Allergies in pets

Cry me a River- Pet’s Unsightly Tear Stains

Diane Weinmann Animal Health, healing your pet , , , ,

By Dr. Becker and Diane Weinmanntear-stain

Tear staining refers to reddish brown streaks that appear under your dog or cat’s eyes. It’s most common in dog breeds like the Maltese, Lhasa Apso and Shih Tzu, and will be much more noticeable on animals with light-colored fur.

Many owners fret over tear staining because they believe it to be unsightly, but it could be more than a purely aesthetic concern. Epiphora, or excessive tear production, is the most common cause of the discoloration.

This is because your pet’s tears contain porphyrins, which are molecules containing iron as the result of breakdown of red blood cells.

The amount of porphyrins your pet makes and secretes can be influenced by genetics, environmental factors and overall health status. If the porphyrins sit on your pet’s fur, they can leave a rust-colored stain.

I’ll explain some natural options for removing tear stains below, but first it’s important to rule out certain medical issues that could be causing your pet’s excessive tear production.

Medical Reasons for Excess Tearing and Tear Stains

There are many conditions that may result in excess tearing. If your dog has protruding eyes and a flatter snout, check to be sure facial hair is not rubbing on her cornea, leading to irritation and tearing.

Keeping fur trimmed short around her eyes will solve this problem. Other medical conditions that may cause excess tearing include:

  • Entropion: A condition in which the lower eyelid folds inward, resulting in pain, irritation and excessive tearing
  • Trichiasis: A condition in which eyelashes grow in the wrong direction, causing pain and irritation
  • Ectropion: A condition in which the lower eyelid droops or rolls out from the surface of the eye, causing irritation and watery eyes

If structural abnormality of your pet’s eyelid or eyelashes isn’t to blame, chronic eye irritation leading to excessive tearing could be due to viral conjunctivitis (which is especially common in cats), glaucoma or an allergic reaction.

Acute injury, such as if a foreign object gets stuck in your pet’s eye, can also cause eye irritation and tearing.

Some Breeds Struggle With Normal Tear Drainage

Tear stains may also be the result of abnormal tear drainage, which is quite common in brachycephalic breeds (dogs and cats with “pushed in” faces). Examples include boxers, bulldogs, Pekingese, pugs, Shih Tzus, Himalayan (cat) and Persians (cat).

Eyelid problems are common with these breeds and due to their protruding eyes, they may have difficulty closing their eyes all the way. This can lead to drying and irritation, leading to excessive tearing as the body attempts to keep the corneas moist and well lubricated. Some of these breeds also have abnormal tear drainage.

Instead of their tears being funneled into their tear ducts, they may instead spill out onto their faces, which means their eyes may be chronically runny. In some cases, your pet’s tear ducts may simply be blocked, and your veterinarian may be able to flush them out and solve the problem.

Some dogs have tear ducts that have been sealed shut since birth (this is sometimes seen in Cocker Spaniels and poodles, for instance). Others, as mentioned, may struggle with normal tear draining because of their flat face and shallow eye sockets.1

If your pet has a tear drainage problem that can be resolved with surgery, such as prolapsed third eyelid, I recommend you make sure the procedure is done correctly (the gland is replaced verses being removed).

Consulting with a veterinary ophthalmologist for complicated cases is well worth it. These vet specialists will have the training, experience and specialized equipment necessary to perform delicate eye surgery.

Excessive Tearing Can Lead to Infectiontear-stain-cat

Constant watery discharge from your pet’s eyes is likely uncomfortable for your pet and, due to the area staying constantly wet, may lead to infection. If an unpleasant odor is present, your pet may have developed a yeast infection (this is especially true if the stains are more brownish than reddish).

If yeast or another infection is present, see a holistic veterinarian for natural treatment options. You can try colloidal silver, for instance, by applying a small amount (via a cotton ball) to your pet’s face. Colloidal silver has antimicrobial properties that may help reduce yeast infection or dermatitis in the area.

