Need some advice at the end of my rope

[Sunshine]

I have a tea cup poodle she just turned 1yr old she has some bad tear staining took her to the vet there no sign of infection, she does constantly scratch behind her ears and bits at her hind paws. I had changed her to the new Inova she's on her 6th bag now and showing worse tear staining. What i would like to know could it be the protein is to hi for her could that be a possiablity if so could someone suggest some other brand with of dog food that has no grains or rice.

Thanking you inadvance

[nern]

Another member here switched from Innova to Natural Balance and said that it helped a lot with the tear staining on her miniature poodle. If she sees your message I'm sure she will give you some input.

[layla]

I have heard that beet pulp is the offender in tear staining. Natural balance doesn't contain it and I have also heard that it helps. I have always used it and don't have that problem.

[puttin510]

That would be me. We used Innova for a few years, and while it helped cure some problems, tearing occured. We stopped the innova and started Natural Balance and it stopped. Also, with her ears, she could have mites. Check out this product, I use it always.
http://www.championpetsonline.co.uk/popup.cfm?p_n=35246&p_i=35246
Hears a page on ears.
http://www.championpets.freeserve.co.uk/ears.htm

I've used this product with much success, I know others have too. Does your poodle have brown wax in her ears?

[Sunshine]

Thank you so much for all your help i really appreciate it, and no she doesnt have any signs of discharge in her ears but i contacted the breeder and she also adviced me to get some Ear Mite solotion that she might have mits but like i told her the ears are clean but going to try it anyway just to be safe. Dont want any costly VET bills that arent neccesary lol.

Also went to the pet food store to get her some new food and the lady there convienced me to try Welleness food with her she tends to believe its a better food then the Natural Balance.

What is your opinion on this puttin510.

Also what did you clean there face with for the tear staining as i have tried everything on the market and nothing has worked she is white she is only 4 pounds she's a good girl.

[DeLaUK]

Just a little info for you sunshine, not a criticism. Ear mites will make the ears very itchy, you'll see very dark/black crusty gunk in the ears, different than the average bacterial or yeast infection and the mites are easily seen under a microscope, the diagnosis through the vets is probably less costly than a yearly exam and the vaccines.
If a dog has an ear infection and/or any raw spots in there but not mites the most ear mite medications will sting and wont be the right medication to treat the ear infection.
Personally I wont medicate a pet unless there is something to medicate.

[Sunshine]

Thank you for your advice and information DeLaUK i just spoke to her vet he doesnt seem to think its mits either so im just going to leave her alone he thinks that due to her tear staining that got worse she just might have Alergies so thats why ive changed her food today to Wellness. Her ears are very pink inside and no signs of dirt in there at all and no odors either that i can smell if there was a sign of average bacterial or yeast infection wouldnt there be an odor to the ear ?

[puttin510]

The powder is not prescription. And it is a preventative for the yeast bacteria and mites. If you see any redness or discharge have the vet look at it. Or any smell coming from the ears. Also, my older poodle starts to stick her toes in her ear to give a little sratch, right about time when I need to plcuk her ears. Make sure you keep the ear canal clear of any excess hair.
I have heard many a people say good things about wellness, I've not tried it. Go ahead and if your poo does good on it, then stick to it.

[Shineillusion]

As a groomer, I run into this question all the time. The stains are usually the result of overgrowth of red yeast. The yeast, like all yeasts, likes to grow in moist, warm environments. Excessive tearing, for whatever reason, provides the perfect environment.

The solution is first to identify and eliminate the cause of the excessive tearing. This could be food or inhaled allergies, blocked tear ducts that drain the tears from the eye, evem fleas. Changing foods can help. So can eliminating household fragrences like Fabreeze, air fresheners, and carpet freshening products.

Next, you attack the yeast overgrowth. First, I'd go for a natural approach to this. Switch the dog to bottled water, and add a teaspoon of white vinegar or lemon juice to alter the pH of the tears. Wipe the area frequently with a mixture of vinegar or lemon juice and water. Dry the area and apply a dab or petroleum jelly or mineral oil. Just a dab, mind you. You don't want her face to be greasey.

Some breeders swear by using Tums antacid. It's worth a try. Ask your vet for a safe dossage for the size of your dog.

Now, the most common recipe for bleaching the stains. Mix equal parts Milk of Magnesia and 20 volume peroxide, then mix in enough corn starch to make a paste. Apply this and allow it to dry overnight. It's a good idea to apply a drop of ophthamolic mineral oil (available at drug stores) or eye shield (from your pet store) to each eye before you apply the bleaching paste. Rinse it off, and apply a good quality doggy conditioner, as this will dry the coat out conciderably. If the stains are really bad, you may have to bleach them several times to get them removed.

If all else fails, your vet can prescribe oral medications that will control the yeast. But that's a last ditch effort, IMO, and some vet's are not too keen on it.

[puttin510]

Hi Sunshine, I am not allowed to use the private message thing the reply. Long story. I would love to see her picture. You can post it here. I have two poodles did I tell you that. Let me see, I will show you a resent one,