If you've been to see us lately, you'll know about the Pup Report -- an assessment of your dog's external health that we do while we groom your dog. No, it's not a report card grading you on how horrible a dog owner you are -- no one wants to be graded, do they? Especially since we're all grown-ups. It is, however, a great way to keep track of your pup's health -- both for us and for you -- in case there are issues that need some attention, like matted fur or ears that tend to get infected. We're here to help you help your dog stay clean, healthy, and comfy.
Let's talk about the eyes, y'all. If eyes are the window to the soul, then let's keep 'em clean so we can see in there! You can do the easy maintenance in between salon visits, simply by wiping your dog's eyes gently with a damp cloth or moistened cotton ball. Just make sure to wipe from the corner outward, and make sure not to touch the eye itself so you don't scratch it.
Got eye issues? Some of the most common are tear stains and the same kinds of irritations and infections that humans can get (conjuctivitis, clogged tear ducts, styes -- all of which your vet can help you out with). Tear stains are common in many breeds, such as poodles, and show up more easily in pups with light-colored fur. Smart people call tear stains epiphora (you're welcome, now you sound like you know what you're talking about); severe cases need attention from a vet or a veterinary opthalmologist. If your dog doc determines that the tear stains are not signs of a serious underlying condition, then really they're just a cosmetic thing. You can help reduce them by regular cleaning of the area around the eye, by keeping fur around there trimmed close so that it doesn't poke into and irritate or injure the eye. Consider changing your dog's diet, 'cause he might just have allergies that are causing his eyes to run, just like we humans have to deal with in hay fever season. And we can recommend some products in our salons that keep the eye area looking as nice and clean as it actually is.
So there you have it: your daily lesson in how to earn the wag. Now go do it.
Learn even more: How to Give Your Dog an At-Home Eye Exam