It’s said eyes are the windows to the soul. I’d then say the face is a frame for those windows.

I am often presented with pets whose owners say, “He/she doesn’t look right.” This guide to common abnormalities of the face and head is intended to help you spot problems quickly, so treatment can be begin soon.

This list is merely a starting point and is in no way complete.

Head

• Any open sores or wounds need to be looked at by a doctor, especially if they are draining or have a discharge.
• Tilting of the head to one side may indicate a severe ear infection or possible neurologic problem.

Face

• Any asymmetry (such as lumps or deviations) should be evaluated because they may be due to a growth, abscess or neurologic problem.

Eyes

• Look for any redness in the whites of the eyes (i.e. “bloodshot”).
• Thick or mucoid discharge may be a sign of eye infections.
• Discharge that is any color other than clear, white or pale gray may be a sign of potential trouble, as is squinting or rubbing at the eyes.

Ears

• Ear infection may be characterized by excessive redness on the inner surfaces of the ears.
• Dark discharge (either crusty or waxy) can signal several problems, from yeast infections to ear mites.
• “Soupy” discharge (usually yellow-green in color) is often the hallmark of bacterial ear infections. Owners often report there is a “squishing” sound when the base of the ears are rubbed.
• An abnormal bulging of ears, sort of like a bubble, is most likely a hematoma. Hematomas are basically pockets of blood or blood clots between the layers of the ear or other parts of the body.

Nose

• Some discharge from the nose may be normal (i.e. “cold wet nose”), but these tend to be clear and watery.
• Mucoid or thick discharge needs to be addressed as this is probably due to an infection or allergy problem.
• A bloody nasal discharge may point to a severe nasal infection, nasal tumor or trauma; this type of discharge should not be ignored.

Mouth

• I don’t expect anyone to open and thoroughly examine any pet’s mouth; however, if blood is noted around the mouth, let a doctor know. Also, if a pet seems to be in pain when trying to eat (cries or consistently drops food) it needs to be checked out. A tooth root abscess or other oral disease could cause either of these situations.

If you have any concerns about your pet, always contact your pet’s doctor.