Hear ye, Hear ye - Ear Care for your Dog

With pets, as with people, on ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. One of the best illustrations of this maxim in the pet world is ear care. Although dogs with low hanging, floppy ears are more prone to ear infections and debris accumulation, all dogs should have their ears cleaned regularly. 

The ear canal is a gateway. It needs to be open to the environment to pick up sound waves and vibrations. This also renders it vulnerable to bacteria, yeast, debris, and foreign objects such as foxtails, bugs and hair.  Wax is produced in the ear as a filter, to catch and prevent these invaders from infiltrating the middle or inner ear. Yet, left unchecked, this protective wax can build up and clog the ear canal, creating a perfect environment for infection and/or inflammation. 

Cleaning your dog’s ears weekly can help rid the canal of accumulated gunk before it has an opportunity to interfere with healthy ear function or provide a breeding ground for bacteria or yeast. 

Starting ear maintenance when your pup is young will both acclimate him to the procedure and help guard and protect against uncomfortable and potentially serious complications. 

Left untreated, an ear infection can work its way through the tympanum (eardrum), into the middle and inner ear, causing more serious concerns, as vital nerve structures and the equilibrium balance center are located in the middle and inner ear, respectively. If the infection remains untreated in the external ear canal, over time the external ear tissue becomes extremely thickened and calcified (rigid), which begins to obstruct the external ear canal. 

If you’ve waited until you notice symptoms of discomfort, such as head shaking, scratching, or discharge, you may have waited too long.  For best results, gently lift your dog’s earflap upward to straighten the ear canal, squirt an ear cleaning solution liberally into your pet's ear and massage the base of the ear between your thumb and forefinger for 20 to 25 seconds. This ensures that the cleansing solution gets a bit deeper into the ear canal. Let your pet shake out the extra solution, and then get him relaxed again for the next step.                  

• Let your pet shake out the extra solution, and then get him relaxed again for the next step.
• Use a soft cloth or a pad to remove excess wax and debris that the solution and shaking have brought up. Do not insert anything down the ear canal.   Do not use cotton swap without a supervised demonstration of the technique from a veterinary health professional.
• It may be necessary to use an ear drying powder or solution and fold earflaps back until the canal appears dry.

Some dirt or debris is normal; however if you see persistent build-up despite weekly cleanings, or note greasy, waxy, dark or odorous discharge, consult your veterinarian.

 Try to associate the procedure with some enjoyable activity or reward, and praise your pal effusively for his cooperation. In no time at all, he’ll become accustomed to the routine and won’t object. He might even enjoy the special attention! After all, the time he spends with you is the best part of his day. 

Article by Dr. Jeff Werber, DVM