Tear Stain Tip

stephNbuttons · 02-21-2008, 03:38 PM

Hi everybody!

Here's a useful tip for getting rid of tear stains. My vet recommended using Opcon-A in my dog's eyes 1-2 times a day for 10 days, then cut back to every other day or so. The generic brand of these eyedrops will also work. My puppy has less drippy eyes and the redness has been fading.

I wanted to share because I've read things about vinegar, and all sorts of crazy things like bleaching (which can result in blindness in humans, I assume it's the same in dogs). Also, Angel Eyes is SUPER expensive. I don't trust messing with a dog's internal Ph levels, so I really like this solution. As long as your dog doesn't have any special eye conditions, these eyedrops are safe to try.

Let me know if anyone else has luck with this, I'd be interested to find out.

briteday · 02-21-2008, 04:14 PM

I haven't used it but am interested in the idea as our new dog has tear stains. I've had her tear ducts flushed but she continues to tear just a bit, causing the staining.

As I understand it this product has an antihistamine which will relieve any eye symptoms (tearing mostly) from allergies, a vasodilator to take away redness (dogs don't typically have those symptoms but it might help with the other symptoms), and boric acid (soothes the eye and will tend to remove the staining)...among other ingredients.

I have to run to the pharmacy later so I think I'll try this. I'll post the progress.

stephNbuttons · 02-21-2008, 04:32 PM

It's strange, right? I believe it's for allergy sufferers, and it's not like the dog is allergic to himself. My vet said it helps to flush the tear ducts. I don't know what the vet flushing procedure is like, but I'm guessing it's similar except on a smaller scale and ongoing basis.

briteday · 02-22-2008, 09:32 PM

The vet flushing procedure is usually done under anesthesia and is a bit pricey, $40 for the flushing plus whatever they charge for an hour of anethesia...you could be looking at close to $100.

Your dog isn't allergic to himslef. He may have an allergy to polles, grass, or something in your house (detergents, insecticides, cleaners...) just like a human. HOwever antihistamines help in many ways, not just in allergies, since we all produce histamines all the time. It's when the histamines get out of control due to some sort of alergic exposure that it becomes a problem. Antihistamines also have positive effects on inflammation and such, which could be contributing to the narrowing of the tear duct. Add in the vasodilator and the boric acid and you have a pretty helpful eye solution for soothing the eyes, if nothing else. I'm not sure it's going to remove the stains but it MIGHT help the underlying problem causing the excess tearing.

I was at Walmart today to buy the OpconA. Walmart has their own brand, exactly the same ingrredients and dose, for about $1 cheaper than the branded product. I'll try it for a couple of months and see if I notice any improvement. These things can take anywhere from 2-8 weeks to see any change, so don't expect overnight miracles.

I'll keep you posted on the progress.