One smelly ear!

[Potter]

Originally Posted by Phyberlink

How do you all clean the ears? , No one mentioned on a routine ear cleaning, regardless of an infection. I usually put cotton balls before Duchess bath, but they fall off in the tub, I am not familiar on how to clean her ears. Thanks in advance.

I didn't know there was supposed to be a routine ear cleaning either and didn't really do it with the dogs I had before but my current vet insists on a routine weekly ear cleaning. He says once a dog gets ear infection, its hard to eradicate and especially my puppy came to me with a smelly ear in the first place. Just get a good ear cleaning solution that contains a drying agent and with no alcohol preferable as they sting if your dog's ears have lacerations. Squeeze some liquid into their ears, no need to be too much just to a point of you are able to massage the base of their ears and hear the liquid inside. I learn that squeezing for 2 seconds is enough to have enough liquid in their ears to produce that sound. Then get a cotton ball and wipe it dry. Your dog will probably rub himself all over the carpet..mine does...he hates it. One bottl(4 oz)e lasts a little more than a year so get one with a longer expiry date.

[KathyinCali]

Originally Posted by Potter

I think you can get it online (not sure about petstore never seen it) but I bought mine from the vet because puppy's ears smell bad when we got him and I didn't want to wait to get it elsewhere. It is manufactured by DVM and is alcohol free (it says on the bottle). I have heard of white vinegar for ear problems and some even mix white vinegar with alcohol and it does work for cleaning their ears and killing the bacteria but it is not as soothing for the ears and it is actually painful if your dog's ears has lacerations in it according to my vet.

Edit: Just a quick note. When I bath him, I never rinse his head to avoid water going in. I use a washcloth with a little shampoo for his face area and wipe it clean many times with a damp washcloth. Ear infections can cause big problems in their little head so its best to avoid getting any water into their ears at all.

Thanks for the tips!