Search Results
487 results for “dog ear cleaning”
Why Does My Dog Have Bad Tear Stains?
Tear stains form when tears (water plus salts and protein) evaporate and leave dark-brown marks—and they can signal health trouble, not just looks. Causes: poor eye cleaning (dust, smoke irritation), ingrown eyelashes from eyelid inward-rolling (needs vet care), unclean ears (mites or bacteria stimulate tear glands), and oily or salty food (switch to low-salt natural kibble and more water). Some breeds (Pekingese, Chihuahua, Pug) have genetic over-tearing from bulging eyes; severe cases may need a tear-duct opening surgery. Disease (blocked ducts, tear-gland inflammation) needs a vet. Daily: gentle cleaning, trim surrounding hair, light eye massage a few times a week, and a bland diet.
Ear Mites in Dogs: Why the Smell Means Trouble
Ear mites (Otodectes) are ear-canal parasites that feed on lymph and fluid; females are 0.35–0.45 mm, males 0.275–0.36 mm—barely visible white dots. Left untreated they cause inflammation and crusting within about two weeks and can progress to middle or inner ear infection, even hearing loss and loss of balance. Signs: foul-smelling dark ear discharge, head-shaking and scratching, and sometimes worsened tear stains (the ear and facial nerves connect). Treat by isolating the dog and disinfecting its space, cleaning the canal, and applying a miticide as directed until gone; prevent with routine ear care. If it won't clear, see a vet. (Mites rarely infect people.)
Which Dogs Are Most Prone to Ear Infections?
A dog's L-shaped, narrow ear canal traps debris and invites infection. Small long-haired breeds, large floppy-eared dogs like Cocker Spaniels, Beagles, and Dachshunds, and some prick-eared breeds with tight canals such as Bulldogs are most at risk. Causes span primary (mites, allergies, tumors), predisposition (canal shape, systemic disease), and perpetuating (bacteria, fungi). Watch for head-shaking, foul discharge, and hearing loss, and keep the outer ear clean to protect the inner ear and nervous system.
My dog disappeared for a day and came back with these bumps — does anyone know what they are?
Small, round pustules on a dog's belly are usually superficial pyoderma caused by a bacterial infection, often triggered by a damp environment or lying on wet flooring. Treatment involves cleaning the area, draining the pustules, disinfecting with diluted hydrogen peroxide or povidone-iodine, and applying a vet-recommended antibacterial spray, while keeping the dog's surroundings clean and dry.
Common Old-Age Diseases in Dogs
Dogs are seniors from about seven years, showing grey fur, clouded eyes, weaker hearing, slower movement and lost teeth, all normal aging. But the risk of heart disease, joint trouble and mouth disease also climbs. Aging hearts can cause fluid buildup and breathlessness, a fading pancreas can bring obesity and diabetes, joints stiffen, eyes cloud with cataracts, coats thin, and tartar and gum disease appear. Adjust diet to avoid excess calories and keep weight down to protect joints and metabolism.
What to Do With Your Dog During the Holidays: Three Boarding Options
When you can't take your dog home for the holidays, you have three main options: home-style boarding, in-home feeding visits, or a professional facility. Sensitive or easily stressed dogs usually do best with someone coming to your home, while outgoing dogs may tolerate a kennel. Whatever you choose, your dog's safety and basic needs come first—prefer people you know and inspect any facility in advance.
Why Do Dogs Get Cavities?
The most common causes of dog cavities are poor diet and poor dental cleaning, with age and genetics also raising risk. Once found, a decayed tooth is usually extracted so it does not harm neighboring teeth, though mild cases may be filled and elderly dogs may keep the tooth if anesthesia is risky; follow your vet's advice. Prevention is key: healthy food, regular brushing, and routine dental checks keep the mouth sound.
What Causes Sepsis in Dogs and How Is It Treated?
Dog sepsis happens when bacteria such as Staphylococcus, Streptococcus, or E. coli multiply in the blood and release toxins, causing body-wide infection. Large skin wounds, bacterial diarrhea, purulent peritonitis, or open fractures can all trigger it. Early signs include fever, lost appetite, vomiting, diarrhea, weakness, rapid breathing, dilated pupils, and abnormal heartbeat. The sooner treatment starts, the better the odds, so see a vet at once if these appear. Treatment uses culture-guided antibiotics, nutritional support, symptomatic care, and restoring acid-base balance.
How to Tell If Your Dog Has Canine Distemper
Canine distemper is a highly contagious, often fatal viral disease. Watch for fever around 40°C or higher, cough, runny nose, vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy, and red swollen eyes. These signs overlap with a common cold, but distemper brings higher fever, lost appetite, cough, eye discharge, and labored breathing, while a cold usually does not. If you suspect distemper, isolate the dog at once and see a vet; treatment uses antivirals, antibiotics, and nutritional support, and early care greatly improves the odds. Vaccination remains the best prevention.
How to Choose a Reliable, Budget-Friendly Dog Dewormer
Owners often swing between over-priced imports and risky unlicensed bargains—both can harm the dog. Deworming is non-negotiable: internal worms steal nutrition and damage the gut, while heartworm stays silent until it is serious, and external pests spread disease to people too. This guide explains why deworming matters, the active ingredients by parasite type (including the Collie warning on ivermectin), and how to choose and use a product safely—spectrum, convenience, credentials, correct dosing, and the myths that lead owners astray.