COCKAPOO EYE CARE

Just as with humans, your cockapoos’ eyes are very sensitive and require special care and attention. With some small breeds in particular, the tear ducts may become clogged. They may also secrete tears which discolor the hair around the eyes.

The primary concern with regard to eye care is to prevent infection. A major part of this concern is simply a matter of hygiene, and keeping your dog’s eyes clean, caring for his eyes on a daily basis. The following suggestions will help you to form a basis of good hygiene practices.

Look into the corners of your dog’s eyes and make sure that they are free from mucus. Unwanted bacteria can thrive on mucus and in turn this can be transferred to the eyes. Seek your vet’s advice and obtain an appropriate sterile eyewash in order to get rid of such mucus.

Take a pair of blunt nosed scissors and trim hair from around your dog’s eyes. This will ensure that any long hairs do not scrape against your dog’s eyes and will help to stop any unwanted bacteria from coming into contact with his eyes.

Take care to avoid situations which might result in eye trauma. For example, if your dog were to fight with another animal, he might suffer such trauma. If your dog habitually hangs his head out of a car window he could easily suffer from small particles entering his ears or eyes which could cause infection or injury. Likewise, larger objects such as the branch of a tree or a rock thrown up by another vehicle could cause a more severe injury to your dog. Take care not to expose your dog to substances which are potential irritants, so consider where it is that you walk with him, what is on the ground, or what fumes may be in the air. Safety measures play a part when taking good care of your dog and his eyes.

For your cockapoo, take special note of tearstains. Cocker spaniels and poodles in particular do not usually have good drainage for their tears from the tear duct. Tears may spill down over the lower eyelid, and may result in staining to the hair around the eyes. Monitor your dog’s eyes, keep them clean, and trim excess hair around the eyes, as stated above.

If you see anything unusual when examining your dog’s eyes, do not delay in contacting your veterinarian. Infections in dogs’ eyes are not uncommon, but are best treated as soon as they are identified. Infections are often caused by bacteria, and may be treated with antibiotics, either as a solution or in the form of an ointment. The common infection known as conjunctivitis is identified by a green or yellow discharge, along with redness around the eyes.

If your dog does suffer from an eye infection, it will heal much more quickly if you are able to prevent your dog from scratching himself. A cone collar which covers your dog’s head, and is made from plastic, will protect your dogs face from his scratching paws.

For specific information and care of your family pet, be sure to seek the advice of your veterinarian. They will be able to show you what symptoms to look for when identifying infections or other problems, and will be able to demonstrate how best to clean your dog’s eyes to maintain good eye health.

Proper eye care is an integral part of your dog’s overall health and well being. Be sure to make eye care a regular part of your dog’s hygiene routine.