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How to Clean Your Dog’s Ears and Eyes
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Summary:
Cleaning your dog´s eyes and ears does not have to be a chore. This article provides some tips for keeping your dog´s eyes and ears clean and fresh. |
Details or Sample:
Dogs need to have regular grooming just like people, and just like us humans they need to have their ears and eyes kept clean. If the eyes and ears are not kept clean they can be prone to serious infections, and even permanent damage to hearing and eyesight. Regular cleaning of the eyes and ears also gives dog owners the chance to check their pets for problems and catch any issues early. If issues are found they can be brought to the attention of a veterinarian right away.
Cleaning the Ears
Cleaning a dog’s ears is a relatively straightforward process, but it is important to use caution. Some dogs do not mind this type of cleaning at all, while others may react quite strongly. Until you know how your dog will react, be sure to keep a close watch on him and proceed slowly and carefully.
Before you get started, it is important to gather together the materials you will need. You can either use cotton balls or special ear cleaning pads to do he job. In addition, you will need a special ear wash solution that is designed specifically for dogs and a couple of cotton swabs. You can obtain this solution from your vet’s office or from your local pet store.
If using cotton balls, be sure to soak them thoroughly with the ear wash solution. Be sure to squeeze out any excess solution. After the cotton balls have been soaked thoroughly, slowly place it in the dog’s ear and rub in up and down gently. Discard any soiled cotton balls and replace them with fresh ones. Continue to rub the dog’s ears until all the accumulated dirt has been removed. The same procedure applies to those presoaked ear cleaning pads, except of course that they do not need to be soaked in ear cleaning solution.
After the dog’s ears have been cleaned, the dog should be allowed to shake his head to remove the excess fluid. This will allow any missed dirt to be brought to the surface and removed.
Once the dog’s ears have been cleaned with cotton balls, the swabs can be used to clean out the nooks and crannies that the cotton balls missed. Be sure to soak the cotton swabs thoroughly with the ear cleaning solution prior to use, and be cautious when using them. Never stick the cotton swab in the dog’s ear canal, and try to keep his head as still as possible during the cleaning process.
Cleaning the Eyes
Dogs differ in their need for regular eye care. Some dogs have naturally weepy eyes, while others rarely suffer from any discharge. Dog owners will need to be on the lookout for any change in the nature or amount of discharge from the eyes, as a change could signal a medical problem that needs to be addressed right away.
The first step when cleaning the dog’s eyes is to wipe away any discharge that has accumulated at the corner of the eye. Use a damp cotton ball or a clean damp cloth to wipe away the discharge. You can also use a specially designed eye cleaning pad that is available at most pet stores and veterinary offices.
While you are removing any accumulated discharge from the eyes, look for any long or ingrown hairs that have grown around the eyes. If possible, clip any long hairs around the eyes, especially those that could potentially impair the dog’s vision.
If the dog’s eyes are constantly running and accumulating debris, it may be a good idea to schedule a visit to the veterinarian’s office. In many cases weepy eyes are a sign of a cold or respiratory infection, but only your vet can tell for sure. Even if there is no infection responsible, your vet may be able to recommend products that can reduce the weepiness and keep those eyes looking great.
There are also many products on the market designed to remove stains left by runny eyes. The effectiveness of these products varies quite a bit, but many of them are quite effective. These products can be particularly good for owners of white and light coated dogs. White coated dogs are particularly prone to stains around the eyes, and regular use of eye cleaning supplies can keep the coat looking its best.
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Written by: beconrad
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