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Canine
Ear Care
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Ear Infections
Clean your Dogs Ears
Dogs' Ears...Spring Cleaning isn't Enough
Ear Cleaners
Ear Infections
This is a common problem
especially with longer haired breeds, but all dogs can get ear infections.
Some hints to avoid ear infections:-
Never spray water directly into the ear canal.
Always wipe the dog’s ears out after a bath.
Seeds
Country dogs often get grass seeds down the ears, causing a head standing,
mind-bursting tickle. The onset is sudden and the vet should be seen as
soon as possible; grass seeds left down the ear can cause long-term chronic
ear problems.
Mites
Especially with dogs that sleep in close proximity to cats, ear mites
can be a problem. Invisible to the naked eye, these creepy crawlies, often
buried in wax, cause a tickle by doing a dance down the ear canal. This
condition can be diagnosed with the microscope and the vet will prescribe
suitable drops.
Haemorrhage In The Earflap
This causes it to swell up like a balloon, and usually only
occurs in older dogs that have some chronic ear trouble. Plagued by a
bad ear, they shake their heads a lot, rupturing one of the ear's tiny
blood vessels. Surgery is usually needed in such a case.
Local Allergic Reaction
Sometimes the bare underside of the earflap becomes irritated by something
in the environment such as grasses and goes red and hot. The dog shakes
its head because of the irritation and may start trouble further down the
ear. A call to your vet would be suggested.
Signs Of Ear Problems
Head shaking, rubbing the ear along the ground or scratching it are
usually the first signs of ear problems in a dog. The more chronic case
will hold its head to one side or hold the ear flattened against the head.
Any bad smell coming from the ear spells trouble. Also, any yellow discharge
should be regarded very seriously and requires an immediate visit to the
vet. Remember though in some bad ear cases there are no early signs so
you must always do a regular check.
Putting In Ear Drops
Sometimes ears do not get better under treatment because owners do
not put the drops or ointment in correctly. They often flatten the ear
across the top of the head so the ear canal closes and the drops do not
go to the bottom where they are needed. If you hold the ear up vertically
by the tip, this opens up the canal so the drops hit the spot. Then you
should massage the base of the ear where you will hear a squelching sound,
indicating the drops have collected in the right place.
Ears - One Up One Down
This condition is often due to teething as it seems the local pain
in the mouth causes the muscles that make the ears stand up to not function
properly. Some pups' ears can end up in bizarre position where they are
so erect that they cross over while others end up with one ear up and one
ear down.
Many show dog owners actually tape up their pups ears so that they
eventually stand up themselves. If the ears are not up by 4 months, and
you want your dog’s ears to stand up then taping must start to prevent
a 'soft ear'. Many good show dogs have been lost because this was not done.
Many dog owners will verify that they have had a pup that’s had a soft ear,
but with continuous taping, it slowly gets stronger and will one day hold
itself without any help.
Of course if those ears do not end up in the right place, it may spoil
your pup's chances for the show ring, but it does not detract from the
health of the pup.
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Clean your Dogs
Ears
1. Inspect
your Dogs Ears
Wax in the ears can lead to inflamation and infection.
Other problems, such as ear mites also need early detection to prevent
painful disease. When grooming your dog, check both it's ears. Gently
pull back the ear flap and inspect it and the ear canal. It should
not smell. Make sure you know what is normal for your dog. Cleaning
removes the wax-other problems may need specific vet care.
2. Choose an Ear Cleaner
There are many cleaners to choose from- the simplest being tepid
water. I choose a good cleaner with neutral pH, such as Sancerum.
These cleaners are effective and do not cause additional irritation.
Some cleaners have a soft nozzle, such as Leo. Never use chlorhexidine
as it is the cause of many ear problems. Routine ear cleaners should
not contain antibitics or steroids.
3. Routine Cleaning
When cleaning your dog's ears, you may need an
assistant to hold and reassure your pet. Gently hold the ear flap.
Place the nozzle at the junction of the flap and the ear canal, and
squeez about 3ml of fluid on to the ear. While holding the dog's head,
massage the base of the ear. When it shakes the head it will dislodge
the wax. Wipe away any excess wax with cotton wool.
4. Cleaning Sore Ears
If your dog has rapid onset ar pain or recurring
ear disease, have the animals ears checked by a vet. You can make
things much worse by filling a diseases ear with fluid. Soak a 10cm
square piece of cotton wool with fluid and use it gently to clean the ear;
you can squeeze fluid from the cotton wool into the canal. Massage
if the dog will tolerate it.
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DOGS' EARS - SPRING CLEANING ISN'T ENOUGH
When it comes to ears, there
are really just two kinds of dog owners: The ones who are vaguely aware
that dogs' ears are deep, dark, moist and mysterious places -- ideal sites
for infections and other trouble --ant the owners whose dogs require constant
ear maintenance. Both kinds of owners -- and their dogs -- would benefit
from a good spring-cleaning. And not just in the spring.
"Take a few moments -- from time to time between your regular checkups
with the veterinarian -- to examine your dog's ears and do a light cleaning,
if necessary," advises Baltimore, MD veterinarian Estelle Ward, DVM.
"If you see early signs of problems, you can head them off before they become
emergencies."