You can also use a diluted organic tear-free baby shampoo to gently cleanse the skin around your dog’s eyes twice a day until the infection resolves.

Tips for Removing and Preventing Tear Stains

Some dogs are more prone to tear stains than other, even within the same breed. One of the simplest methods of prevention, however, applies to all dogs: wipe her face with a warm, damp cloth at least twice a day, which will help to clear away porphyrin-containing moisture. Keeping her face hair trimmed is also important.

If the hair around your pet’s eyes is notably annoying to her, ask a groomer to shave the hair under the eyes and then apply a thin layer of coconut oil to the area. This may help to reduce irritation and inflammation.

There are some herbal eye wash products available that may be useful for pets prone to tear stains. I have also found supplements that assist in detoxification, including milk thistle, SAMe, dandelion, olive leaf, chlorophyll, colostrum and probiotics, to be effective in decreasing the amount of tear staining in my patients.

At a foundational level, you’ll also want to feed your pet a fresh, balanced and species-appropriate diet and fresh, filtered drinking water. This will ensure she’s not taking in excess iron or impurities that will further stress her body (and perhaps contribute to staining).

If you feed a commercial diet, I recommend rotating brands and flavors/recipes to provide a variety of nutrients to your pet but to also to give him a break from the exact same amount of premixed vitamins and minerals you feed on a daily basis. Many pet foods meet AAFCO minimum nutrient requirements but can also contain borderline toxic levels of some nutrients (such as iron) and over time feeding a diet too high or low in nutrients is stressful on the body.

By keeping your pet’s face clean, providing her with a healthy diet and addressing any injuries or structural or infectious factors in her excessive tearing, you can likely keep tear staining to a minimum. Whatever you do, do not attempt to remove tear stains with products like milk of magnesia, medicated powders intended for humans, makeup remover, corn syrup or hydrogen peroxide.

Also, avoid tearstain-removal products that contain antibiotics, which may or may not be listed on the label. Any product you use for tear stains should be clearly labeled “antibiotic-free.” If you’re interested in a natural tearstain remover, your holistic veterinarian should be able to recommend one. Research has found that many tear stain products contain Tylosin, an ingredient that is potentially harmful and may promote negative side effects

Tearplex™ has been vet recommended as superior in all these categories for cats or dogs:

 

Marketed to Reduce Appearance of Existing Tear Stains Marketed to Target Future Tear Stains  Does NOT   Contain Tylosin†Potentially  Harmful Ingredient Marketed to Contain Natural Ingredients Marketed for Dogs of ALL Breeds

tearplex

 

http://tear-stain-center.com/tearplex/

 

IS YOUR PET: ITCHING, SCRATCHING OR WHEEZING AS THE WEATHER WARMS UP? SMASH SEASONAL ALLERGIES WITH THIS POWERFUL FLAVONOID!

Diane Weinmann Animal Health , ,

 

Most content provided by Rodney Habib, recommendation and some information by Diane Weinmann

dog scratching

 Allergies are a pain, and not just for us humans.

An allergy is an abnormal response of the immune system. The body reacts to a usually harmless substance in the environment called an “allergen.” Allergens can be problematic when inhaled, ingested, or when it comes into contact with a dog’s skin.

As your dog’s body tries to get rid of the allergen, a variety of skin, digestive, and respiratory issues may surface. These include (but aren’t limited to) paw licking/chewing, ear infections, watery eyes, itchy skin, and a lot of scratching.

Histamine is one of the biggest players in an allergic response, causing much of the inflammation, redness and irritation we and our pets experience. Once the body goes through this process, being exposed to the same allergen again will result in this antibody response, hence the allergic reaction.

Quercetin is a flavonoid (also called a bioflavonoid) that has anti-oxidant, anti-histamine and anti-inflammatory properties. During an allergic reaction the body releases histamine. Histamine contributes to inflammation, redness and irritation. Research has shown that Quercetin can “turn off” histamine production and suppress, or at least moderate, inflammation. Furthermore, Quercetin helps suppress cellular activity associated with inflammation. This means less itching! For this reason, it has been coined “Nature’s Benadryl.”

