Clipping Face Fur?

[Guest whitefawn]

Hi everyone! I posted a question here sometime ago, asking about what could be done to get rid of saliva stains on white hounds. Winnie's stains almost disappeared by just keeping her mouth clean and dry at all times. However, the staining came back with a vengeance overnight a few days ago, and I am at a loss understanding why, and how the discoloration could become this bad in just a couple of hours. At this point, I am wondering it clipping the discolored hair would help. It would certainly spare Winnie some of the annoying daily grooming and help keeping the area clean and dry. I am, however, worried that her hair may not grow back that easily on her face? She's had her fur clipped several times at the vet, on her legs and thighs, and it grew back just fine, but I am hesitant to try it on her face. Any advice or suggestion? Thanks!

[locket]

Jack came to us with stains around his mouth and I didn't thought much of it, until one day I notice it was gone.

We do brush his teeth everyday, but nothing else special.

Does it leave of its own?

I also know about some products that help clean the stains, if it really annoys you. Kind of like a shampoo. You might want to go shopping at your local pet store

I wouldn't know how you would cut short hair like this on a hound's face to be honest Mine certainly wouldn't let you!

[GeorgeofNE]

It's just cosmetic, and I know it doesn't bother her, so perhaps just accept that it's part of owning a white dog?

 

They do make a product for show dogs who need sparkly white fur, as this is a very common issue with white dogs--can't remember what it's called. But if she were mine, I'd just consider it part of her charm.

[NeedlenoseJake]

I think they have stuff called Angel Eyes for little white dogs who get tear stains. Maybe that would work?

[Guest whitefawn]

Thanks all for your replies and suggestions! At this point, regardless of if my human self is bothered by the stain itself, I am not sure I'd agree with the "it's just cosmetic" argument. As discussed in other Greytalk threads, and many other websites, the staining is symptomatic of a pH imbalance in dogs' saliva that promotes a bacterial/yeast overgrowth on their skins. I've been trying different treatments to restore that pH balance over the last few months, which seemed to be working so far. What concerns me with this relapse is that it happened overnight, and has spread to her entire face. It may not be bothering her at first, but I know out of experience that if I don't groom her religiously the skin around her mouth gets red, scaly and irritated. So, trust me, I'm not just being vane !

[Guest k9soul]

I really don't know much about this issue but I had an acquaintance with a schnauzer that had bad staining and it became a yeast infection so she shaved off all the beard and clipped her facial hair down and then did some kind of daily washes for a while. The hair grew back in still tinted some but apparently the yeast infection finally cleared up. But again that's with dog with longer and more dense hair, when she clippered her it wasn't shaved to the skin but just cut so that it was very short and could stay dry and well aerated.

[BatterseaBrindl]

It's just cosmetic, and I know it doesn't bother her, so perhaps just accept that it's part of owning a white dog?

 

They do make a product for show dogs who need sparkly white fur, as this is a very common issue with white dogs--can't remember what it's called. But if she were mine, I'd just consider it part of her charm.

 

Ruby has some staining on her face...much more visible now that she is quite gray.

Our Vet has looked at more than once and doe not feel it is an issue. It does not bother Ruby at all.

 

 

Thanks all for your replies and suggestions! At this point, regardless of if my human self is bothered by the stain itself, I am not sure I'd agree with the "it's just cosmetic" argument. As discussed in other Greytalk threads, and many other websites, the staining is symptomatic of a pH imbalance in dogs' saliva that promotes a bacterial/yeast overgrowth on their skins. I've been trying different treatments to restore that pH balance over the last few months, which seemed to be working so far. What concerns me with this relapse is that it happened overnight, and has spread to her entire face. It may not be bothering her at first, but I know out of experience that if I don't groom her religiously the skin around her mouth gets red, scaly and irritated. So, trust me, I'm not just being vane !

 

So... why don't you take her to the Vet and ask them about a possible pH issue and if it needs to be treated.

 

I would not shave my dogs face. Ever.

[XTRAWLD]

Kasey as a white dog had it. Did it bother me, sure. Did it bother him, not one bit! I only wiped his mouth down after every meal, and during baths he got scrubs. Some days it would be worse than others but it was nothing that got out of hand and his whole snout became brown or anything. It's life with dogs.

 

You do realize that some hounds have more of a ph build up than others, this leads to why some have extreme tartar build up and some have gleaming white toofers. Some no matter how much you brush, always have very bad teeth. Therefore perhaps the overwhelming staining you are seeing is a precursor to an underlying dental hygiene issue. I really don't think staining on the mouth is a biggie. It's just a sign you need to be diligent about brushing teeth! I wouldn't shave off the fur - you might end up with a whole different issue; dry skin, sores....the fur is there as a barrier.....

[Hubcitypam]

There's a food additive called Angels Eyes that does work on tear stains on white dogs. It had a very devoted following when I worked at the day care/kennel. Maybe you could contact them and ask if it would work on saliva stains also? It might not, but a phone call wouldn't hurt.