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Papillon Grooming Tips

The Papillon is an easy dog to keep looking good. In fact, on their own, they are irresistible. Here are some tips for the following concerns that Papillon owners have:

Yellow in Hair:

  • Mix together a paste of hydrogen peroxide and baking soda. It will make a thick paste which dries out quickly. I just keep adding amounts of the peroxide to keep it moist. Work it into the coat, let it sit 15- 20 minutes. Brush out the now powdery substance. Wash with a whitening shampoo and your dog will glow white.

 

Watery Eyes: Papillon eyes water and the coat will stain. Here is a list of ideas I have accumulated over the years.

  • Some Papillon owners claim that changing the diet has gone a long way in reducing the watery eyes of their youngsters.

  • Using filtered water also is an aid.

  • Adding a teaspoon of Apple Cider Vinegar can reduce the watery eyes.

  • In the baking section of groceries, you will find canned buttermilk powder. Dressing their food with some of this will change the acidic level of their tears. This is a favorite way to reduce watery eyes. Adding plain yogurt is one more way to change the pH and reduce the tearing.

  • Eye Envy

  • Angel eyes: I don't use this because it has Tylosin in it and would rather feed the harmless buttermilk.

  • Tylosin Phosphate from Nature's Farmacy.   It is marked as for respiratory treatment for poultry . Helps with loose stools too.

  •  Vaseline:  Wipe the creases out  and apply it,then the next day, you wipe away the old Vaseline and you will be surprised at how much of the discoloration comes away with the tissue.  Then put on a fresh coat of Vaseline - within a short time, there are  no stains and the Vaseline is now protecting the skin/hair so the tears cannot produce stains.  But if you stop, the stains will come back and you do need to do it daily.

  • Pure Lanolin---you have to order it from a pharmacy.  It is thick, white and lasts.  Lanolin is the closes product to the natural oil in the skin.  I like it on dry lips in winter, it fixes dry heels (be sure to put on socks!) overnight. It is not expensive

  • Corn Starch – a dab near the eye so any drainage solidifies and wipe it off each day. It will stop the streaks and is cheap. I find stress, hormones, genetics etc all can play a part in causing the tearing. Teething is also a big factor that can change after it is done.

     

Teeth Cleaning:

  • Have regular dental work done

  • Brush your dog's teeth.

  • Feeding a RAW chicken bone goes a long way in preventing tooth decay. Wings or necks are best choices for Papillons.

Coat Condition:

  • Diet and genetics are 2 of the shaping factors on coat length. Age also is very important. The fluffy furrballs at 3 months of age turn into almost naked dogs by 4 months of age, but as a dog matures, their coat lengthens with each passing year.

Papillon Ear Fringe

  • Use human hair shine serum. After a bath, put is on and gently brush it through. No matting afterwards!

Ear Infections in dogs (Labradors and Papillons):

When my dogs developed red ear canals, I would use the "blue stuff" on them.  It really did clear up external ear canal issues.  Here is the recipe:

 4 teaspoons of glycerin

1  16 oz bottle of plain rubbing alcohol

4 Tablespoons of Boric Acid Powder

16 drops of Gentian Violet- have your druggist order it for you

Mix to form a suspension. You will have to really shake the powder to dissolve it. Shake before every application. Ues an eye dropper or syringe to pour in ear canal. Hold the ear closed and massage it around at the base to help it to get into the ear. Fill ear a second time.  Hold a towel over the ear area of the head, let the dog shake it out.  Avoid getting it on you because the gentian violet can dye some fabrics a light blue. If the dog winces or yelps when the solution is dribbled into the ear well or when rubbing that the infection or mites are too deep for the lay person to effectively treat, so that is your sign you get to go to the Vet for evaluation and treatment.

 

The alcohol dries the ear out

The boric acid powder soothes the inflamed tissue

The gentian violet is a mild anti-yeast,  anti-bacteria solution 

Another way to treat is by using Zymox. It is a natural product that you can get with our without hydrocortisone. Go without if your female is pregnant. You do not need a prescription and it can be found on Amazon.

 

Things  NOT to do.

Do not EVER put any product into an ear that might be perforated.

DO NOT switch around different ear meds without killing off the infection. If you use one ear med and the infection returns, do a culture and sensitivity and know exactly what you're fighting and what you need to kill it.

Do NOT ever put hydrogen pyroxide in the ear. It leaves a powdery residue that "stuff" just loves to grow in.

Do NOT use Qtips in the dog's ear

There is a great article by Helen L. McKinnon in www.ItsForThe Animals.com  entitled Blue Power Ear Treatment from “It’s For The Animals! Natural Care & Resources by Helen L. McKinnon.  Copyrighted 1995-2005. For those who would like more detail.

  
 
This is from the Merck Veterinary web site:

Hydrogen Peroxide 3% To induce vomiting after accidental ingestion of a poison. 1 Tbls. per 10 Lbs. Up to 3 times, 10 minute intervals, until vomiting occurs

 

 

 

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