Ear cleaning?

amazonstarlight · Posted: Sat Sep 13, 2008 5:07 pm Post subject: Ear cleaning?

I was wondering how do you guys clean your dog's ears and how often. I was a little surprised about how much gunk was in Scooter's ears today. I know it's gross but how much ear wax do you usually get and what color is it? Thanks for the input.

versatilek9s · Posted: Sat Sep 13, 2008 7:26 pm Post subject:

It's different for every dog, some really don't have much "earwax." I have probably cleaned Sage's three times in her 4 years with me--though I check her weekly. Macy also has very clean ears, and I probably have to clean Maya's once a month depending on what she gets into. I always check them weekly, though.

I generally don't use anything but I do use tea tree rinse on occasion. Mostly I get a cotton pad and get the gunk out. I don't know if this is right or what others do, but it works for me!

ICARUS · Posted: Sat Sep 13, 2008 7:30 pm Post subject:

I just clean as needed. I'd say on average for us it's like 2x per month. The wax is brown. When he was small there was an infection and there was like a ton of brown stinky gunk Gurn

I used the recipe for that blue ear solution it's got gentian violet, rubbing alcohol, and boric acid and it works really well for us. Instead of squirting it in there though I bought some makeup pads and use those. I find them easier then the cotton balls cause you can wrap them around your finger.

NenaGunther · Posted: Sun Sep 14, 2008 9:23 pm Post subject:

I use a natural tea tree ear wash with a cotton ball, usually every few weeks, Gunther's ears were terrible when we adopted him and they seem to get more gunky than Nena's, but then Nena is always rolling in horse poo Rolling Eyes

so she gets hers cleaned after baths or swimming. Very Happy

youhavenoidea · Posted: Sun Sep 14, 2008 11:14 pm Post subject:

I use gentle alcohol-free earwipes on Slade. I never do it more often than once a week, but pretty much just let him tell me when it needs to be done. When he starts itching more than normal, or getting really "groany" while he's itching, I know they're starting to bug him a bit, and just give them a quick swipe with the ear wipes. I never EVER go past the second knuckle (I wrap the wipe around my finger) on a bad day, the first knuckle on a normal day.

I've always been of the opinion that the deep-down stuff likes to balance itself, and it hasn't steered me wrong yet.

In the past, when my Staffie, or John's Husky were plagued by ear itchies (being that they had "open" ears), I would mix salt and warm water in a pitcher, and pour it down their ears when I bathed them, to flush the crap out. It always cleared them right up with no irriatation, but I wouldn't recommend it for a dog with floppy ears, as they could never hope to air dry properly.

It's important to note though, that a Weim's healthy earwax is a rather dark brown; almost black for some dogs, so if you're seeing some of that, but there's no excessive itching, or bad smell, there's no cause for alarm.

I'm of the "if it ain't broke, don't fix it" school of thought, really. Especially since over-cleaning can cause just as many problems as any other variable.

Mommy2Chance · Posted: Tue Sep 16, 2008 9:15 am Post subject:

I bought the ear wipes from petsmart and I do Chance's about every 2 weeks cause I know that his ears smell if I dont and the wax is brownish. This is one thing that he really doesnt give us a hard time about, I think he likes them clean.

SilverMist · Posted: Wed Sep 24, 2008 12:37 am Post subject:

I use Zymox Ear-wash or Epi-Otic every 2-3 weeks. Its enzymatic so no chemicals and bad stuff. Since I'm a Vet Tech I clean them like I do at work. Fill canal and let them shake and wipe excess off. If she lays down after I will "flip" her ears to let them dry faster. So far so good for the last 6 years.

CherrystoneWeims · Posted: Thu Sep 25, 2008 1:15 pm Post subject:

I've been using a mixture of equal parts vinegar and alcohol for years. I don't like the perfume smell of the products that you buy from the vet's office and it is MUCH cheaper to make it myself!

I squirt some in the ears and rub it around then let the dog shake.

rhdwa · Posted: Thu Sep 25, 2008 1:59 pm Post subject:

I also use the Zymox Ear-wash I purchased from the vet. I works well when the ears are really dirty. Most of the time a finger and a tissue is enough to get the job done. A Q-Tip for the stuff I can see but can't get at with my fat finger.

When the dogs have had stinky ears (mites), I use hydrogen peroxide. pour it in the canal and hold a tissue or towel over the ear for a minute to let it work and then stand aside for the shake and shower. I do this procedure in the downstairs shower to limit the mess.

Having a Springer Spaniel also, we are no strangers to nasty ears. Augie actually likes the hydrogen peroxide treatment. He closes his eyes and makes blissful dog noises when the stuff is in there bubbling away.