I have 2 Shih Tsu Puppies 17 weeks old, that are shedding red tears. What causes this and what products are available to get rid of them?

[Lara's mom]

Red tears? I've never heard of that but, there are a lot of people here who know a great deal more than I do. I'm sure one of them will be able to give you an answer.

You must be talking about tear stains (the reddish brown stains around some dogs eyes) Diet can help control this... what do you feed?

There is also a product called "Angel Eyes" that many of my clients use and have a lot of success with.

[Corky/Max]

Looked up in my vet book---Can't believe how many different eye problems there are--35 pages here! In reading the whole chapter--I had come to the same conclusion as Orange dog mentioned above. Will quote what I found: POODLE EYE (What it is called)--This problem, in which brown stains appear at the corner of the eye, is common to several toy breeds including Poodles, Lhasa Apsos, Maltese, Pomeranians, Pekingese and other small breeds.
---The exact cause of tear overflow in these breeds is unknown. One theory is that susceptible breeds have a pooling space that is too small to collect a lake of tears. Tears contain chemicals that react with light to produce reddish-brown stains. The staining will be more apparent in dogs whose haircolor is light colored or white.
TREATMENT: Poodle eye often improves when the dog is given a course of tetracycline, which is secreted in the tears and binds the photochemicals that cause the staining. The face remains wet, but is not discolored. Tetracycline is given orally for 3 wks. If the staining returns after the antibiotic is stopped. long-term antibiotics can be considered. One option is to add low-dose tetracycline to the daily food ration. (I have to put my '2 cents' in here now--I don't believe in giving any kind of medications--antibiotics, steroids, pain-killers, etc. unless absolutely necessary--and I may be wrong but don't think this 'problem' is much more than a cosmetic one--so I personally would not give anything--maybe the 3 wk dose of tetracycline to see if it would clear it up for good--If not--I'd just put up with the 'problem!')
---Surgery is another alternative--Not even going to go into this as can cause other problems to develop---Just letting you know that it is an option!
----The dog's appearance can be improved for cosmetic purposes by plucking the stained hairs or clipping them close to the face. Stains can be removed by bathing with a dilute solution of hydrogen peroxide (1 part h. peroxide to 10 parts water). Be sure peroxide does not get into the eyes!! A minor problem can be improved with a piece of white chalk. If you are planning to show the dog, note that all powder or chalk must be removed from the hair before the dog is brought into the conformation ring for judging.
DO NOT USE CHLORINE BLEACHES FOR EYE STAINS! The fumes are painful and may cause chemical conjunctivitis.

[mrandrei]

Read tears? Uhm...you might be referring to tear stains. They are caused by red yeast bacteria caused by excessive tearing. I suggest you take your dog to the vet. Keeping the eye area wiped clean daily will help and you might even consider having your dog's groomer carefully shave the area so as to prevent excessive red yeast bacteria build-up.

[rayter]

Many commercial dog food ingredients can cause red staining in some dogs. What are you feeding? Water can also be the problem. Change your dog's diet.

I agree... the Angel Eyez is a very good product for that. It is normal in dogs and cats with "smooshed faces", because their tear ducts aren't as efficient as other animals. Your vet may have some very good meds to use for this as well.

[oes forever]

alot of dogs can suffer from the tear stains not only small dogs. only most go unoticeced because of their darker colour.
here is something that i also found recently:

I have had great success with James WellBeloved Ocean White Fish & Rice. It is great for skins disorders & dogs with alergies. I have a white standard here that I am showing he does great on it. No runny eyes or staining. I had a white female here last year who came from the USA with a list of allegies & the pills to correct them. We put her on the same diet. She never had to any medication while she was here. The owners were so impressed they were looking to import the food. I have recomended it to several of my customers who have had great results with it. I have tried the others in the range but that is the one I have best results with. All our dogs are on it now.

another thing to check is any treats that you give, alot of dog treats can be colourful, avoid these. also do not use plastic bowls.

[AnimatedPet]

If you're giving your dog tap water, I would switch to mineral water. My former employer had that problem with her Shih-tzu and switched her over to Evian bottled water. Worked out fine and it was only a matter of ending the consumption of the harmful elements found in tap water.

You can also use vinegar (1 tsp. of cider vinegar) in your dog’s water to help his pH to change and stop tearing.

[Lara's mom]

Would water filtered through a Brita be ok?