Pomeranian eyes and ears: routine checks and warning signs

A brief check in good light

Look at both eyes and ears while your dog is relaxed. Note whether the eyes are equally open, whether discharge is new and whether face rubbing has increased. Lift the ear flap gently and inspect what you can see.

Do not turn every inspection into a search for something to remove. A photograph of the normal appearance can provide a useful reference. If your Pomeranian objects to handling on one side of the head, avoid repeatedly forcing the check; record the response and seek advice.

Tear stains and damp facial hair

Excess tearing has different causes, including irritation and altered drainage. Staining can be mainly cosmetic, but new or increasing tearing deserves assessment. Avoid peroxide near the eyes.

After disease has been excluded, agree on simple care for the surrounding hair: gentle removal of debris and keeping the area dry. Do not expect every stain to disappear in a week. Check whether a product is intended for surrounding skin or for the eye itself; these are different uses.

[2] VCA: eye discharge in dogs

A painful eye needs prompt attention

Squinting, a closed eye, marked redness, cloudiness, unusual discharge or trauma warrants prompt contact with a clinic. Severe injury or sudden loss of vision needs immediate care.

Call with the onset time and any possible contact with a branch, shampoo or another animal. Do not delay while looking for a photograph of a matching disease. Where possible, prevent rubbing and follow the clinic's transport advice. Do not try to remove an embedded object. A dog still eating or playing may nevertheless have a painful eye problem.

[3] VCA: urgent eye issues

Why leftover drops are unsuitable

Steroid eye medicines are contraindicated when a corneal ulcer is present. Redness alone cannot tell you whether such damage exists. A product prescribed for an earlier problem should not automatically be reused.

An examination may include tear measurement, corneal staining and eye-pressure measurement. Ask what the findings mean and when reassessment is needed. Bring old bottles or photographs and state when they were opened. Unsupervised treatment before examination can alter the findings and delay appropriate help.

[4] ACVO: common ocular tests · [5] Merck: ophthalmic anti-inflammatory agents

Inspect ears; clean when appropriate

Healthy ears do not necessarily need frequent cleaning, and overcleaning can irritate them. Smell, pain, redness, discharge and head shaking warrant assessment. Cornell advises avoiding cleaners containing alcohol or hydrogen peroxide.

If cleaning is prescribed, request a demonstration and written frequency. Do not insert cotton buds deeply or automatically pluck hair simply because a salon offers it. Discuss post-bathing care for your own dog, especially after previous ear inflammation. Keep the recommended cleaner identifiable so another person does not substitute a different product.

[1] Cornell: cleaning a dog's ears

Bring a clear history

Record whether one or both sides are affected, previous episodes, products used and how quickly anything changed. Keep eye and ear notes separate: the same word discharge describes different problems.

At rechecks, show progress and confirm when treatment ends even if appearance has improved. Agree on what to do if signs return. Store bottles so ear products cannot be mistaken for eye medicines. Avoid decanting them into identical unlabelled containers, and keep written instructions with the correct product.