Pet Ear & Eye Health Tips
Read these 11 Pet Ear & Eye Health Tips tips to make your life smarter, better, faster and wiser. Each tip is approved by our Editors and created by expert writers so great we call them Gurus. LifeTips is the place to go when you need to know about Pet Medication tips and hundreds of other topics.
Clean That Kitty's Eyes
So, your kitty has been diagnosed with an eye condition and your vet prescribed the proper medication, but you're not familiar with the proper pet care. What should you do? The first thing you should do is clean your kitty's eyes thoroughly before putting any type of medication into them. Clean the eyelids first by wiping them with diluted baby shampoo (20 parts water, 1 part shampoo) and a moistened cotton ball. When the eyes are thoroughly cleaned, wash away the shampoo with a moistened cotton ball.
If your poor kitty has discharge inside of her lids or even on the eye itself, remove it by putting a few drops of saline solution (like the kind used for contact lenses) into the eye. Then, use a tissue to remove the discharges from the corner of the eye.
Is Fido Looking Teary-Eyed?
Do you often find that your pooch is teary-eyed? As much as you want to believe that your pet has human-like characteristics, you can count out the theory that he's been sobbing over his last viewing of “Old Yeller” or that swat you gave him on the tush. There's a good chance, however, that he is suffering from epiphora.
Epiphora is the excessive tearing or watering of the eyes. Commonly, this condition will stain the fur beneath the eyes causing a dirty, dingy appearance. Dog eye care is a serious matter and a problem like this should be looked into before it worsens—in other words, take your pet to the vet IMMEDIATELY.
Clear the Tears
Epiphora can be caused by many things, the most common being chronic irritation of the eyes and an abnormality in the tear drainage system. A problem commonly mistaken for epiphora is a blocked tear duct. Normally, tears leave the eye by heading down a tear duct through the nasal passages. If the duct is clogged, however, the tears will drain over the lower lid and appear as excess tears. Common causes of epiphora include:
• Allergies
• Infection
• Abnormalities of the eyelashes and eyelids
• Viral infection
Once your dog has been diagnosed your vet will likely prescribe medication in the form of drops that you can administer yourself. To avoid the steep prices often involved with prescription eye & ear care for pets talk to your vet about discount drug alternatives.
Spot Spot's Ear Problems
Canines have very delicate ears, and proper care is essential to keep your dog in peak condition. The problem is, however, that most ear problems are internal so you may not notice them immediately. It is up to you to monitor your dog's health. If you think your dog has an ear infection or other problem, consult a vet immediately. Here are some symptoms to be on the lookout for:
• The dog is shaking his head a lot more than normal.
• The dog is constantly scratching his ears.
• The dog holds his head at an unusual angle (tilted).
• The ear has a strong, cheesy or sour odor.
• There is a heavy, waxy material in the ear.
• Hair is matted in the ear canal.
• Fleas or ticks are abundant around and in the ear.
• There is red, or inflamed skin in or around the ear.
• The inside of the ear is constantly wet.
Ointments Can be Tricky
If you're beloved furry friend has an eye problem, proper dog eye care is essential. There are a number of medications that your vet might prescribe, many of which come in ointment form. The proper way to apply the ointment can be tricky, however.
When applying ointment, don't overdo it! You should only apply a small amount; excessive amounts of ointment is likely to irritate the animal's eye. Apply the ointment either to the white of the eye or the inner corner of the eye. Next, rub the eyelid over the eye gently in a way that will evenly distribute the medication over the eye. It may be helpful to have someone help you hold the dog still. If you are alone, however, try resting your hand on the dog's forehead to keep yourself steady.
Pay Extra Attention to Your Pup's Ears
Dog ear care is important for your pet's well-being. Due to the shape of dogs' ear canals, they are particularly prone to ear problems. Bacteria, yeast, parasites, and viruses can thrive in the warm moist areas of the ear. Thoroughly cleaning your dog's ears should be a task that you perform weekly starting when your dog is a puppy. When you adequately clean your dog's ears and allow for proper air circulation, you will improve your dog's overall health—this is especially important for dogs with long, floppy ears.
If your dog has severe ear problems, get him to the vet immediately to discuss treatment options—it is likely he will require prescription ear medication.
Clean That Pooch's Ears
Good ears are important to your dog's health. Cleaning your pet's ears is simple - just follow the instructions below:
• Gently lift the ear flap upward and straighten the ear canal.
• Squirt an ear cleaning solution directly into your pet's ear and gently massage the base of the ear between your fingers for 30 seconds.
• Allow your dog to shake out any extra solution
• Use a soft cloth to remove excess wax and debris that has been loosened.
• Use an ear drying cream or powder to dry the canals.
Proper Application is Crucial
Whether we're talking about prescription or non-prescription eye and ear care for our pets, proper application is important. If you don't know what you're doing, stop right there, and read this important tip.
To apply eye drops to your pet's eye, lift his muzzle upwards with one hand and hold the medication dropper above the eye with the other. Allow the medicine to drip from at least 1 inch above the eye, and be careful not to let the dropper's tip touch the dog's fur. If Spot is a struggler, it might be in your best interest to get a friend to help you hold him still (especially if he is a large dog).
* Keep in mind that only one or two drops are needed of any medication. If your dog requires more than one kind of medicated eye drop, don't apply them all in one sitting. Instead, allow at least 5 to 10 minutes between applications—this way the medication will be absorbed.
Clean Ears Make for a Happy Dog
Do you want to keep your dog's ears healthy? The key is cleanliness. Clean your dog's ears on a regular basis, clearing them of dirt, debris, waxy build-up, and matted hair. Be extremely gentle. Do not, under any circumstances, use soap and water. Additionally, do not probe at the ear with Q-tips or other objects—this may end up driving the problem deeper into the dog's ear or even injuring him.
If you're concerned about your dog's ears becoming a problem, talk to a veterinarian about non-prescription eye & ear care regiments for your furry pal. It is likely that your vet will be able to recommend a variety of products that will help you maintain your dog's health.
Eye Care
Cat or dog eye care is essential for your pet's health. Did you know that you can clean your pet's eyes and face by gently rubbing it with a moist washrag? You should never, however, put any kind of cleaning solution in your pet's eyes unless it is prescribed or recommended by a veterinarian. Many breeds of animals have extremely sensitive eyes and you could end up doing more harm than good.
Some breeds of cats and dogs have eyes that regularly expel tears in order to protect and lubricate bulging eyes. These tears contain acidic properties that may stain areas surrounding the eyes, usually changing it to a rusty brown color. If this occurs, clean the areas gently with peroxide and cotton squares—DO NOT get peroxide in the animal's eyes.
Pay Attention to Your Pet's Eyes
It is normal for your pet to accumulate build-up in the corners of his eyes. This is an animal's natural way of clearing all dust and foreign objects from their sensitive eyes. The animal will then remove the build-up while grooming. If you notice that your pet is continuously tearing, has pus secretions, red eyes, swollen eyelids, or scratches his eyes, you could have a bigger problem. These are symptoms of illness and a vet should be contacted immediately. After examining your pet, the veterinarian will be able to instruct you on proper dog or cat eye care.
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