We have a red poodle puppy just about 4 months old. It is next to imposssible to control her eye stain. We wash and dry the area 2x day but to no avail. I have heard about giving antibiotics in drinking water but am not comfortable with it. Is there an eye drop I could use? Thanks

-- Anonymous, December 18, 2001

Answers

Bob, You are instinctively correct not to give the baby antibiotics. First, what does your breeder say about this? Secondly, has the veterinarian done a green dye test to see if the tear ducts are draining properly? You would have remembered this test because the dye comes dramatically out the nostril on the same side as the eye that has had the dye dropped in. Well, I will suppose you didn't have this done (it is not mentioned in your question). Have this done . . . but better than your regular veterinarian, go to a Board Certified Veterinary Opthamologist. Call your local poodle club (see www.ack.org for a list of poodle clubs) and ask where the members go for eye testing. This doctor may note some other mechanical difficulty with the eye as some times the shape of the rim or the placement of hairs can cause irritation of the eyeball and tearing.

Then there is one of the basic reasons for tearing: STRESS. The age of the pup is the hardest of all in it's life (besides being born). Teething is about to begin and it is uncomfortable and stressful. Vaccines also cause stress, worms/wormings cause stress, a new home causes stress, and allergies cause stress. Your dog could be showing symptoms of an allergic reaction, most likely the diet. Look for a human-consumption-quality diet for your little poodle. Avoid corn, wheat, rice and chicken. Best wishes for a good outcome.

Julie Borst Tiara Black Standard Poodles

-- Anonymous, December 20, 2001