Tear Stains In Bulldogs And French Bulldogs

Tear Stains in Bulldogs and French Bulldogs Introduction:

Tear stains are a frequent concern among bulldog and French bulldog owners, particularly those with light-colored coats. Many mistakenly blame the unsightly, wet, reddish stains on the elusive “RED YEAST,” influenced by advice from “Dr. Yahoo” and “Dr. Google.”

However, this is a common misconception!

Bulldog Tear Stains 5 X MUST KNOW

1. Tear stains common to the fur of the face and leg are not due to a mysterious “red yeast.
2. In contrast to skinfold dermatitis, tear stains are not due to an infection
3. Tear stains are due to a red blood cell by-product found in tears and saliva that turns dark when exposed to light
4. Treatment includes supplements and an antiseptic  therapeutic bully wipe
5. Prevention includes Dr. Kraemer’s Tear StainLess Bundle

Welcome to Our “Prevention Over RX” Bulldog Community 

What Causes Tear Stains in Bulldogs and French Bulldogs?

The true origin of those mysterious tearstains is a red blood cell (RBC) by-product called “porphyrin.”

The typical lifespan of your bulldog’s red blood cells is about 4 months. When these red blood cells expire, their remnants, including porphyrin, are processed through the liver, biliary system, gastrointestinal tract, and urine. Eventually, these byproducts are expelled through your bulldog’s saliva and tears.

How Does Porphyrin Tear Stain Your Bulldog Fur and Face?

Porphyrin a byproduct of your bulldog red blood cell is extracted in two common places. Porphyrin is excreted in your bully’s tears and saliva. 

BULLDOG TEARS PORPHYRIN LIGHT ACTIVATION:

Porphyrin is a light-sensitive iron molecule that undergoes oxidation, turning reddish when exposed to sunlight. Hence, in cases like:

• Bulldog Allergies
• Bulldog pododermatitis
• Bulldog lick granuloma

The areas that your bulldog licks, such as the paws or legs, may frequently exhibit a reddish and dark appearance upon exposure to sunlight.

Why Does Porphyrin Tear Stain Your Bulldog Fur and Face?

It stains your bulldog fur and faces due to two common reasons.

1. EXCESSIVE TEARING & LICKING: The activated porphyrin in your bully tears and saliva turns the fur area into a reddish color.
2. DEAR DRAINAGE PROBLEMS: Tear insufficient drainage

Excessive tears are the most common reason for tear stains

1. Tear Stains in Bulldogs Due to Tears Overproduction

The most common reasons for tear overproduction in bulldogs and French bulldogs are:

A. TEAR STAIN DUE TO ABNORMAL EYELASHES:

Bulldog eyelash problems like

• distichiasis
• trichiasis
• ectopic cilia

all of which will irritate and injure the cornea will tear up the eyes.

B. TEAR STAIN DUE TO ABNORMAL EYELID:

Bulldog eyelid problems like entropion, are an inner rotation of the eyelids that will lead to tearing.

C. BULLDOG TEAR STAIN DUE TO CORNEA ULCERS:

Bulldog corneal ulcers are painful, irritating injuries to your bulldog’s cornea that lead to excessive tears.

D. TEAR STAIN DUE TO EYEBALL ABNORMALITIES:

Bulldog exophthalmos, which is a protrusion of the eyeball, is common in brachycephalic breeds and causes excessive tearing

E. TEAR STAIN DUE TO BULLDOG ALLERGIES:

Bulldog allergies, such as bulldog atopic itch dermatitis and bulldog food allergy lead to licking and rubbing causing saliva stains as well as excessive tearing.

2. Bulldog Tear Stains Due to Drainage Problems:

The second cause of excessive tears in bulldogs is inadequate drainage, often due to occluded tear ducts resulting from the breed’s compressed facial bones.

Tear Stains in Bulldogs and French Bulldogs SYMPTOMS:

Common clinical presentations for those conditions are:

• SHUT EYELIDS: Difficulty opening eyes
• SQUINTING: Squinting and shying away from direct light
• RUBBING: Scratching and rubbing face and eyes
• DISCHARGE: Discharge and gunk
• REDNESS: Red, puffed, irritated eyes (Conjunctivitis, Scleritis)
• CLOUDINESS: Cloudiness, scaring, and the opaqueness of the cornea

For additional information about those common bulldog conditions, please read Dr. Kraemer’s “Eyes & Eye Lids” pages.

Tear Stains in Bulldogs “RED YEAST”:

The “Red Yeast” is an urban myth.

