Protecting Eyes and Ears
A dog's eyes and ears need to be properly taken care of to prevent potentially harmful infections down the road.
Eye Care
When you're looking over your dog every day, be sure to notice his eyes. They should not be red or swollen and shouldn't tear excessively. If you notice a discharge, wipe his eyes and eyelids clean with a cotton ball soaked in some warm distilled water. You can also use a warm washcloth to clean the eyes.
Don't let your dog stick his head out of the open window of a moving car. Dirt particles or sharp objects can easily fly into his eyes and scratch the corneas. Even too much wind can irritate a dog's eyes.
For any irritation, take your dog to see the veterinarian. She will examine his eyes to determine what the source of the problem might be.
Bulging, globular eyes need extra protection. They protrude and can easily be scratched by the family cat or from garden plants and bushes that have thorns or sharp leaves. Be on the lookout for and remove anything sharp in your home or garden that's close to your dog's eye level.
Cleaning Ears
Whether your dog has erect or drop ears, they need regular cleaning. Dirt and debris collect inside, which may lead to an infection.
To clean your dog's ears, you'll need cotton balls and some warm almond oil. Pour the oil into a squeeze bottle and drizzle about ½ teaspoon oil into the ear canal. Massage the base of the ear until you hear a swishing sound. Continue for a few minutes so the oil has a chance to loosen the wax inside. Put the cotton inside the opening and wipe out the waxy secretion. Repeat the process until the cotton comes out clean.
It's a good habit to look at your dog's ears every day. If there's a musty odor or a black, waxy secretion, they need cleaning. Some dogs with long ears may need their ears cleaned once a day, while upright ears may only need cleaning once a month.
