The eyes and ears in dogs are the most vulnerable organs. Proper care of them will not only help the dog look aesthetically pleasing, but will also avoid the development of serious diseases of these organs. But how to properly care for your dog's eyes and ears?
Dog eye care
If the dog has redness of the mucous eyes, swelling, frequent blinking, itching, constant discharge, white spots, then you should contact your veterinarian as soon as possible. These symptoms are signs of eye diseases such as conjunctivitis, keratitis, cataracts, and blepharitis. Timely referral to a specialist will avoid the development of diseases and preserve the pet's eyesight.
The length of the dog's coat and the structure of its head determines how the care of its eyes will be.
Caring for the eyes of dogs of short-haired and smooth-haired breeds is reduced only to their regular examination. The dog owner is advised to make it a rule to check the dog's eyes daily.
Some dogs may have a grayish discharge in the corners of their eyes after sleep. It is advisable to clean them each time with a cotton pad or a special damp cloth. This will avoid inflammation in the future. The owner of dogs with "flattened" muzzles should follow the eyes of their pets carefully. Due to the unusual structure of the muzzle, they have an uneven nasolacrimal canal. This causes the discharge from the eyes to accumulate in the folds around the nose. If you do not wipe these folds in time, inflammation can occur, accompanied by redness and itching. It is recommended to wipe with a cotton swab moistened with cooled boiled water or a special lotion, or wet wipes for eye care.
In long-haired breeds such as the Yorkshire Terrier and Shih Tzu, it is recommended to tie the bangs in a ponytail and trim the hair near the eyes.
Ear care
An examination of the condition of the ears is recommended to be carried out daily. If a dog has discharge, dirt, redness and a strong unpleasant odor in the ears, it is necessary to show it to a veterinarian as soon as possible. A healthy dog has clean ears and no unpleasant odor. They do not need to be cleaned regularly. A healthy dog's ears can get dirty if, for example, while walking, digging a hole or lying in the ground and a pile of grass. But pollution will be only on the surface of the auricle. All this is due to the special structure of the ear, which protects it from dust, hair, bacteria and yeast-like fungi.
However, the protective epithelium of the external auditory canal is very thin and delicate and can be easily damaged if not cleaned properly. Therefore, it is not recommended to use cotton swabs, tweezers or clips to clean your ears. Also, while reading your ears, you should abandon the use of alcohol lotions and tinctures, hydrogen peroxide and various oils.
Dirt on the surface of the auricle can be removed with a moistened (non-medicated) dog ear cleaning lotion.
An attentive attitude to the pet and daily examination of its ears and eyes is an excellent prevention of the development of serious diseases of these organs. When the first signs of a disease occur, it is recommended not to self-medicate, but to immediately contact a veterinary clinic.
