Ears
Check your puppy’s ears weekly, as this will reduce the chances of infection. Look for parasites such as ticks and give the inside of the ear a general clean. Dampen a cotton ball with water or a solution specifically formulated for this purpose. (Always discuss this with your vet, she will advise you on the best solution to use). Gently wipe the inside of the ear, but NEVER insert anything into your pups’ ear canal. DO NOT use an ear-bud, as you may wipe too deep inside the canal and damage it.

Look for any kind of discharge, bad smells, redness or swelling. If you see anything of this sort, take your puppy to the vet immediately.

Ear mites are not only common, they are also contagious parasites, that are easily spread between dogs and other animals like cats, rabbits and guinea pigs. Ear mites invade the ear canal of a dog and can cause serious and permanent damage to the ear if not treated. They cause itchiness and discomfort. If you see symptoms of scratching around the ears and head-shaking, it could indicate the presence of this horrible parasite. Brown or black ear wax and dry, dark wax resembling coffee grounds are classic indicators of microscopic ear mites. Only your vet can tell for sure; so do not delay taking your puppy to the vet if you see this in their ears.

Eyes

If you notice any mucus build-up, or foreign matter in or around the eyes, use a dampened cotton ball to gently dab the corners of your puppy’s eyes. DO NOT dab directly onto the eye, as the cotton fibres may go into the eye and scratch the eyeball. If your puppy has a persistent build-up of mucus or hard foreign substances, it could be indicative of an infection. Take your puppy to the vet for a check-up. Some dogs may also need the fur around the eyes to be trimmed to prevent the fur from irritating and rubbing their eyes. Speak to your groomer for advice on how to best trim this fur around the eyes. Eye irritation, may produce more tears and stain the area around the eyes on lighter fur, this can be cleaned but it is always best to check with your vet in case there is an infection of some kind.

Nails

Dogs’ nails should wear down naturally from them being exposed to hard surfaces however, it may be necessary to trim your pup’s nails. Make sure you use a nail trimmer specifically designed for dogs. You only need to take the tip off the nail, because if you cut too far in you will cut the quick of the nail which is a blood vessel. It will bleed and be painful to your pup. Ask your vet to show you exactly where to trim your pups’ nails. The best solution is always to let the professional groomer do the trimming for you.