Cleaning Your Dogs' Ears
Owning a dog is a big responsibility, and with responsibility comes a lot of work. Just like children, our furry pals depend on us to do certain things for them. The one main difference is that they'll never "grow up" and be able to do these things by themselves. It will be a lifelong commitment, and we'll need to take care of them as long as they bless us with their presence.
One of the responsibilities is cleaning their ears.
It's a five-minute job and not all dogs require this on a daily basis, but for some it is imperative. Breeds that have floppy ears, like golden retrievers, basset hounds, Irish setters, etc. are a few that do require attention.
Yeast accumulates inside of their ears and can cause irritation and itchiness. If this is left untreated, they can get severe damage to their ears.
First Things First. Check With Your Vet
First, check with your dog's veterinarian and have them look inside your pup's ears to make sure they don't have ear mites, yeast, or infections in their ears. As you might have surmised, I can't stress enough how important it is to get your veterinarian's professional guidance before beginning any ear care regimen.
The dog's inner ear should be a healthy pink color. Generally, if you see your dog scratching its ears, or if there's inflammation, an awful smell, or your pup is shaking their head, they probably have some irritation. Another sign of discomfort is seeing your dog scratching their head on the floor or carpet. They may also walk around with their head tilted. Some may even lose their balance.
If you suspect an ear infection, their ears should be cared for and monitored by their vet.
Once the veterinarian has deemed their ears healthy, or they have cured whatever infection might've existed, ask for their suggestions in an ear cleaning solution. There are many in the market, at the vet's office, and online. Find out which regimen works best for your pooch.
Be aware that although most dogs simply love to get a nice ear scratching from their human friends and will cuddle up for one, cleaning the inside of the ears might not prompt the same reaction.
If you have the opportunity to start this habit when your dogs are young, they will get used to it and most likely won't give you a problem. If you start when they are an adult, they may take some time to get accustomed to the idea.
We buy our cleaning solution directly from our veterinarian, but you might be able to get yours either online or even ask your pet's doctor for the ingredients to make your own.
Ear Care for Dogs
How to Clean Your Dog’s Ears
Look inside to see any residual debris in their ear. If your dog responds positively to you touching their ears, squirt the recommended dosage of ear cleaner into their ear. Hold the ear flap and then rub the base of their ear to ensure that the cleaner is in their ear, and not only at the tip.
Then take a cotton ball and unravel it. Create a long strip of cotton and slowly twist it in their ears, careful not to jab it in roughly or lose any of the cotton in there! If your dog’s ears are clean, you’ll just see a wet cotton ball. However, if your dog’s ears are dirty, you’ll see it on the cotton ball. Your dog may shake their head after this. That is perfectly normal. Q-tips are NOT recommended!
Repercussions of Not Cleaning Dog's Ears
Ear care for dogs is crucial. Some dogs may not have any issues at all. Like humans, all dogs are different. Some, however, are prone to getting ear infections, and cleaning their ears regularly will help prevent infections, which can be very painful and uncomfortable for your pet.
Another more serious issue can occur. Dogs can get hematomas in their ears. Hematomas look like blown-up pillows and can run the entire length of the ear flap at the base. It is a build-up of blood inside of that flap. If it goes untreated, it can be extremely painful for most dogs and can also run the risk of becoming infected.
If it is a small hematoma, your vet may simply opt just to drain it and hope that it doesn't reoccur. If it is a large hematoma, surgery is usually recommended. Remember that the hematoma can reoccur even with surgery, but the chances are less likely.
If you choose to get it drained, your dog may have to wear a bandage that adheres very tightly to your dog's head. It is also uncomfortable for them. However, your vet will make it tight so that the pressure is applied to the spot where the hematoma was in order to try and prevent it from building up again.
If you do opt for the surgery, the stitches may need to stay in for up to a month and, depending on whether your dog scratches it or not, they may have to wear the e-collar. That's the collar that many jokingly refer to as a lampshade. After the surgery, don't be surprised when you see their ear, as it might look like a little piece of leather is on it, but it is just a protector to help keep the stitches in.
It is always best to start your dog's regimen by consulting your veterinarian first. They know your dog's history and can assist with suggesting the right products and procedures for your dog.
Puppies may adapt more easily to a grooming routine than a senior, but the more it's done, the more they grow accustomed to it. We can't prevent every illness, but we can make a continuous effort to keep our dogs as healthy and well-groomed as possible.
*Note: if your dog is the type to voice their distaste for grooming by growling, it might be best to seek professional assistance. Ear infections can be excruciating for dogs, so while they may not mean to bite you, they still may lash out to protect themselves from the pain!
~Taken from my book, Dog Book~
Vestibular Syndrome
While we are on the topic of ears, there is another ailment to talk about. As our dogs age, we notice gradual changes in their activity levels or slight differences in their personality. They may move slower or not want to go on long walks like usual.
With age, there is one disease or syndrome that can occur instantaneously. Vestibular syndrome.
At first, it is difficult to determine what happened. They seem fine at first. They might even be playing or eating. It happens within a minute. They may walk super slow or, worse, unable to walk at all. They may walk in circles. Some dogs tilt their head to one side, and their face might even be droopy. They may even collapse. This disease has varying intensity levels, as some dogs suffer from nausea and won't eat or drink. They may appear like they want to but seem confused about how to do so!
In addition, you will most likely notice a very distinct trait of this disease—their eyes will move back and forth rapidly. This is called Nystagmus.
Some of these symptoms mimic a stroke, so if this happens to your dog, it is best to get them examined by your veterinarian immediately for proper care in either case.
Fortunately in most instances, If they are diagnosed with vestibular, this disease goes away on its own. The uncertain timeline can resolve itself within one day or three weeks. It can be caused by an inner ear infection, or idiopathic reasons, and there could be a more serious issue in some cases.
Vestibular is similar to vertigo in that your dog cannot make spatial judgments, and they become dizzy. If you've ever been hungover or seasick, that might be how they feel. If they are nauseous, they will not want to eat or drink. In that case, your veterinarian can administer anti-nausea medicine.
Also, if your pooch is dehydrated, your vet can administer fluid under your dog's skin to keep them hydrated.
While there is no cure, if your vet finds that an inner ear infection is evident, they may administer medicine to cure it.
During this time, it's best to keep them confined in a quiet area where they can't fall or get hurt. Keep them away from stairs and pools. You may need to bring them food and water if they can't make it to their feeding area alone. When you need to take them outside, some harnesses make lifting them easier, especially if you have a larger dog.
In most cases, it looks worse than it is and is very hard to watch, especially if your pup is anxious and tries to keep walking around. If that happens, speak to your vet about sedatives to keep them calm and safe. Note your pet's progress. If they seem to be getting worse, let your veterinarian know.
Otherwise, try to stay calm and patient. Hopefully, within a few days, you'll see a marked improvement!
~Taken from my book, Pet’s Medical Journal~
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