Tear Stain
Tear Staining is very common. It's more obvious on white dogs like Maltese.
There are many potential causes to the eye stain such as: excess tearing, blocked tear ducts, ear infection, genetics, the type of minerals in your local tap water (some show dogs only drink bottled water), irritated eyes, allergies, teething (usually from 5-8 months). You should try to identify what may have caused your puppy's eye stain, but this is not easy. Your vet can help verifying blocked tear ducts or ear infection.
The key to reducing tear stain is to keep that area dry, clean and keep hair out of his eyes. Always wipe any tear away when you notice it. Keep the face clean from food. Some Maltese owners say TUMS (an anti-acid formulated as 500 mg calcium carbonate) helps reducing the tear stain problem - give 1/2 of the fruit flavoured variety TUMS twice a day. You should double check with your vet before giving your dog TUMS. We've tried "Angels Eyes" - it seems to help reducing tear stain.
We use this simple solution that you can make at home: mix 1/2 tsp of boric acid powder (only buy medical grade from a pharmacy) with a cup of water. Wet a cotton pad with the solution and then clean puppy's face with it (try not to get the solution in the eyes) once per day.
When you see tear, wipe it off. If you keep the area dry, then there's less chance of staining.
We also feed our dogs a table spoon of probiotics yogurt daily (natural flavour with sugar) NOTE: Some sugar substitutes are poisonous to dogs, so stick with the real thing!
If you are not into home-made solutions, you can try the following products:
• Eye Envy Powder - apply it to the stained area and brush it out (using an human eye brow make-up brush). Note: my dogs didn't like the solution from Eye Envy but they don't mind the Eye Envy powder.
• #1 All Systems Whitening Gel - apply it to the stained area and let it dry.
• Angels Eyes - note: it works but you should be aware that it contains low dosage of antibiotic. It's okay to use it but I stopped using it.
Other Resources:
Tear Staining - Causes and Cures - http://spoiledmaltese.com/forum/51-maltese-grooming/112835-tear-stains.html
Tear Staining - article by Bobbie Linden, Bhe-Jei Maltese