EYES AND EARS

Allowing your dog to drive with you while his head is out the window or in the back of an open pick-up bed are the two main ways this condition generally occurs. Vehicle speed, combined with dust, dirt, bugs or even smaller plant material that may have been picked up by the wind of nature or the swirl created in the back of a truck can easily find it's way into the dog's eyes. Once there, if not actually stuck into the eye, as can happen, these foreign bodies generally move to the inner corner of the eye where they build up and irritate the conjunctival sac. The area can become reddened, swollen and appear bloodshot. The eye may also run and the excreetion may tend to glue the eye closed. Pain and itching may be present. Often, as an untreated situation progresses, a bacterial infection will set in. If not treated properly, the infection may lead to blindness. Treatment generally consists of flushing the affected eye with a mild solution and the application of an antibiotic or sulfur and an antiseptic . Rubbing the eye only increases the injury. Dewclaws must be taped to the dogs leg or an "Elizabethan Collar" applied to prevent scratching of the eye. Dewclaws can actually rip the eye open. Air born materials are generally collected by bigger dogs but, smaller dogs can be in this group also. The material that most effects small dogs seem to be their or other's hair, house dust and lint. It is wise to check your small dog's eyes at least every other day. Most material that collects in the eye can be easily removed by taking ONE square of toilet tissue and fold it a couple of times to form a very sharp point. Holding this "super eye cleaner" about one inch from the point (having a helper hold the dog's head) gently contact the "eye booger", while touching the eye itself, on the side nearest the eye pupil and gently move it toward the bridge of the nose preforming a lifting motion as the "booger" clings to the tissue and moves out of the eye. If you don't get the "booger" out with the first pass, make another tool. Once it becomes damp, it will not work well again. This is a very safe procedure. The folded tissue is soft in it's own right and the moment it contacts the dampness of the eye it becomes even softer so, there's little to no chance of hurting your dog's eye. We preform this procedure everyday in out grooming shop without a "hitch".

EARS:

Ears are something we really need to check at least once per week. Dogs that have high-standing ears with little hair growing inside will be the ones that will generally have the least ear problems. Tall, less hairy ears offer free air circulation and light which reduces moisture and creates a condition not as conducive to ear mites and infections. These dogs do have more opportunity to capture things like "Fox-tails" and other seeds in the ears. If your tall eared dog shows any of the head holding/rubbing signs listed below, but not the hotness, foul smell or grime, have his ears checked for foreign items deep in the ear canal. Fox-tails can puncture the ear drum and cause extreme pain, infection and hearing loss. Those that have flopped over ears or ears with considerable hair growing inside are much more susceptible to problems. Ear mites are very tiny creatures that are difficult/impossible to see with the naked eye but, can cause your dog to develop an infection that can, if not properly treated, lead to hearing loss. This type of ears offer the perfect moist, dark and many times dirty environment for the propagation of ear mites. These little devels burrow into the tissue of the ear creating voids where bacteria and fungus can enter. When things reach this state, and not noticed right away, the infection can become serious and be quite costly to correct. We have seen ear infections where the owner has spent over $300.00 at the vet's to cure. The treatment involves a very deep cleaning, topical mite treatment and antibiotics. There is one very easy way to be sure your dog NEVER get ear mites. That way is to use a product made by Pfizer Animal Health which is called "Revolution". This product is a topical placed on the skin, between the dogs shoulder blades once per month that protects against Heartworms, Ticks, Fleas, and Ear Mites. For heartworms and ticks it only need to be used during the season that harbors mosquitoes and ticks but, if used all year round, your dog will never have the possibility of having a flea problem nor an ear mite problem (contracted from another dog or area where they may be). We use Revoluton 12 months per year and have done so for years. It is an extremely safe Product. Ear mites will happen every now and then. The cost of Revolution, even over the course of a year, will be far less then a bout or two with an ear mite problem/infection. Revolution is a prescription medication and must be obtained from your Vet.

Your groomer SHOULD be removing 75% of the hair inside the ears and thoroughly cleaning each ear during your regular grooming appointment. Just removing the easy to reach hair is not enough. Mosquito hemostats ( small 6" styles) must be used to reach deeply, but VERY CAREFULLY into the lower areas of the ears. If this hair is not removed it will continue to grow and eventually compact or nearly compact which will surely cause problems. We have seen lengths of hair you wouldn't believe (1 1/2" up to 2 1/2" in length) in an ear that was only 1 1/2" long. The mass of hair was all coiled up deep in the ear canal.

Signs that your dog may need, anywhere from a simple cleaning to seeing a Vet. to correct an infection, may be scratching at his ear with his hind foot more than just now and then, rubbing his ear on the carpet, chair or grass, shaking his head violently and often and/or holding the affected ear tipped downward (on a 30-45 degree angle) while walking or sitting. An ear infection is quite painful when it is mild and can become extremely painful as it matures.

Signs of infection to look for:

The inside of the ear will look reddened and swollen. There will be a red-brownish, foul smelling accumulation inside and the ear may feel "hot" compared to normal.

Mild cases, caused by the accumulation of light wax and dirt can be treated at home or you can take your pet to a Qualified Groomer. To do this at home, dampen a "stretched-out" cotton ball or a gauze square with Witch Hazel (available at a drug store) or dilute a little rubbing alcohol to 50 % with clean water, or use a diluted solution of 1-2% Iodine and GENTLY remove as much debris as you can. If you feel the need to use a few Q-Tips to get into the tight spots, BE VERY CAREFUL AND NEVER GO DEEPLY INTO THE EAR CANAL. IF YOU DON'T KNOW WHAT YOUR DOING, YOU COULD PUNCTURE THE EAR DRUM CAUSING YOUR DOG TO EXPERIENCE EXCRUCIATING PAIN AND GOING DEAF!

If the ear looks quite nasty, has a bad smell and is hot, call your Vet., tell him/her what you have found and make an appointment NOW.