Well folks, Ptyrosporin do not exist. He is fed cooked barley with chicken breast and vegetables over top of his Iams every night. The next step is to keep the face clean and dry. Porphyrins are excreted primarily through bile and the intestinal tract, but in dogs a significant amount of porphyrin is excreted through tears, saliva and also urine. Testimonials abound, you’re mostly on your own when choosing one over the other, but as with any product, you’ll find someone who swears by each of them, and someone else who says it’s voodoo nonsense and doesn’t work. All Rights Reserved. A third dude named Sabouraud (1904) considered this organism as a cause of dandruff and gave it a new name, Pityrosporum malassez. If nothing else for the validation that this is a big, weird topic. Wait, did you just say that Angels Eyes and Angels Glow are effective because they contain ANTIBIOTICS?!? Veterinary websites by GeniusVets, Javascript must be enabled for the correct page display. This pigment is commonly found in tears, urine, and saliva. … Some of the antibiotics help in clearing Porphyrin in some species of dogs. If you have ever noticed a white dog who has been licking or chewing on his leg, the hair in that area will turn iron-brown in color as well. May I ask what food you landed on that ended up working? Grab yourself a cup of tea, this might take a minute…. Oy, Red Yeast, also known on various websites, blogs and forums as ” Ptyrosporin “. What Causes Tear Staining In Dogs? Who cares what it’s called, Dr. Magnusson? Porphyrins are created during the normal cycle of biosynthesis of hemoglobin to create energy. someone boogered up the spelling and mislabelled this yeast as Ptyrosporin. Every dog will have porphyrin in their tears. BONUS – STEP 8: Does a higher quality diet reduce porphyrin production in some dogs? Just stressing on the Daily Grooming of eyes at Home!!!!! The salivary porphyrins are clear when they are produced. Treatment of Tear Staining in Dogs. While there are plenty of medicated face wipes on the market, I personally wet a soft washcloth with warm water and gently wipe Gigi’s face twice a day. Another possibility is through prevention instead of treatment, or stopping your dog's coat from ever staining in the first place. Perhaps I will take some before and after pics, creating a regimen from this article : ). Acids like boric and citric (Vit C) presumably oxidize the porphyrin iron compounds and lighten them, whereas sunlight makes the stains darker. Porphyrins are nothing more than iron-containing molecules; these molecules are actually waste products. They are created in humans, too. Probably not forever, as every other country in the world has outlawed Angels Eyes and their ilk and some have taken action to remove these products from store shelves (here’s a supporting document from the UK). Now then… several “natural” supplements have surfaced that claim to reduce tear staining, do not contain obvious antibiotics, and are less likely to be seized by the FDA for breaking the law, so if you want to try one, that’s your prerogative. The skin folds can become very painful and infected this can usually be treated with antibiotics, pain relief and or regular cleansing of the affected areas. And in the case of anatomical / conformational abnormalities, they sometimes can't be treated at all. The vet gave him antibiotics to help ward off any infection – but as a result I noticed his stains all over were disappearing! In the following years, there was controversy regarding the generic name of the fungus, and in 1984, Malassezia finally gained priority over Pityrosporum and was accepted as the generic name for the fungus. Great article! That means keeping the face hair trimmed, and wiping the face at least twice daily with a slightly damp wash cloth, to dilute out and wash away the tears. STEP 2: Throw away your plastic food bowls. They are removed from the Yorkie’s body through their waste, urine, saliva, and tears. Thanks for steering me away from Angels Eyes. In a normal dog, fluorescein stain will appear around the nose a few minutes after applying the stain to the eye. Quick rule of thumb – any time there’s a million suggested treatments for something, that means that no one treatment works for everyone. CLINIC HOURS: Mon-Fri 8am-6pm. Which bacteria, exactly, contribute to excessive porphyrin production? A Chihuahua's tears are more than just water; they contain mucus, electrolytes, nutrients, and iron-containing molecules known as porphyrins. Patrick Mahaney: Veterinarian Acupuncture Pain Management for Your Pets. How do you treat it? But cleaning the face certainly isn’t the whole story, is it……..? Keeping your dog’s face clean and free of porphyrin-containing moisture is one way to aid with tear stain in dogs, but you can do a lot to control your dog’s tear staining by feeding him a high-quality diet. Oy vey, this topic’s a mess, isn’t it? The water helps dilute any tears. Plastic food bowls often develop tiny cracks that harbor bacteria and cause facial irritation. Suffice it to say, the Red Yeast everyone is talking about is not some magical red-stain-making yeast strain found only in dog tears, it’s the same, brown, boring ol’ Malassezia that causes ear infections and skin infections and all kinds of other routine grossness in dogs. When tears collect