Dumb me, when my husky started wheezing and coughing, I called the vet and they told me to give him over the counter Benadryl.  Little did I know a natural solution existed in the peel of many fruits and vegetables: a mighty flavonoid called Quercetin. Although herbs and botanicals have been used for medicinal purposes in many countries for thousands of years, flavonoids were not discovered until the 1930s. Flavonoids are a plant-based compound with powerful antioxidant properties. What do antioxidants have to do with allergies? Well this mighty flavonoid presents not only anti-inflammatory but anti-histamine characteristics too!

“Quercetin and other flavonoids have been shown in these studies to inhibit the growth of cancer cells from breast, colon, prostate, ovarian, endometrial, and lung tumors.” – University of Maryland Medical Center.

Quercetin supplements are available in pill and capsule form. They are often packaged with “Bromelain” which increases the bioavailability of Quercetin, meaning you get more bang for your buck when combined.

 Dosages

To work out the proper dosage in milligrams, just multiply the weight of your pet (in pounds) by 8. So a dog weighing 50lbs should get 400mg or a 125lbs dog would get 1,000mg. 1000mg of quercetin a day is roughly equal to consuming 124 red apples or 217 cups of blueberries. Researchers suggest that the average human who consumes an abundant amount of fruits and veggies is only getting about about 230mg of quercetin a day.

Remember: Whatever the amount you give your pet, always split the dosage into two separate portions throughout the day for best results.

 Remove the Itch!

One of the best ways to address allergies is to remove the allergen. Similarly to us humans, the less exposure to something the body doesn’t like, the less reactive we are to it. The more often your pet is exposed to an allergen they are sensitive to, the more intense and long-lasting their allergic response becomes.  With my dog, I didn’t let him put his nose on mold that grew on trees because that seemed to be his trigger for an attack!

There are two types of allergies: food and environmental. Your dog may have a food allergy which often shows up as itchiness, difficulty breathing, and/or gastrointestinal issues (upset stomach resulting in vomiting, diarrhea, and/or gas). Common food allergens include wheat, soy and corn.

The problem could also be an abundance of yeast. Too often, dogs are diagnosed with allergies when they are actually suffering from a systemic yeast infection which lives in the gut, which is, interestingly, where 70% of the immune system also resides.

A few common environmental allergens can include: tree, grass and weed pollens, mold spores, dust/dust mites, cleaning products, insect bites, and insect control products. Also, just like us, our pets can have allergic reactions to prescription drugs. To minimize environmental allergens, keep things clean and make sure to use natural and environmentally friendly products and cleaners in and around your home. Limit the amount of time your pet spends outside when pollen counts are high.  If you know their “trigger” just don’t go near it, hopefully it is that simple.

 What Happened during an Allergy Attack

During an allergy attack, the immune system produces antibodies to a specific allergen. These antibodies then cause certain cells in the body to release chemicals into the bloodstream. One of these chemicals is “histamine”. It’s one of the biggest players in the allergic response, causing much of the inflammation, redness and irritation we and our pets experience. Once the body goes through this process, being exposed to the same allergen again will result in this antibody response, hence the allergic reaction.

A quick safety note: Sometimes, a serious reaction called anaphylaxis can occur. This is essentially a whole body response to an allergen and can be life threatening, therefore requiring immediate medical attention. All the symptoms of a “normal” allergic reaction are exaggerated and your pet may even lose consciousness. Go to the vet immediately!

Let’s Sum it Up!

So let’s put what we know together. Quercetin is a flavonoid (also called a bioflavonoid) that has anti-oxidant, anti-histamine and anti-inflammatory properties. During an allergic reaction the body releases histamine. Histamine contributes to inflammation, redness and irritation. Research has shown that Quercetin can “turn off” histamine production and suppress, or at least moderate, inflammation. For this reason, many have coined it “Nature’s Benadryl”.

