

Check your Chihuahua's eyes to be sure there isn't anything stuck in it, causing irritation and tearing. If your furbaby's eyes are red and swollen, or if deformities are visible, take them  to see your vet immediately.

Step 2

Wipe the area around your Chihuahua's eyes gently with a damp cloth to remove any buildup of crust around the eyes and to soften the dried stains.

Step 3

Use a cotton swab dipped in warm water if your furbaby's eyes are particularly crusted and they need a bit of extra attention to clean. This is not uncommon when you haven't been maintaining the dog's eyes regularly. Avoid making contact with your Chihuahua's eyeball, and do not apply enough pressure with the swab to cause discomfort.

Step 4

Combine equal parts milk of magnesia and peroxide with enough corn starch to make a paste. Spread a small amount of the paste on the tear stains around your dog's eyes, working it into the fur.

Step 5

Let the milk of magnesia mixture dry for up to four hours, then wash it out completely and let your Chihuahua's fur dry. Apply a thin layer of opthalmic ointment to the area around your dog's eyes after washing out the milk of magnesia mixture, to prevent irritation.

Step 6

Repeat the milk of magnesia treatment every other day for one week or until the tear stains have lifted.

Step 7

Trim the fur around your dog's eyes using a pair of blunt-nose scissors. Fur growing too close to the eye is one of the most common causes of tear stains, so trimming the fur should help prevent irritation and thus future stains from forming.

Step 8

Consult your veterinarian if excessive tear stains persist. This is what I do for Miss Mildred and it does work, But like I have said if you think there might be a problem with your fur baby's eyes and tear staining take them to the furbaby doctor and have them checked over, Because they might have a tear ducts that are blocked or maybe eye lashes causing problems.

 

  Miss Mildred and myself Miss Squeak really hope this information has helped you understand tear stains and why they can occur and what you can do to keep them at bay the trick I use works well for Miss Mildred and her fur brother 

Sir George, I also put white vinegar in the water that they drink as it helps balance the ph level in the water and another thing I use a stainless steel water bowl as I was using a red plastic bowl and was told by Miss Mildred's Furbaby Doctor that the dye might leach out in to the water hence adding to the red stain on her face, So once again I hope my blog as helped you a little more in understanding why this happens and what you can do to prevent it from getting to bad.

Please Remember to Like Comment Share and +1

Thanks So Much For Reading My Blog

Chihuahua Tear Staining and How To Remove It.

If you have any other suggestions on how to remove the tear staining let Miss Mildred and I know in the comments below so we can share this information with other furbaby Mums and Dads, Once again Thankyou for reading and we will see you back here on our next blog, 

Sending Love, Laughter and Light to you all.

 xx Miss Squeak and Miss Mildred xx

Miss Squeak Talks Miss Mildreds Weekend !

 Hello to everyone that has come to have a little read about a day in Miss Mildred life like today ! 

Well just like everyday this little girl wakes up between me Miss Squeak and her daddy Monsterface along with her brother 

George Wobble. The day starts with me running down stairs with the little Miss Mildred in my arms because if she is let on to the floor she will wee yup I know its the curse of the small chihuahua bladder its not her fault if  she has an accident  its just something we have to deal with and the solution is I run down the stairs with her in my arms nearly falling down them at times but its the answer to not having the little girl wee on the floor or carpet so after we have gone outside for a wee wee. Its back upstairs with a nice cuppa tea for the Monster and a big cuddle. Then after I have a shower get my hair washed and dried off we go downstairs and Monster makes some yummie breakfast for us then its a little play on the couch and then its time for a bath. I try to bath Miss Mildred every 2 weeks but if she is extra stinky it might be once a week ! This weekend 

Miss Mildred got to have a video shoot with her daddy and fur brother for

 The Oompah Roundabout youtube channel !

I also did some picture shooting as well and yay some of them came out kinda well, Like the first photo on my blog it was taken today and I think she looks just beautiful. So what do you like to do with your furbabys every day do you have a set routine that you do ? Everyday Miss Mildred has lunch at around 1pm everyday and gee if we don't feed the furbabys at this time all hell breaks out with the barking in the kitchen and the crazy running around the house its strange how they become use to the something everyday its just like habits ! 

