My Pet World: Tear-stain products under fire from the FDA

Lots of dogs and cats cry. It's not that our pets get overly emotional watching TV soap operas; the cause is a natural overproduction of tears.

Veterinary dermatologist Dr. John Angus explains that what happens next is caused by an ever so slight amount of moisture on the skin. That's all it takes for a combo platter of an overgrowth of yeast, benign bacteria and skin microbes, which causes a reddish-brown tear stain, most evident on white or light-colored dogs and cats.

Darker-colored pets often have the same tear-stains; they're just not visible.

"For most pets, this (the tear staining) is solely a cosmetic issue for owners," Angus says. Of course, pets rarely look into the mirror and complain.

Many over-the-counter products have been available for years at pet stores and online that effectively remove these stains. However, on August 29, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration announced a crackdown on the manufacturers of these stain-removal products, at least those containing a low level of antibiotic, which is how the products combat that overgrowth of yeast, bacteria and skin microbes.

Here's how the FDA explains its move, which took even makers of these products by surprise:

"These products, including Angels' Eyes, Angels' Glow, Pets' Spark, and exported products Glow Groom and Health Glow, have not been reviewed by FDA for safety and effectiveness. These tear stain removers also contain the medically important antibiotic tylosin tartrate, which is not approved for use in dogs or cats, nor for the treatment of conditions associated with tear stains. (The) FDA has serious concerns about unapproved animal drugs. Unapproved animal drugs are not reviewed by FDA and may not meet FDA's strict standards for safety and effectiveness."

Angus , of Pasadena, CA, explains, "The FDA and my colleagues have no question these products (that remove tear stains) do what they advertise, otherwise people wouldn't be continuing to buy them. However, there's a general concern for pets, as there is with people, about over-usage of antibiotics. Also, the long-term effects of the sub-therapeutic (antibiotic) doses in these products has never been appropriately tested. Personally, I doubt there's a problem, but this is what the FDA is doing."

Angus does think the FDA has the best interest of our pets' health in mind, but what are owners concerned about their pets' tear stains supposed to do now?

The FDA is serious, suggesting that if the products targeted aren't pulled from the market, manufacturers could be fined, and injunctions might even be filed against any manufacturers and distributors that don't cooperate.

We could go back to soap and water to wipe away tear stains, but that old-school method was never completely effective. Soap and water may immediately erase some staining, but adding moisture, over time, leads to even more staining, as the yeast, bacteria and skin microbes thrive with moisture. Also, if soap gets into a pet's eyes, this can be irritating.

A new-fangled idea is the use of new pro-biotic products. "Anecdotally, so far, the results are pretty good," Angus says.

Angus and many of his colleagues feel most comfortable in recommending veterinary products, such as Douxo pads, which displace moisture, drying out the skin and effectively reducing those ugly organisms.

Angus suggests talking with your veterinarian to discuss the best way to remove tear stains. He adds that if the pet's face has an odor, consider seeing your veterinarian. In rare instances, serious bacterial overgrowth may occur, or that odor might even be a sign of an ear infection or dental problem.

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