[Tina]

QUOTE (Inchiapas @ May 5 2009, 01:22 PM)

Hi - Goliath is 23 months old; Jezebel 10 months. Both have dark tear and beard stains. So far, their tears were cultured and drops prescribed. I've used the following products all with NO positive results: Eye Envy, Angel Eyes, Crystal Eyes by Four Paws, Drs. Foster & Smith Show Eyes. I changed their food to salmon and rice, bathe them weekly using No More Tears near the eyes and a whitening shampoo for their beards. In between baths, I wash stained areas with No More Tears once or twice.

Is there anything I'm missing or should I give up and love 'em as they are? I have the only Maltese in the southern Mexico state of Chiapas where I live so there is no one here to ask. Thanks for any suggestions.[/B]

I have come to the belief that tear staining is contagious. What ever bacteria is on there gets onto your combs. You need to wash your combs daily with just soap and water and this will help.
Most vets think this is a "cosmetic" problem. It's not. Clindimiacin works with a 14 day course. It will get you ahead of the germ causing the infection. It binds with the enzyme in the tears.
Another thing that was pointed out to me was that a slightly almond eye has less tear staining than a round eye (which the standard calls for). The tears go to the inner corner like they are supposed to, where as the round eye does not.

IMO
Tina