Furthermore, Quercetin helps suppress cellular activity associated with inflammation. This means less itching! It also inhibits the production of specific inflammatory molecules. This is exciting because Quercetin is actually helpful in treating asthma and respiratory issues involving inflammation. Bronchial tubes in the lungs become restricted during an asthma attack (bronchoconstriction). Medical studies show that Quercetin can actually minimize the amount of constriction!

 Just when you thought Quercetin couldn’t be more perfect….

Quercetin has an anti-cancer effect!

Flavonoids in fruits and vegetables are important in cancer prevention. According to the University of Maryland Medical Centre, Quercetin and flavonoids have been shown to limit cancer cell growth in breast, colon, prostate, ovarian, endometrial and lung tumors.  Since my mom died of breast cancer and cancer also took my dad, I will definitely be looking into this amazing flavonoid.

As you probably already noticed, our environment is becoming more and more toxic. Our pets are susceptible to toxins in the environment and in their food. This outpouring of toxins causes inflammation. If the body is overweight and storing fat (that’s me), this also causes inflammation.  To make matters worse, a lot of those nasty toxins are stored in fat cells. Cancer thrives off low-grade inflammation. Quercetin to the rescue!

Dr Demian Dressler, a renowned vet AKA The Cancer Doctor, adds that there are enzymes that are targeted during low dose chemotherapy treatment (metronomic chemotherapy) with the use of anti-inflammatory drugs. Blood flow to cancer cells is reduced which helps inhibit cancer growth.

Quercetin can partially block the very same enzymes! Given our pets ingest Quercetin, Dr. Dressler advises using it for tumors in the digestive system where they can receive the highest dosage of a tablet.

Studies have linked Quercetin to supporting bone health, weight reduction (you sold me), addressing heart disease and overall performance. Test tube studies have even shown evidence that Quercetin may protect against the damage caused by bad cholesterol (LDL) and reduce blood pressure (hypertension). Really, you and your four-legged friends can’t go wrong with this mighty flavonoid!

Quercetin in Whole Foods

Quercetin can be found in many fruit and vegetables, particularly citrus fruits, apples, grapes, dark cherries, dark berries, onions, and parsley. It also occurs naturally in some teas and red wine. An important note: Onions and grapes may cause TOXIC reactions in pets, therefore do not feed them to your furry friends.

Quercetin supplements are available in pill and capsule form. They are often packaged with “Bromelain” which increases the bioavailability of Quercetin, meaning you get more bang for your buck when combined. Bromelain is an enzyme that also helps inhibit histamine. Together, Bromelain and Quercetin suppress a compound in the body associated with some types of pain and inflammation. Suppressing it can help decrease pain and inflammation that occurs with irritated mucous membranes and body parts.

Research shows that Quercetin supplementation is generally safe for cats and dogs. Some potential side effects that have been observed in humans include upset stomach and headaches. Very high dosages of Quercetin may be damaging to the kidneys. Experts advise against taking it when one has kidney disease. There is not much known about Quercetin during pregnancy and lactation, therefore it is also advisable not to give it to your pet during these times.

Just remember, like many supplements, Quercetin isn’t meant to be taken on a long-term basis. Give your pet periodic breaks from the supplement, using only as needed. If your pet does have a preexisting condition, is currently on medication, has a planned surgery, or is pregnant, it’s advisable that you talk to your vet before feeding. 

About Rodney Habib

Labeled the “Jamie Oliver of pet food” by his supporters, Pet Nutrition Blogger Rodney Habib is an award winning blogger, magazine writer, and is currently filming a TV series for Animal Planet focusing on pet obesity. He travels around the world, gathering current data from the Pet Industry, and relays it to his supporters. He has one goal in mind when it comes to all his work: to be the change he wants to see in the world. Visit Rodney and his retail pet store, Planet Paws