Ear Anatomy 101
Knowing where in the ear to stop and let the pros take over calls for
a brief review of canine anatomy. First is the external ear, the
part that protrudes from the side of the head or flops over, depending
on the breed? Also considered part of the external ear is the gnarled,
fleshy (and in some breeds hairy) part around the entrance to the ear canal.
That's where the cleaning will start.
From the external opening, the L-shaped ear canal descends vertically
before taking a 90-degree bend for a horizontal jaunt to the tympanic membrane
or eardrum. Inside the eardrum is the middle ear with its three little
bones that increase the force of sound vibrations and another; smaller membrane
called the oval window, also a sound amplifier that leads to the inner
ear.
Humans and dogs have pretty much the same equipment for hearing.
Except that our ear canals go straight, more or less, to the eardrums while
the dogs' take an L-shaped journey. Because you no more want to puncture
your dog's eardrum than your own, restrict your cleaning efforts to the external
ear canal -- the vertical part before the 90=degree bend -- and leave the
rest to the veterinarian, who has special equipment and advanced training.
"It's okay to go as deep as your finger will let you into the external
ear canal -- as far as you can see with a flashlight -- and gently clean
with a cotton-tipped swab," Ward advises. Cotton balls or soft, cotton
cloths work well around the entrance to the ear canal, and a gentle, veterinary-recommended
cleaner helps the process. However, hydrogen peroxide, which is sometimes
recommended, should be avoided is excess moisture is a problem. Take
note of any materials in and around the ear canal, particularly excess wax.
A dark wax may be a sign of ear mites, while a pus-like, foul-smelling discharge
may be coming from an infection.
Infections can result from yeast or bacteria that thrive in the canals
because of the near-perfect conditions: Moisture, poor air circulation,
warmth, and darkness. "The number one contributor to ear problems is
basic allergies," Ward observes. "The allergy can be anywhere on the
skin but sometimes it is manifested and most noticeable, in the feet and
in the ears.
Allergies can tip the balance in favour of bacteria or yeasts, which
are already in the ear canals because they were floating around in the air.
Excess water in the canals also can make trouble, says Ward. "Your
dog's ears are waterproof all the way to the eardrums, just like the rest
of his skin, but when a lot of water builds up in the ears, it may promote
yeast growth."
Sniff-check for Infection
A dog that scratches at its ears or appears disoriented may be pointing
to an advanced ear infection, but you can get an early warning with your
nose. Healthy dogs' ears should have a "pleasant" (in a doggy kind
of way) smell that reminds some people of beeswax. Infected ears smell
waxy, all right, but they're also disgustingly rank. In the meantime,
it's a good idea to get a "base line" by sniffing your dog's ears right
after the veterinarian gives him a clean bill of health.
Mites in the ears also can prompt the dog to scratch that area or shake
his head violently. Not all mites cause the ears to produce excess
wax, but dark brown wax could be a sign of the parasites and it only takes
three or four per ear to make a mess. Ear mites are also contagious
to other pets.
Whatever invades your pooch's ears -- micro organisms that cause infections,
mites that are bigger but still hard to see, or plant materials -- removing
them is a job for the veterinarian. Don't be surprised if he or she
needs to anaesthetize your dog to work deep in the ear canals; that's an
area dogs are very sensitive about and you wouldn't want anyone -- human
or beast -- to get hurt.
So that's it for the exam: A sniff-check and visual examination
for early signs of infection, parasites, or foreign bodies; clean no farther
than the external ear canal; and try to keep everything on the dry side.
"Even if you don't find problems -- and you usually won't -- working
around the dog's ears is a good way to desensitise him and prepare for the
time when we have to," Ward says.
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Cleaning your dogs ears
1. Mix 50/50 alcohol and vinegar
2. Fill a 20 to 50 CC syringe (without the needle on it)
3. Inject it into the ear - (not so fast that you would cause damage
and don't force it as to block the air that comes out and blow the
dogs ear drum)
4. Massage it for 60 seconds
5. Clean the ear with cotton balls (not "Q" tips)
6. If the dog requires meds - put them in after this application
With dogs that seem to have constant ear problems - clean their ears
at least once a week.
Ed Frawley
Comment:
I have just been reading your articles and I have another recipe for
ear cleaner. It is 8 parts liquid paraffin to 1 part benzyl benzoate. Both
are easily obtained from a pharmacy. The liquid paraffin bring dirt out
like you would not believe and the benzyl benzoate kills mites stone dead.
It is safe and widely used on Spaniels ears by gun dog trainers in the UK.
Many Thanks Ian Walshaw
TESTIMONIAL:
Dear sir,
After spending about As$200 on Vet treatments for my Norfolk Spaniels
brown, fungus, infected ear & my vet suggesting surgery to clean it out,
I stumbled upon your web site on alternative treatment/home treatments.
Very enthused to relieve my dog of his discomfort I raided my medicine
cupboard and came up with this mixture:
15mil Glycerine, 15mil clean water, 6 drops of tea tree oil. Mix together
& pour in ear, massage ear for 5 minutes, rinse well with lukewarm
water. Surprise! 2 weeks later the ear is still clean & pink.
If this is helpful to any one please pass it on.
Regards & thanks
Bruce & Casey ( my happy dog )
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Watch This Video on How to
Clean Your Dogs Ears
The above information is simply informational.
It's intent is not to replace the advice of a veterinarian nor to assist
you in making a diagnosis of your pet. Please consult with your own veterinarian
for confirmation of any diagnosis. Your pets life may depend on it.