So, there you are, washing a dog as you have a bazillion times before; when the dog zigs, you zag and plop! Shampoo right in the pup's eye. Now what?
Because professional groomers use professional quality shampoos, which are almost always sold in concentrated form, chances are that you have properly diluted the product, which is good news. When used as directed, the diluted shampoo is kinder to the eyes than if it were concentrated.
Also, species-specific formulated shampoos have been tested for gentleness. Become familiar with the manufacturer's instructions on each type of shampoo you use and follow their guidance on proceeding if the products come in contact with eyes. Insecticidal shampoos tend to be particularly irritating, so read those labels with extra care.
The cleansing agents in the shampoo can disrupt the normal eye chemistry and obviously should not be left in contact with the delicate eye tissue. The first step should be gently flush the eye with cool or tepid tap water. Tilt the dog's head so the water will wash from one corner of the eye to the other. If you have city water, it probably contains chlorine and other additives that could potentially be irritating to the eye, so once you have the visible shampoo rinsed, stop the water flow and go to the next step. What is the next step?
I recommend that groomers keep two bottles of sterile saline solution near their bathing area. You will find sterile saline at your local pharmacy. You do NOT want contact lens solution, which often comes in similar bottles. When in doubt, ask the pharmacist what to use for flushing eyes. (Pro Tip- never touch the bottle's opening to the pet or any other surface because you may contaminate the solution.
That is why I recommend keeping a spare bottle around; if I accidentally touch the tip to something, I toss it and reach for my backup.) Next, rinse the eye very well with the saline solution. Saline is pH balanced and soothing to the eye as it works to remove any shampoo the tap water missed. It is inexpensive, so be generous in flushing any possible shampoo residue out of the eye.
The biggest problem usually is that the dog's eye feels funny after all that rinsing, and the dog may rub the eye on its towel or at home on the carpet or furniture, causing further irritation, sometimes even scratching the cornea. It's essential to tell the pet owners if the pet got shampoo in the eye during the bath so they can watch the dog's behavior after grooming. Explain your steps to solve the problem and encourage them to seek veterinary attention if the eye becomes swollen or irritated.
Many groomers use facial washes or shampoos designed to be particularly gentle on the head and faces of pets. While this is often a good choice, it is not guaranteed that no irritation will occur, and a dog can still give a mighty shake and get some of their body shampoo smack dab in their eye despite our best efforts. Being prepared to handle the situation on the spot is the best way to prevent a serious "oops."
By Daryl Conner, MPS, MCG
Daryl Conner has been devoted to making dogs and cats more comfortable and beautiful for almost 40 years. You can find her happily working at FairWinds Grooming Studio with her daughter and infant granddaughter, or typing away at her latest grooming-related article. Daryl was awarded both a Cardinal Crystal Award and Barkleigh Honors Award for journalism. She shares her meadow-hugged antique Maine farmhouse with her practically perfect husband and too many animals.