The red-colored tear stains result from porphyrin, a by-product of red blood cells (RBC) excreted through your bulldog’s tears and saliva. The misconception may arise from a mix-up with the prevalent yeast organism affecting bulldog skin and ears, which is Malassezia (a Pityrosporum, NOT Porphyrin)

WHAT IS BULLDOG RED YEAST?

Yeasty bully (Malassezia) stains and discharge typically exhibit a dark brownish color and may have an associated odor.

“Red yeast” (Malassezia) is commonly found in damp, moist areas like inside your bulldog’s ear canal, skin, and skin folds, leading to conditions such as

• Bully Yeasty Otitis
• Bully Yeasty Moist Skin-Fold Dermatitis
• Bully Yeasty Dermatitis.

The diagnosis of Bully Malassezia can be confirmed through culture or cytology, which involves taking samples from your bulldog’s skin, skin folds, or ear canal using a swab or skin impression.

How to Prevent Treat Red Yeast in Bulldogs?

Skin stains and discoloration due to bulldog yeast infection are best prevented and treated by topical therapeutics

YEASTY BULLY TOPICAL THERAPEUTICS

Dr. Kraemer’s provides a wide range of topical v4b bully anti-yeast products:

• V4B Bully Skin-Fold Antiseptic Wipes
• Bully Yeasty Antiseptic Shampoo
• Waterless Rinse-Free Lotions
• Bully Yeasty Antiseptic Ear Rinse

Bulldog and French Bulldog Tear Stain PREVENTION:

Listed below is a Dr. Kremer summary of 6 steps to prevent and remove tear stains.

1. BULLDOG TEAR STAIN GROOMING:

Proper Grooming of the area under the eyes keeps the hair short and the skin dry

2. BULLDOG TEAR STAINS BULLY WIPES:

Bulldog tear stains can be reduced by wiping the wet surface often with an appropriate wipe, like

• Dr. Kraemer’s V4B Bully Tear StainLess XL Wipes.

Skinfolds and Tear Stains wiping is an important theraputic preventive

3. NON-TYLOSIN TEAR STAIN REMOVAL SUPPLEMENT SAFETY:

In contrast to other OTC products that contain unauthorized, potentially harmful antibiotics, Dr. Kraemer’s V4B Bully Tear StainLess Chews are tylosin-free (ANTIBIOTICS FREE).

The Bully Tear StainLess contains natural ingredients and is an easy-to-administer chew

4. BULLDOG TEAR STAIN WATER & FOOD BOWLS:

Stainless steel feeding and water bowls are less likely to crack and easier to clean, thus less likely to harbor and colonize porphyrin-stimulating bacteria.

5. SKINFOLD MOIST YEAST DERMATITIS:

Maintain and dry your bulldog and French bulldog skin folds to help eliminate bacteria and Malassezia yeast microorganisms (skin fold moist dermatitis).

Dr. Kraemer’s V4B Bully Antiseptic Skin Fold XL wipes are ideal for the daily maintenance of those folds.

6. TEAR STAIN STRESS & NUTRITION:

Reducing stress, boosting the immune system, and feeding a balanced nutrition diet could help prevent and/or eliminate tear stains.

Tear Stains in Bulldogs and French Bulldogs WARNINGS:

Below are tear stains selected warning courtesy of Dr. Kraemer

#1. TEAR STAIN TYLOSIN ANTIBIOTICS WARNING:

Antibiotics like Tylosin have sometimes been shown to help reduce porphyrin levels in tears. This suggests that bacteria may play a role in the condition, with possible sources of bacterial contamination including contact with unclean plastic water bowls or face scratching due to allergies.

#2 BULLDOG TEAR STAINS OTC WARNING:

Many over-the-counter tear stain removal products, such as

• “Angel Dust
• “Tear Stain STy”
• “Pet Spark

often contain antibiotics like Tylosin. This practice is considered borderline illegal, unethical, and potentially harmful to your bulldog. It poses risks of adverse reactions to the drug and contributes to the endangerment and propagation of resistance to essential antibiotics, all for cosmetic purposes and vanity.

#3. TEAR STAINS ANTIBIOTICS WARNING :

I strongly advise against using prescription antibiotics for cosmetic concerns, as we must always adhere to the “Do No Harm” principle. Antibiotics, whether for treating medical conditions or addressing tear stains in bulldogs, should only be prescribed by a veterinarian and used under their supervision.

Recommended by Owners Approved by Bulldogs