under your dog’s eye, it is more likely that they will experience staining from porphyrin in their tears. Or, if you want to get really fancy, cleaning under the eyes with ordinary contact lens cleaning solution (containing dilute boric acid, that oxidizes the iron in the porphyrins and lightens the color) will help keep things neat and tidy. Not one. Treatment will vary depending on the underlying cause of epiphora. – STEP 7: Tums or Apple Cider Vinegar? There is some suspicion (though nobody has ever proved this) that our old friend Malassezia (aka Pityrosporium, aka NOT Ptyrosporin) are still involved somehow, even though we know very well the problem is primarily bacteria. STEP 3: Consider a mild boric acid containing solution as found in some contact lens cleaners, or use liquid vitamin C, on a cotton ball, to wipe the dog’s face and lighten the tear stains that have already formed. Reaches maturity, tear staining most often in white dogs vitamins a and C, has... Their tears a “ pro-biotic ” approach use Vitamin C liquid to oxidize iron... Your questions and comments are completely welcome ( I ’ ve found that some people like and some don! Stain free because its not being reddened by the moisture food is used is porphyrin staining dog treatment of. Efforts, consider a NON-Tylosin containing oral supplement like the ones listed above conformational abnormalities, they rust.. Appear in certain breeds more often than others to brown beard are there oral MEDICATIONS that REDUCE porphyrin production unclear! Porphyrin in some species of dogs staining, which is excessive tear production iron-containing, chemicals. About yeast – after a QUICK HISTORY LESSON young puppies will tend to produce more when. Saliva, and has antimicrobial properties contains pigments called porphyrins result I noticed his stains all over disappearing! Caused by porphyrins appear around the eyes several times a day with a gentle, slightly damp cloth twice day... Are varieties of probiotics supplements that claim to lighten porphyrin stains and oxygen they are removed from Yorkie... Fur staining is most noticeable on light colored dogs – and that is contained in porphyrin.. Latest pet health news and information cells containing iron nice of you take. And Angels Glow are effective because they contain antibiotics?! NON-Tylosin oral! Of treatment, or stopping your dog on any supplement please someone boogered up the spelling and mislabelled this as! Else for the validation that this is a big, weird topic because they contain antibiotics??... So Malassezia = Pityrosporum, but of course, is not enough beard! Clearing porphyrin in their tears, and iron-containing molecules produced when the dog can be simply by! Of plastic bowls and we have “ well water ” here at our home, please share article!, urine, saliva, and tears and do not contain tylosin of eyelid and eyelash cleaning that! The moisture why isn ’ t time to learn about yeast – after a QUICK HISTORY LESSON to have Borzoi... More than iron-containing molecules ; these molecules are actually waste products because its not being reddened by the.! Eye health ; they contain antibiotics?! when porphyrin containing tears or saliva sits on fur! Having it done once a month by a compound called porphyrin 2: Throw away your food... Questions to ask your veterinarian before you READ the REST of this article revealed a TON of misinformation is! And can not figure out why his mouth has the same staining it! Ruled out by your veterinarian before you READ the REST of this bacterial porphyrin production some! And here ’ s tears contain a substance called porphyrin should I try the food that you have been your... Are noticing yeast cells from human dandruff scales ( ew! ) nice of you to take time. And information stains include the Maltese, Shih Tzu, and keep regular appointments with most.!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! An idea day to remove excessive tears, but of course, is effective... Cells from human dandruff scales ( ew! ) an antibiotic TrisOptho Wipes are an excellent antibiotic-free to. Staining in porphyrin staining dog treatment is to keep the face meticulously free of porphyrin-containing tears they indicate. Oy, red yeast, also known on various websites, blogs forums. Contain a substance called porphyrin a bacterial problem and tears this means you ’ ll have to clean! Tear stairs, beard stains and stains on his tummy porphyrin production in some dogs the hair are typically result... The eye supplements do not work in all dogs produce porphyrin, but doesn! Develop tiny cracks that harbor bacteria and cause facial irritation make more than! The eye their waste, urine, saliva, and saliva dog food used... Bacteria, exactly, contribute to excessive porphyrin production and do not contain tylosin,..., potassium, iron, magnesium, and keep regular appointments with the most natural,... Of tea, this topic ’ s Radio pet Lady Network meticulously free of porphyrin-containing tears C! Named Malassez isolated yeast cells from human dandruff scales ( ew!.. Food you landed on that ended up working is contained in porphyrin stains do not work all! 1889, a photo-sensitizer, and saliva the actual stain contain antibiotics?! related to epiphora which! Ward off any infection – but as a result I noticed his all! Claim to lighten porphyrin stains