Good way to loosen eye gunk

[Tiger's Mom]

Originally Posted by Wylie's Mom

Marcel gets gunky/crusty at times - and it's difficult to remove when the gunk hardens. Well, I thought I'd try his "finger toothbrush" one day - and it worked really nicely! I dip it in warm water and "brush" near his eye and it really loosens the gunk. And, bc the brush is low-profile, soft, and small - I'm not worried about the brush hurting his eye.

The brush looks something like this (mine is a bit different):

http://images.1800petmeds.com/images...0/1011_420.jpg

oh I better try it too since Annika does have a lot of it all the time . . . I have a toothbrush kit (both for fingers) that I sell bue one has the gum massager so I will try to use that instead. thanks for a wonderful, wonderful tip

[jinhopark]

Originally Posted by Wylie's Mom

Marcel gets gunky/crusty at times - and it's difficult to remove when the gunk hardens. Well, I thought I'd try his "finger toothbrush" one day - and it worked really nicely! I dip it in warm water and "brush" near his eye and it really loosens the gunk. And, bc the brush is low-profile, soft, and small - I'm not worried about the brush hurting his eye.

The brush looks something like this (mine is a bit different):

http://images.1800petmeds.com/images...0/1011_420.jpg

I'll have to buy a pack of those finger toothbrushes... Our yorkie gets a nasty, dark, waxy buildup on the inside of her eyes that seems to embed itself into the hair around the eye. Someone recommended a tear stain removal solution for dogs, which does not contain alcohol or bleach and is supposedly safe to use around eyes. I've been using it for a few weeks but to be honest I don't think it works much better than just warm water...plus our yorkie smells that solution and it's the only time she will growl at me. She is awesome about everything else, we can trim her nails/hair, brush her teeth/hair, etc...but you go near her and she whiffs that tear stain remover and she goes berzerk.

I'll keep my fingers crossed that the finger toothbrushes dipped in warm water works...I know this thread is a few years old, so does anyone have any techniques that they would like to share? The last thing I want to do is give her a corneal abrasion or something...

Thanks!

[Meggie]

I use a baby's toothbrush dipped in Optrex.

[jinhopark]

Originally Posted by Meggie

I use a baby's toothbrush dipped in Optrex.

What is Optrex?

[FlDebra]

Originally Posted by jinhopark

What is Optrex?

A brand of Eye Wash, Eye Drops, etc..... I am thinking she might mean the Eye Wash.

Thanks for giving this thread a bump. I could use Ann's tip with Ben. His eyes can get crusties overnight!

[Meggie]

Yes, it's their eyewash I use, comes with a little eye bath for humans from the chemist shop.

Optrex

[RileyDC]

Originally Posted by Wylie's Mom

Marcel gets gunky/crusty at times - and it's difficult to remove when the gunk hardens. Well, I thought I'd try his "finger toothbrush" one day - and it worked really nicely! I dip it in warm water and "brush" near his eye and it really loosens the gunk. And, bc the brush is low-profile, soft, and small - I'm not worried about the brush hurting his eye.

The brush looks something like this (mine is a bit different):

http://images.1800petmeds.com/images...0/1011_420.jpg

Ohhhh that is Awesome! I usually soften it with warm water and I use a tiny blue flea comb. It works Great!!

[ChelseaAndBelle]

Originally Posted by jinhopark

Our yorkie gets a nasty, dark, waxy buildup on the inside of her eyes that seems to embed itself into the hair around the eye. Someone recommended a tear stain removal solution for dogs, which does not contain alcohol or bleach and is supposedly safe to use around eyes.

I had this same problem with my little Belle! Take a look at what kind of food you're using (We were using Beneful). I spoke with our trainer and she said that Beneful and other dog foods use A LOT of dyes, which dogs can't digest. It sits in there liver and is excreted through the tear ducts. I ended up switching her to Blue Buffalo, which is a little pricey, but I like it (and she doesn't eat as much of it because it's more filling). She still gets gunky eyes, but they're definitely NOT as bad as they were and it's definitely not dark gunky stuff.

Belle also had a problem wheezing and it has also subsided since switching her food (I think she has a corn allergy). Hope that helps!

[QuickSilver]

I am going to try the wet toothbrush. I usually try to gently pull them out every morning, but Thor is pretty patient about it, but I hate how I have to pull them away from the lids. That can't feel good. Thanks for the tip.

[mommacarrie02]

Awesome idea! Those eye goobers drive me crazy. I currently just wash down his face with baby wipes. But when they are hard, it is a bit more challenging. Thanks for the help!

Carrie & Tucker

[suda]

Going to try the Optrex, at present its a warm flannel and a tiny comb, like the finger brush idea as well so I'm off to the shops 2moro, wow George's grooming gear and clothing etc is starting to out number mine

[PrinceHenry]

Originally Posted by Wylie's Mom

Marcel gets gunky/crusty at times - and it's difficult to remove when the gunk hardens. Well, I thought I'd try his "finger toothbrush" one day - and it worked really nicely! I dip it in warm water and "brush" near his eye and it really loosens the gunk. And, bc the brush is low-profile, soft, and small - I'm not worried about the brush hurting his eye.

The brush looks something like this (mine is a bit different):

http://images.1800petmeds.com/images...0/1011_420.jpg

what an awesome idea! Mine get gunk and its painful for them if u r not careful! THX for the tip!

[JeanieK]

Originally Posted by DixiepeachVA

What a good idea. I wonder if a child sized tooth brush would work too. I use a tear free baby wash on a wash cloth to soften and a fine tooth comb, but this sounds easier.

That is how I do it also. But might give the finger brush a try.

[JeanieK]

I think there are a lot of products out there that claim to do the trick but have never heard anyone say that they work.

I've also hear the distilled water theory, did not realize it was hard on your stomach, but did read that it is not good because you need the minerals.

I clean the eyes once a week when they get their baths, but think that wiping them everyday with a wet cloth or cotton ball would probably keep it from getting hard.

[oliver44]

i love yorkietalk, great advice, thanks! Only problem is i should be doing other things but site gets me sucked in, have a great day, & enjoy the snow!!