Eye and Ear Care

Eye Care

Symptoms of Eye Infection
The following are signs that something may be wrong with one or both of your dog’s eyes. Be sure to watch your pooch’s body language, too pawing or rubbing his eye area may indicate possible problems. Call your veterinarian if your dog is experiencing any of these symptoms.

• Discharge and crusty gunk
• Tearing
• Red or white eyelid linings
• Tear-stained fur
• Closed eye(s)
• Cloudiness or change in eye colour
• Visible third eyelid
• Unequal pupil size

Common Eye Problems in Dogs
The following eye-related disorders are commonly seen in dogs:

• Conjunctivitis: One or both of your dog?s eyes will look red and swollen, and there may be discharge
• Dry Eye: Diminished tear production can cause corneal inflammation, squinting and discharge.
• Epiphora: An overflow of tears creates stains on the dog?s facial fur.
• Cherry Eye: An enlarged tear gland forms a cherry-like mass in the corner of the dog’s eye.
• Glaucoma: The cornea may become cloudy and the eye enlarges due to an increased pressure in the eyeball.
• Ectropion: A turning outward of the eyelid away from the eye (lower lids may look droopy).
• Entropion: A rolling in of the eyelid causes discharge and tearing.
• Cataract: An opacity on the lens of the eye can cause impaired vision and possible blindness.
• Progressive Retinal Atrophy: Caused by degeneration of retinal tissue?night blindness is often its first sign.

Ear Care

• If your dog’s inner ears appear dirty, clean them with a cotton ball or piece of gauze dampened with mineral oil, hydrogen peroxide or a liquid ear cleaner specially formulated for this purpose.
• Fold your pet’s ear back gently and wipe away any debris or earwax that you can see on the underside of his or her ear.
• Be sure to lift away the dirt and wax rather than rubbing it into the ear.
• Inner-ear skin is delicate, so allow your vet to demonstrate the proper method for cleaning your dog?s ears check out this video.

Recognising an Ear Infection
Because a dog’s ear canals plunge downward and then horizontally from the ear opening, it is difficult for caught debris or water to be released, making canines especially susceptible to ear infections. Check your dog’s ears regularly for discharge, odour, swelling and other signs of infection. If your dog is showing any of the symptoms described below, see your veterinarian as soon as possible.

• Ear scratching
• Brown, yellow or bloody discharge
• Odour in the ear
• Redness
• Swelling
• Crusted or scabby skin on the near ear flap
• Hair loss around the ear
• Wiping the ear area on the floor or furniture
• Head shaking or head tilt
• Loss of balance
• Unusual eye movements
• Walking in circles
• Hearing loss

Signs of Ear Problems
Dogs with allergies are particularly vulnerable to complications, as are those with floppy ears, like Cocker spaniels, Basset Hounds and Poodles. Brown or black ear wax and dry, dark wax resembling coffee grounds are classic indicators of microscopic ear mites.

Contact your veterinarian if you notice any of the following symptoms affecting your dog’s ears.

• Ear discharge
• Bad smells
• Redness
• Swelling
• Crusty skin
• Hair loss