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A few dogs breeds are more vulnerable to ear infections.
Drop-eared dogs like Labrador Retrievers and Cocker Spaniels are
more susceptible to infections compared to dogs who have upright
ears. The flow of air gets hampered in floppy eared dogs.
Moisture and debris get trapped easily within the ear canal. The
pollutants fester and then becomes a yeast or bacterial
infection. The most vulnerable dog breeds in this context are the
Bichon Frise and the Poodles. The list of infection causing
factors include allergies and mites.
Regular cleaning helps
You should regularly clean your dog's ears. Cleaning them
periodically reduces the chances of infection. The frequency of
cleaning depends on your dog. The number should be just enough to
keep the ears clean but not too much to irritate its ears.
Consult the veterinarian. A few dogs need a monthly clean while
others once every week. If the dog already suffers from an ear
infection, you can be instructed to clean its ears every day or
on alternate days. Medication is a must in such cases. Do not put
in any ointment or any other medicine if the ears are not cleaned
properly. Doing so will only increase the dirty pile already
present in the ear.
It does not matter whether your dog has an infection or
not-cleaning the ears is always a good idea. A good clean is a
must when the ears look dirty, or a bad smell keeps coming out of
the ear. A yeasty smell means an infection is in the offing and
you should take the dog to the veterinarian as soon as possible.
The list of other ear infection signs includes frequent head
shaking or ear scratching by the dog, or the ears get inflamed or
red. There could also be an ear discharge. In dogs, ear
infections could be extremely painful. If it cries often, take it
to the veterinarian as quickly as you can. One sure sign of
infection is that when you touch the dog's ears , it cries.
Use fingers or tweezers You can clean your dog's
ears at home. If you feel nervous about this task, take it to the
groomer or the veterinarian. Do be aware that this service is an
expensive one. It is easy to clean your dog's ears if you have
the right supplies and know the correct techniques. Ask the
veterinarian to show you how to clean the dog's ears so that you
will feel more comfortable while doing the same task at home. If
the dog has hairs growing out of its ear canal, then you shorten
them before cleaning the ears. Easiest way is to wrap some cotton
around your fingers and slowly rotate and clean inside of the
ears. Always remember dog ears are extremely sensitive so the ore
careful you are the better.
Cleaning Dog's Ears
Before you begin to clean the ears of your four-legged family
member, it is important to know that they are sensitive. It means
you should keep a close eye on dogs' ears to keep them from
getting infections. Do understand that your dog is not in favor
of cleaning its ears. It is vital that you have to coax them to
do your bidding. The procedure is a delicate one. If you do not
do the task in a proper manner, then the procedure will result in
serious damage. A lot of homework is a must before cleaning the
ears of any dog. The more your knowledge of the subject, the
healthier your dog will be.
Positivity helps
It is said before: your dog will hate the procedure. You will
have to tackle a squirmy canine once you start the procedure. A
squirmy behavior drags the process longer and you have to tackle
more variables than a short and effective one. One excellent
method is to have a bag full of treats ready prior to starting
the process. Show it to the dog but do not give it. Make it clear
to the dog that it may get the treat if it cooperates with you on
this action.
Correct tools are a
must
Your dog's ears are similar to you. Using the wrong equipment may
render your dog deaf. Do not use a rod or pipe to clean the ears
of your dog. Have a bag full of cotton balls beside you. Take
gauze and wrap your finger with the latter. Use the two to then
the clean the ears of your dog. It is good to have gloves but it
is not essential. Just wash hands carefully after you complete
the procedure. The ear rinse arguably is the vital tool. It is
important to do the process in such a way that the dog will be
safe but the job is safely done. The ear rinse must not have any
antibiotics, alcohol, or toxic materials.
Everything must be at
hand
There must not come a time when you could not find one particular
component of the cleaning equipment in the middle of the process.
If you get up to find that piece, be prepared to fight your dog
to get it back into the desired position. Conditions could be
such that you would be forced to restart the whole process.It is
vital you follow all the rules. There can be no harm only if you
follow them. Begin on the outside and clean the way in. Continue
the process until you feel the resistance. Continuing the process
without your dog's consent may damage its ears.
