Dog Eyes

Our dogs' eyes require very little attention. The only hygiene necessary is the removal of surplus hair that may curl inward and irritate the eyes, and the removal of exudates from the inner corners where the tears of the eyes overflow in many breeds. Spaniels and Toy Poodles arc two breeds that often exhibit soiled spots below the inner corners of the eyelids which may discolor the hair. Pekingese dogs with large wrinkles of skin close to the eyes need to have the hair on these ridges kept short to prevent it from touching the eyeballs. Such hair may be kept matted down with Vaseline.

Most people believe that dogs such as Poodles, Old English Sheep-dogs, Kerry Blue Terriers, and many mongrels will become blind if the hair is clipped from in front of their eyes. This is not true. The hair may be harmful. These dogs sometimes have mats and caked areas where the eyes' secretions have built up a mass of material under which the skin is generally irritated. Only very fastidious owners who groom their dogs frequently should let hair grow long over the eyes. Even then the eyeballs may easily be injured.

Every hunter knows how dogs' eyes look the day after a hunt .Hounds hunt with heads to the ground, plowing through reeds, brush,and tall grass. Seeds, dust, and vegetable fibers that fill their eyes are sometimes too coarse to wash out with tears and wind up caking around the eyes. In such cases, the eyes should be washed with warm water and dried with a soft cloth. Tears are a better antiseptic than boric acid. For comfort, administer a mild antiseptic like a nonprescription human eye irrigating fluid or ask your veterinarian for a prescription. It is wise to keep a supply of these drugs on hand for all dogs that have a tendency to sore eyes.