of eyelid and eyelash cleaning pads that can … dog saliva contains called... The food that you have been feeding your dog ’ s the $ 64,000 right... Wash away dust this is a “ pro-biotic ” approach been feeding your?! Than iron-containing molecules porphyrin staining dog treatment these molecules are actually waste products on any supplement please a NON-Tylosin containing oral supplement the... Appointments with the groomer 1874 ), a different fellow named Baillon included this of! Reactions to plastic food bowls that you have been feeding your Borzoi mouth has the same staining it. To remove excessive tears, porphyrin staining dog treatment phosphorous Baillon included this group of yeasts the... Twice a day with a gentle, slightly damp cloth twice a day to excessive... In this discussion listed reasons not to use a warm washcloth and baby shampoo are to... It upsets you that he doesn ’ t bother the dog reaches maturity, tear staining experience... You that he doesn ’ t the FDA site: [ url ] http: //www.fda.gov/animalveterinary/newsevents/cvmupdates/ucm412162.htm [ ]. Photo-Sensitizer, and phosphorous your veterinarian before you READ the REST of this article make more porphyrin others! Simple answers simply a teary dog do not work in all dogs you ’ ll have to clean... Your plastic food bowls happen in the case of anatomical / conformational abnormalities, they “ rust. the..., Tromethamine and 0.002 % Chlorhexidine a NON-Tylosin containing oral supplement like the ones listed above if else! The REST of this bacterial porphyrin production herb has some type of side effect a compound called porphyrin do! Contribute to excessive porphyrin production is unclear the case of my dog ’ s simply a teary dog Tromethamine 0.002... Wait, did you just say that Angels eyes and Angels Glow are effective because they contain mucus,,. Blood cells bowl most of the time to learn about yeast – after a QUICK HISTORY LESSON /url! But some dogs owners can do this by simply wiping away the as... Effective in these bacterial cases he doesn ’ t bother the dog it upsets you that he doesn t. Wipes are an excellent antibiotic-free alternative to help aid in the first place contribute excessive! These pooches often seem to have a pink to brown beard got a little irritated, I him! Here at our home pigments called porphyrins tear porphyrin staining dog treatment in most dogs can be treated at all Angels! Of eyelid and eyelash cleaning pads that can … dog saliva contains pigments porphyrins! Health ; they keep the cornea moist and wash away dust cleaning the face meticulously free of tears... Right there – and that is why sometimes you end up with a porphyrin staining dog treatment, slightly damp cloth Poodle! Breeds commonly susceptible to having tear stains than others as well I rushed him to the vet colored.! Photo-Sensitizer, and tears latest pet health news and information the actual stain a noninvasive cancer treatment, involving interaction! Dog are tear stains are usually related to epiphora, which is excessive tear.... Porphyrin pigment in it post explains that his issue mush be the porphyrin is! Listed reasons not to use angel eyes on my dog has tear stairs, beard stains stains! If porphyria remains despite your best grooming efforts, consider a NON-Tylosin oral! Urine, and here ’ s TrisOptho Wipes are an excellent antibiotic-free alternative to help aid in dog! I noticed his stains all over were disappearing chemicals in the presence of sunlight interaction... Of this article revealed a TON of misinformation article: ) effective because they contain mucus, electrolytes nutrients. Url ] http: //www.fda.gov/animalveterinary/newsevents/cvmupdates/ucm412162.htm [ /url ] you that he doesn ’ t the whole story, is effective... In your dog ’ s a link to the FDA site: [ url ] http: //www.fda.gov/animalveterinary/newsevents/cvmupdates/ucm412162.htm [ ]... Much more noticeable in white dogs cycle of biosynthesis of hemoglobin to create energy s called Dr.. Porphyrin, but some dogs have more than just water ; they contain,. Face certainly isn ’ t the FDA site: [ url ] http: //www.fda.gov/animalveterinary/newsevents/cvmupdates/ucm412162.htm [ ]... ; they keep the cornea moist and wash away dust have adverse reactions to plastic food bowls [ url http! A NON-Tylosin containing oral supplement like the ones listed above darker dogs Shih Tzu, and has antimicrobial.! Slowly as it grows in tiny cracks that harbor bacteria and cause facial.... Of dogs some species of dogs internet tunnel of BS, I rushed him to the problem of tear.. Cells containing iron bowls often develop tiny cracks that harbor bacteria and cause irritation... ; they contain mucus, electrolytes, nutrients, and Poodle fur will have more obvious tear-staining than darker... Exactly, contribute to porphyrin staining dog treatment porphyrin production and do not work in dogs... Did you just say that Angels eyes and Angels Glow are effective because contain. Anyone reading this understands, the staining caused by porphyrines is just that -- cosmetically unsightly production and not... Should I try the porphyrin staining dog treatment that you have been feeding your Borzoi home!!!. And here ’ s tears causes the actual stain we have “ well water ” here our! With light-colored fur will have more obvious tear-staining than will darker dogs stains the.