Tear Stain Products: More than Meets the Eye
I’ve gotten a number of questions about Angels’ Eyes, the oral product that proclaims to rid little white dogs of their unsightly red-brown tear stains. Small breed dogs and brachycephalic cats commonly experience epiphora, or excessive tearing. Products like Angels’ Eyes promise to rid a pet of its tear stains with a daily oral supplement. I typically consider such claims nothing more than another gimmick. However, it seems as though this product might actually work for little Fluffy. I researched the miracle product and was surprised to find the secret ingredient is Tylosin.
Tylosin is a macrolide antibiotic commonly used in food animals but can also be used to treat campylobacter and mycoplasma spp infections among others in dogs and cats. It is also used as an anti-inflammatory to treat colitis, much like metronidazole. It is in the same drug family as erythromycin and azithromycin (Z-Pak). The company claims the product kills yeast, which they mistakenly call a bacterial infection, that are responsible for producing red pigment. Tylosin actually kills the bacteria that, when interacting with the yeast, cause the formation of pigment and subsequent stain.
I have some major issues with this product:
Tylosin tartrate is labeled by the FDA for OTC use in food animals. When it comes to use in dogs and cats, the FDA notes federal law restricts this drug to use by or on the order of a licensed veterinarian. This drug should not be sold OTC for pets. Period. Loopholes in the supplement labeling system allow companies like the manufacturers of Angels’ Eyes to sneak around FDA regulations with the disclaimer: These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration and are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. This disclaimer does not make the act of dispensing this drug legal, it merely allows the manufacturer to make the product without going through the expensive and arduous process of FDA approval. Because the FDA typically has bigger fish to fry, companies like this cruise under the radar.
Antibiotic resistance is a problem that affects all facets of medicine. Many common antibiotics have dual use in both veterinary and human medicine. While tylosin is a veterinary only drug, drug resistance to one drug can potentially result in resistance to an entire class of antibiotic. I am concerned there are voices on the web who say that, because tylosin is a narrow-spectrum antibiotic, resistance is not a worry. Say what? First of all, tylosin has broad spectrum coverage against gram positive bacteria. Second, if an antibiotic has activity against ANY bacteria that bacteria can become resistant. Those same voices also claim tear staining leads to eye infections. Sorry, wrong again. Staining leads to unhappy owners; Improper tear production and tear flow coupled with shallow orbits, bulging globes, and underlying pathology leads to infection.
I also have serious concerns for any use of an antibiotic to treat a cosmetic issue. This is bad medicine no matter which way you slice it. Angels’ Eyes gets my stamp of disapproval.
Verrry interesting! What do you think of this product, which we use on the hospital cat, a rescued Exotic Shorthair with typical Persian eye issues. We like how it works for her.
Eye Envy
1http://www.eyeenvy.com/
Thank you for posting this. I have tried, repeatedly, to tell clients at work that this is an antibiotic and nit should not be wasted on cosmetic issues, but I get nowhere. It’s good to know that others feel the same way I do about it.
2I’m a 4th year vet student about to graduate in May, and trying to accumulate all these bits of wisdom before I head out into the world of silly clients. So, all this being said about Angel Eyes, what do you think is the most effective way to address this product with clients so that they understand it shouldn’t be used OTC?
3“I also have serious concerns for any use of an antibiotic to treat a cosmetic issue.”
I don’t disagree with you about Angel Eyes and overuse of antibiotics, but . . . acne?
4I had a cat with a blocked or malformed tear duct. She nearly always had some goup (technical medical term?) under her eye. Best thing we were told to do…soft cotton pad with warm water. I wouldn’t have considered using something like the Angel’s Eyes on her. Stains didn’t show – she was a sable Burmese.
5Dr K you are a STAR!!!
Thank you. Thank you. Thank you!!!!
I have to admit that I used to use Angels Eyes. I rang them and ordered some. in about 2 weeks I could see that it was working but was curious as to how.
I was very annoyed that no one had mentioned that the active ingredient was an antibiotic.
From my research online I discovered that tylosin does not have a marketing authority for dog or cat use any where in the world. And as you stated it would be prescription only (under the Extra Label Rule or the Cascading Rule in the UK).
This means that the info on their site is very misleading- they say it is safe for dogs (how do they know that- there is no long term research!!!) – they say it is FDA approved but do not mention that it is not FDA approved for dogs or cats (their target market!!!).
In the UK Angels Eyes et al have been officially banned for a couple of years
http://www.vmd.gov.uk/Publications/MAVIS/Full/mavis66.pdf
In the US the FDA admit that Angels Eyes is illegal but have not yet enforced the law.
I do sympathise with people that used Angels Eyes years ago but now there are natural products that prevent the bacteria from metabolising the iron content WITHOUT the need for antibiotics.
No metabolism means no yeast and ultimately no red stains.
With the likes of
Angels Delight by Bichon Hotel – http://www.bichonhotel.co.uk/angels_delight
and
Naturvet tear stain supplement- http://www.naturvet.com
plus other new products
there is NO EXCUSE for using OTC tylosin based products to deal with tear stains.
Warmest regards and keep up the good work
6Hungover – I second your recommendation of Naturvet’s product, and would like to add HappyTail’s Eyemmunity to the list. Antibiotic free, and great results.
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