| When it comes to grooming our dogs, their eyes and ears can often get overlooked. Cleaning both is an important way to avoid infections, relieve allergy symptoms, and keep them healthy, but it needn't be a chore!
Here's how you can give your dog's ears and eyes a quick and healthy clean right at home. |
How to clean your dog's eyes:
- Move hair away from eyes. If hair must be trimmed, please seek the help of a professional groomer or veterinarian.
- Slight discharge or "eye gunk" is normal, but make sure to check for excessive discharge, redness, itching, or other signs of irritation.
- Using a dropper, gently flush eyes with a specially formulated eye wash such as Vetericyn Plus® Eye Wash to reduce tearing and buildup, and relieve itching and burning. TIP: Start at the outside corner and flush toward the inside of the eye.
- Saturate a cotton wipe with eye solution and clean any tear stains surrounding eyes. Avoid rubbing or touching the eyeball. Then gently pat dry.
- Use a specially formulated gel, such as Vetericyn Plus® All Animal Ophthalmic Gel, to soothe residual eye irritation and offer protection.
How to clean your dog's ears:
- Move hair away from ear. If hair must be trimmed, please seek the help of a professional groomer or veterinarian.
- Look inside the ear for dirt, scratches, parasites, or discharge, and note any unusual odor.
- Using a dropper, gently flush ears with a specially formulated rinse such as Vetericyn Plus® All Animal Ear Rinse, to remove debris, reduce buildup and odor, and relieve itching and burning.
- Use gauze or cotton balls to wipe outer part of ear, then move to inner ear. Tip: a cotton ball rolled into the shape of a cigar can be used to soak up excess liquid and debris in the ear. Remember to clean only to the point where you feel resistance. DO NOT push on inner ear.
- Allow dog to shake their head to eject any remaining liquid or debris.
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Vetericyn Plus® Eye Wash & Antimicrobial Ophthalmic Gel help remove foreign materials and tear stains, and relieve eyes suffering from allergies, burning, or stinging. Vetericyn Plus® Ear Rinse helps soothe dry, itchy ears, remove foreign materials, and reduce ear odors.
Vetericyn Plus® products are non-irritating, safe if licked or ingested, and free of steroids and antibiotics. Contact your veterinarian immediately if irritation persists or if you notice any unusual discharge. |
Dr. Melinda J. Mayfield-Davis, DVM, WCHP-AH, brings over 20 years of experience in veterinary medicine. She is the Technical Services Veterinarian with Innovacyn, Inc., parent company of Vetericyn Animal Wellness. She received her DVM from Oklahoma State University and now resides in Southeast Kansas with her husband, two children, four dogs, and six horses. Prior to working with Innovacyn, Dr. Mayfield owned and operated the Animal Care Center in Columbus, KS.
