Immediately when meeting a basset hound, you know where the term "puppy dog eyes" comes from. While the sweet, affectionate eyes may melt any dog lover's heart, caring for the droopy eyes requires a little more TLC than other breeds.
Step 1
Wash the area around your basset’s eyes every day with a clean, damp cloth. This helps remove the dirt that builds up around the pup’s droopy eyes and causes mucus to form.
Step 2
Clean the eyes with an eye wash solution recommended by your veterinarian. Since the basset’s bottom lid is close to the ground, he may not produce enough tears to remove the allergens and debris that collect in his eyes. While your pup is lying down, pull his bottom lid down with your free hand. Administer five or six drops -- as directed by your vet -- into his eyes to help keep them clean. For the droopy-eyed basset, do this about once a week.
Step 3
Dry the area around your four-legged friend’s eyes after cleaning and treating them. Use a clean, dry towel and blot the under eye area. Make sure you don’t rub or poke his eyes and cause discomfort.
Always check with your veterinarian before changing your pet’s diet, medication, or physical activity routines. This information is not a substitute for a vet’s opinion.
References
Resources
Tips
- Examine your furry friend’s eyes often for signs of changes.
Warnings
- Avoid touching his eye with the dropper. If you see yellow discharge or smell a foul odor, contact your vet immediately. Additionally, if your basset’s bottom lid rolls out, he may have a condition called ectropion, which generally requires surgery.
Writer Bio
Amanda Maddox began writing professionally in 2007. Her work appears on various websites focusing on topics about medical billing, coding, real estate, insurance, accounting and business. Maddox has her insurance and real estate licenses and holds an Associate of Applied Science in accounting and business administration from Wallace State Community College.