Along with if you put on your walking shoes my furbabys get excited as they think they are going walking so this is some bad habits I am trying to train out of them. What problems have you had with your furbabys ? Miss Mildred and I would love to hear about them ! Just a short Blog on Miss Mildred this time, Oh Sebastian is feeling much better with himself and is up on his paws again its still touch and go but he is much much better and I couldn't be happier ! Another thing we are about to change is the food we feed our furbabys as they are starting to not eat it so we are going to start cooking for them again then we can regulate the stuff thats in it so wish us luck with the new project have a wonderful day !!

  Thanks so very much of your support 

and for reading my blog 

Miss Squeaks Talks Miss Mildreds Weekend 

please remember to 

Like Share +1 and Comment

  

Miss Squeak and Miss Mildred xx

Miss Squeaks Grooming A Longhaired Furbaby !

 This is Sebastion aka The Bling Bling furbaby we love him very much and he is getting older at 12 and he is a shitzu and has some problems as you can see his eyes in the picture he has a condition that stops his eyes from getting lucubration so they dry out and get all mucky from the oil eye drops he has to have but as he is a 

long-haired furbaby he has a long maintenance,

Keeping your long-haired furbaby well groomed  is incredibly necessary, since matted and tangled coats will cause odours, depression and even infections. With a little ability and a couple of basic skills, you'll be able to groom your long-haired furbaby at home and save many bucks in grooming fees annually. I have four very furry furbabys that I groom every six to eight weeks. But I have one furbaby called Sebastion the shitzu in the picture above that just won't allow me to go anywhere near him with the clipper anymore even the lady whome would clip him at her grooming salon woulnt do him and more because as he has gotten older her has had a few run in's with the vet and had to have a hip replacement  a knee operation and half a ear cut off because of cancer. I know he is very very loved and we call him the Bling Bling furbaby as we have spent a lot of money on him but what I was leading to was now our little old man river has to go to the vet to and be put to sleep just for a haircut and when he is under sedation he will still try and nip the nurse that is giving him the much needed haircut so that is just why I am using his picture for my blog today. I also clip four other furbabys when I feel that they  need it mostly every 4 weeks in the summer months and 7 weeks in winter months I enjoy doing them and most of the time they are wonderful to do , But lets talk about grooming now.

Start with the ears

Use a small pin brush to brush the soft hair behind the ears. Then, use the same brush to comb the chest, armpit areas, tail and thighs. This part of dog grooming can be enjoyable for both you and your pet, as long as you are gentle.

Use a rake to thin the undercoat

This is a device that trims away some of the excess thick hair, leaving your dog's coat smoother and silkier. Not all breed associations recommend this, so make sure you consult the breed standards if you plan on showing your dog.

Clean up that face

Start with the eyes because they are the most sensitive. Use a moist cloth to wipe any discharge from the corners of the eye. Then, use the cloth to gently clean out the nostrils and the ears. Use small mustache scissors to trim the hairs inside the ears, but leave enough hair behind to protect the inner ear.

Start a bath

Choose a creamy shampoo that is made specially for long haired dogs. Wet your dog from the head and down towards the tail. Use your hands to be sure the water gets worked down to the skin, and then add the shampoo. Try to smooth the hair in one direction as you lather, rather than rubbing in circles, which forms tangles. Then, rinse your dog thoroughly, using your hand to protect the face and eyes from the runoff rinse water.

Apply conditioner

Use a high quality conditioner and smooth it into your dog's coat, once again avoiding circular rubbing motions. Let the conditioner sit for about five minutes before you rinse the coat.

Cut the stray hairs

Once your dog's coat has dried, use grooming scissors to trim the long hairs between the toes and at the ankles. Depending on the breed of dog and the amount of leg feathering, this may take a few minutes or an hour. Aim for straight feathers on the back of the legs.

Trim the tail

If this is the first time you are grooming a long-haired dog, this may be the hardest step. You want the hair that hangs from the tail to form a D-shape when you are finished. The easiest way to accomplish this is to hold the tail level with your dog's back, and then trim the hanging feathers with grooming shears. Ruffle the hair a bit, and then hold the tail and trim again. This helps you to trim any hairs you missed during the first round.

Grooming dogs with long hair is not very difficult once you get the hang of it. Remember to start by checking your breed's standards for grooming regulations if you plan on showing your dog. If you take your time and remember to be gentle, grooming can be a great bonding experience for you and your dog.

