Here we can see, “How to Clean Your Dog’s Ears”
Cleaning your dog’s ears is an important aspect of his basic grooming routine. Ear cleaning is recommended for all dogs, but some dogs require more frequent and thorough cleaning than others. This is especially true for dogs like the Bluetick Coonhound, who are prone to ear infections. Fortunately, cleaning your dog’s ears at home is simple. You just want to make sure you do it correctly to avoid causing any harm.
Table of Contents
The Anatomy of a Dog’s Ear
For grooming purposes like this, it’s always a good idea to become familiar with your dog’s anatomy. This can help you avoid any damage when cleaning and gain a better grasp of what you’re looking at. The ear of a dog is a fairly complicated structure:
- The pinna is the visible outside flap of the ear. This pinning will flop in some dogs while standing upright in others. Some dogs with floppy ears are more likely to get ear infections because their ears don’t let as much air into the ear canal.
- The external canal is located just inside the visible ear hole. This canal runs vertically along the side of the head before turning inward (horizontal canal). The canal is coated in skin and contains cartilage that generates surface ridges and folds. There are glands in the external canal that discharge wax and oil (sebum) into the ear.
- The eardrum marks the end of the external canal (tympanic membrane). This is a thin tissue that vibrates in reaction to sound waves and aids hearing. The middle and inner ear are likewise protected by the tympanic membrane.
- The middle ear is located behind the eardrum, followed by the inner ear. The delicate structures linked to hearing and balance are found in these locations. Damage to the inner or middle ear can severely impair a dog’s hearing and balance. In certain circumstances, the harm is irreversible.
Preparing to Clean Your Dog’s Ears
Cleaning your dog’s ears is best done in the tub or outside. This is a fantastic activity to do right before a bath. When the dog shakes its head, the ear dirt and cleaner must go somewhere, and that somewhere includes your walls and you, so be cautious. To keep your dog clean and dry, wrap a towel around it or place one below it. You might also need a towel to keep dry.
Examine the ears before washing them. This allows you to assess how unclean they are and look for additional hair. If your dog’s ear canal has a lot of hair, it could need to be plucked. You can use your fingers, tweezers, or hemostats to achieve this. A dog-specific ear powder may be useful in holding the hair. Consult your groomer or veterinarian for advice on how to pluck your dog’s ears safely.
What You’ll Require
Avoid cleaners that contain alcohol or hydrogen peroxide when looking for products to clean your dog’s ears since these can cause irritation.
- Ear cleaning solution recommended by veterinarians, such as Epi-Otic by Virbac
- Cotton balls, cotton pads, or gauze squares
- Tweezers or hemostats (for dogs with too much hair in the ear canals)
- A towel or two
Add Ear Cleaner
Begin by holding the ear flap up and squirting a few drops of ear cleaner around the ear opening on the inside of the flap. Next, gently insert the bottle’s tip into the ear and squeeze it gently.
Ear Massaging
Begin rubbing the base of the dog’s ear before it can shake its head (this is the bottom part near the jaw where cartilage can be felt).
The sound of smacking should be audible.
You can help the cleanser fill the ridges in the canal and release ear dirt by massaging. You can let go and let your dog shake after rubbing for a few seconds (more for particularly unclean ears). For this point, you might wish to look aside or hold up a towel.
Wipe the Ear Canal
After your dog has had a good shake, lightly moisten cotton or gauze with ear cleaner. Wipe out the ear canal with cotton or gauze and your finger. You can put your finger as far as it will go in the ear canal without forcing it.
Repeat the procedure if the ear still appears filthy. If your dog’s ear becomes red or bleeds, or if your dog appears to be in pain, stop.
Continue with the second ear and repeat the process. Wipe away any visible debris and thoroughly dry your dog’s head. Make sure you reward them with a treat and lots of praise.
Problems and Proofreading Techniques
Never push a cotton-tipped applicator into your dog’s ear when cleaning, since you could harm the eardrum.
The tip of the cleaning bottle should not reach deeper into the dog’s ear than what you can see. Squeezing the cleanser into the ear should not be done with too much force.
Ear infections can be avoided with regular cleaning. You can assist in drying the ear by removing wax and debris from the canal with an appropriate ear cleaner.
Dogs accumulate wax and trash more quickly than humans. Some dogs have very little ear accumulation and just require ear cleaning on occasion. Other dogs require weekly or biweekly ear cleanings. Examine your dog’s ears on a frequent basis and discuss your dog’s needs with your veterinarian. Over-cleaning can irritate the skin, while under-cleaning can lead to excessive accumulation.
User Questions
How do I naturally clean my dog’s ears at home?
Squeeze a canine ear cleaning solution directly into your dog’s ear canal and massage the area for less than a minute (available from an internet pet retailer or your veterinarian). Keep your dog as still as possible. When your dog shakes its head to get rid of the solution, keep a towel nearby to catch the liquid. (This may be a fun project to work on outside.) Wipe up the residue with cotton swabs or gauze, never going deeper than half an inch into your dog’s ear canal.
How often should I clean the ears of my dog?
Unless they look dirtyier than normal, once a month. (And if this happens frequently, perhaps you should see your veterinarian.)
Is it possible to clean a dog’s ears with vinegar?
Yes! A 50/50 vinegar/water solution is just as effective as store-bought treatments.
What’s the brown stuff in my dog’s ears?
Earwax that is dark brown or black is frequently associated with yeast and/or bacterial ear infections. If your earwax is this colour, you should visit a veterinarian. Earwax that is light brown is typical and anticipated. It could be an indication of infection if the wax is accompanied by an odour or irritation.
How do you get brown gunk out of a dog’s ear?
Instead, use a cotton ball to wipe the outer ear. Continue to check your dog’s ears on a frequent basis. If brown discharge starts to come out of your dog’s ears, you can use a small amount of vet-approved canine ear cleaning solution, which you can find at any pet store.
Conclusion
I hope you found this helpful guide. If you have any questions or comments, don’t hesitate to use the form below.
