Thank you Denise, for posting this ! I greatly appreciate this information.
Since I am one who used this method (Terrimycin)<sp over the years, (2X's a year) to help Lil-lea's tear staining, I greatly appreciate this information. I was told by a veterinarian that this was fine and for a few years I tried it and it worked well. It particularly helped her with her feet issues which had to be itching her and she chews her feet pads as well as licking her feet.
I have long since stopped using it, because of my own concern of using any type of anti-biotic on a regular basis.. I have suggested here on this list any times but after reading all this information, I am now convinced that even if it is a wide spectrum anti-biotic, which vets do not use, such as Terramycin, they are now seeing that it can "cross over* and have an affect on how other anti-biotics function - This is information I did not have before and I am grateful to learn about.
With Lil-Lea, I can keep her tear staining to a minimum simply by keeping her hair around her eyes trimmed well and continuously. I am convinced that Lil-lea's issues are NOT plugged ducts or food issues! Lil-Lea has these issues when she cane to me. Her breeder was the one who told me about using the Terramycin <sp as she had been using it for Lil-Lea for ears. (she was 4 when we got her)
Lil-Lea's foods were changed right after I got her...... we have tried various foods over the years, and now she is on raw. So, I am confident that this is not a food related issue.
Other reasons I am confident this in not a *tear duct* issue is that this problem with red tears is not isolated to her tears. Her feet, private area, and around her mouth are all red ! So, this is a *system issue* ! I am thinking a PH issue ! From all the area's where there are *fluids* coming from her ! Her feet are ONLY RED, because she licks them! Her private area is red because of her pee and because she cleans herself ! Her area round her lower jaw is red because of her saliva! This YELLS PH issue to me, rather than food, allergy or eyes~
I tried going to the drug store to get *urine strips* to test her urine for acidity. But the druggist told me that they have not had those strips in ages. He also said they would not tell me anything, which is contrary to what a couple of breeders have told me. So, I am interested in knowing more*specific* info on these strips from anyone who is using them and where to get them~
One thing they are saying is that pro-biotics may help, which goes along with what I have been thinking for a while now, with regards to her PH. So, that was encouraging for me to see. My main concern is not the red, per sae....but rather the itching feet she has and her re-occurring ONE EAR issue that I must keep on track with constantly and that itches her. If I keep up with it, keep the hair out, keep ear ointment in it, then I don't have to worry.
If I let it go, it gets gunk in it and she constantly is scratching that one ear ~ This was the ear that was straggly and thin, when I got her and the breeder told me , her puppies were chewing on that ear.~ This ear has always had an issue! The other one is fine.
I am convinced there is a connection in all this to her PH somehow! I have now come to the conclusion that Acidophiles, which is helping her digestive system, is not as good as a really good pro-biotic and I feel I am in need of ordering a really good pro-biotic ~
Recommendations please! Do you use one and why do you use the one you do rather than others on the market ?
Some photos of Lil-Lea's feet ! These were taken years ago and are no where near as red as her feet actually can get~ Of course, when I shave her feet, the red pretty much goes wit it as it is the hair that turns red.