Sebastion will allow me to bath him so here is a picture below of him enjoying a bath !

 Thanks very much for reading 

Miss Squeaks Grooming A Longhaired Furbaby

Please like +1 share and comment 

Hope too see you back here soon 

Miss Squeak And Miss Mildred xx

Miss Mildred with some of her furfamily in the picture we have Sebastion Miss Mildred Sabrina and Sir Odin, Once again thank you for reading.

Miss Squeaks Tips For Grooming Your Furbaby .

    Not everyone thinks about the need to groom their new furbaby as we all get very excited just to bring our new member home to play with and to love . We remember to have everything ready for the new furbaby like the bed , bowl , food , toys , leash , yet we some times forget about the washing and grooming of our new little bundle of happiness and joy . So today I though I  would talk about a few grooming tips that i use on my furbabys as I have Miss Mildred and she is a smooth coated chihuahua and  is very easy to groom but on the other hand I also have a few other furbabys that I do groom every six weeks and they are all long coated maltese -shihtzu  and a pure shihtzu I love them all but having to clip and bath them all the time can sometimes get a bit much . Thats is why i did not get a pomeranian  puppy as it would be another little furry puppy to clip and brush out every day . So we got our little Miss Mildred and all she needs is a bath a comb and cleaning of her little ears and eyes simple . But enough about that lets talk about some tips to help you out .  Hope you find some helpful tips and hints . 

Groom your pet often – it’s an excellent way to check over your pet to see that they are in tip top condition.  Check their eyes and ears; and run your hands over their body feeling for any cuts, lumps or bumps that shouldn’t be there.  If you know what's “normal” you'll simply spot one thing once it’s wrong.  Ear & Eye Wipes are an excellent approach of cleansing your pet’s delicate facial features

Make sure your pet is calm before you start grooming – handling your pet often can help make them more accepting to being brushed.  Keep your grooming sessions very little and often at the start till you each get more used to them.

Moulting pets will mean a furry house!  Use a rake brush to get rid of massive  amount of dead hair and make both your house and your pet additional comfortable!

When removing fleas, stand your pet on white paper therefore you'll see the fleas and eggs that you are grooming out. Fine toothed flea Combs are available in totally different sizes to suit you and your pet.

If your pet has knots or tangles, gently comb through the surrounding hair so the knot is isolated.  Then use a  De-matting product to softly go across the matt this is much less nerve-racking than tugging at your pet’s coat which might hurt and worry them about future grooming sessions.  

Note – don’t wet the knot as this can build it tighter.

Cutting your pet’s nails is a frightening task.  Trim a little bit off at a time, taking care to not remove the quick (the darker section of the nail) as this can bleed.  Nail Clipper has a guide to assist prevent you pruning too much.

If your Furbaby  is new – be it a puppy or a older rescue pet, introduce grooming step by step using a glove product. This will fashion your pet to get used to grooming because it replicates your usual stroke action that helps to calm anxious pets.

If your pet has sensitive skin, opt for a product with mild soaps or oatmeal  so that you don’t accidentally scratch your pet. additionally use shampoos, sprays and wipes that are designed for pets with sensitive skin.  The Sensitive Skin Shampoo are ideal for more delicate pets. I had to get so many different types of shampoo until i found the right one for my furbabys as a lot of them seamed to just make it worst hence the using of oatmeal shampoo it has hands down don the best job for my furbabys .

If you're unsure that grooming product is best for your pet, think about what issues you would like to solve. Does your pet moult plenty or have a really thick coat?  Is your pet vulnerable to knots and tangles? Or maybe your pet is simply a bit generally untidy?  Most product are categorised by problem, making it very easy for you.  Whether or not you only want a brush or something more specific like an undercoat rake. Find having a pair of children's round ended scissors are the best for trimming around the eye area and between the toes too .

When grooming your pet, use mild strokes applying constant pressure that you would when brushing your own hair. This can help make grooming a more   pleasurable and relaxing time for each of you.

So once again I hope some of this has helped you out in the grooming of your furbaby ! Thanks for reading Miss Squeaks Tips For Grooming Your Furbaby have a great day .

    Thankyou for Reading                                                        Miss Squeak  and Miss Mildred