It’s that time of year! Many dogs look forward to the Shaggy Pines Pond all year round! And while we love seeing our dogs enjoying the water, playing and swimming, chasing balls, frisbees, and sticks and splashing around, it can also mean more post-park grooming care for owners. 

After any kind of swimming, whether in a lake, pond, ocean, or even a chlorinated pool, it is a good idea to give your dog a good rinse with clean water. While we are rinsing our dog’s coats, we can feel for any sand, sticks, or other fun debris that may have gotten stuck in longer coats. We can also feel for any developing hair mats, check their toes and nails for injuries, and rinse any contaminants that may have been in the water. 

If your dog tends to get water in their ears (shaking their head or scratching at their ears after a visit to the pond) you may use a veterinary approved ear rinse with a drying agent (such as Virbac Epi-Otic or Dechra EpiKlean) to help rinse pond water out of the ear canals and help them dry out. To do this, fill each ear canal with the solution, gently massage the ear base (you may hear the “squishing sound” of the liquid being massaged in the ear canal), and allow your dog to shake their head to remove the solution. You may use a cotton ball to remove any debris around the outer ear cartilage folds and dry the ear. You never want to use a Q-tip or stick anything into your dog’s ears. 

If you notice your dog’s eyes seem red or irritated after swimming or playing in the sand, you may gently rinse their eyes with a sterile saline eye wash (available at the local drug store). It’s important to know that eye injuries can escalate quickly, so if your dog’s eyes are still red, itchy, your dog is blinking or rubbing at them, or you have any other concerns, please schedule a veterinary visit as soon as possible. 

The last important step of post-pond care is drying. It is important to dry your dog thoroughly and brush them out. Towel drying may not be enough and some long hair dogs may require a hair dryer/blow dryer to get them completely dry. Hair mats can form and trap moisture next to the skin which may lead to skin infections, irritations, ulcerations, and can become quite painful. In some cases, dogs may need to be shaved to the skin if the hair mats and/or skin infection are severe. 

I hope these grooming tips help you and your dog continue to enjoy the Shaggy Pines Pond this year!! 

However, if you ever have questions or concerns about your pet’s skin, ears, eyes, or any other concerns, please schedule a visit with your veterinarian for an examination. Sometimes mild clinical signs become more than just a grooming issue and may require medical attention. 

Enjoy! 

Dr. Becky Brockman