InfoPet - Simplify The Pet Care

When cleaning a dog’s ear, it is critical not to use anything that would tend to push any debris further into the ear canal. Cotton-tipped applicators (such as Q-tips) should not be used. Assemble real (not synthetic) cotton balls and the ear cleaning solution. It is best to use saline eye solution to clean the ear. Do not use wax removal liquid or other over-the-counter ear cleaners. Squirt enough cleaner into the ear to fill the canal. Massage the base of the ear until you hear the solution “squish.” Gently grasp the base of the ear and pull the pinna up and away from the head in order to straighten out the “L” shape of the canal. Wad the cotton into a tubular shape and gently insert it into the canal as far as it will go. Again, gently massage the base of the ear to help work debris and cleaning solution toward the cotton and dry the canal. Wait a few minutes before using any medication in the affected ear(s) as instructed by your veterinarian. You can use products available in the ...

The tubular portion of the outer ear that carries sound to the eardrum is called the ear canal. The most common disorder of the ear canal in dogs is called otitis externa. This condition occurs when the layer of cells that line the external ear canal becomes inflamed. Signs include headshaking, odor, redness of the skin, swelling, scratching, increased discharge, and scaly skin. The ear canal may be painful or itchy depending on the cause or duration of the condition. One or both ears can be affected, and signs can be sudden or longterm. Otitis externa can be caused by many different factors. Some of these factors (such as parasites, foreign objects, and allergies) appear to directly cause the inflammation, while others (such as certain bacteria, yeasts, or a middle ear infection) perpetuate the condition. To complicate things further, the shape or form of the pinnae or ear canals can predispose dogs to developing otitis externa. Identifying these factors is key to successful control o...