Your Pet Wants You to be all Ears When it Comes to Dog Ear Care

Fleas, skin problems and regular shots might be among the top reasons for dog owners to get their pets to the veterinarian, but the number one issue prompting vet visits is ear issues.

Dogs’ inner ears are a serious of twists and turns of cartilage that offer yeast, bacteria and parasites an excellent habit to live. Most infections begin with debris that’s gotten trapped, but dogs with allergies will likely see more issues than dogs without allergies.

There are a number of factors that lead to some dogs having more problems with their ears than others. For instance, dogs with an abundance of hair inside their ears will need more dog ear care than those with hairless ears. Dogs with ears that are long and floppy generate more dirt in their ears than dogs with short ears because there is less air circulation.

Veterinarians say the best dog ear care an owner can provide is frequent cleaning of the ear canal. But many dogs dislike having their ears cleaned. Regardless of how much they dislike the routine, it’s essential. Some dogs will require two people – one to hold and the other to clean.

Veterinarians recommend cleaning as much of the ear as can be reached with a cotton ball. Going any farther than what can be reached with a finger and the cotton ball could damage the dog’s ear. Check the cotton ball to see how much dirt it collected. If you see an irregular amount, it might be a good idea to schedule an appointment with your veterinarian, as this could be a sign of more serious issues.

Other issues to look for are accumulations of debris, wax, foul odor coming from the ear, crusty skin, loss of hair, redness, a discharge coming from the ear or an accumulation of wax. These too are indicators of infection. Ear mites are a common ailment. To identify these, look for a build up of what appears to be coffee grounds.

There are a variety of ear cleaners available over-the-counter that won’t be too harsh on the dog’s ear. Don’t use alcohol, as this is not good on the dog’s skin. Some owners will use a vinegar solution that is nine to 10 parts water to one part vinegar, but never pour any cleaner down the dog’s ear canal as this can lead to more dog ear care issues. Check with your veterinarian for advice on which cleaner they recommend.

If you’d rather skip home remedies that may or may not work, it’s a safe bet to consider Clear Ear from ProLabs. Dogs with chronic ear problems get fast relief through Clear Ear’s pH-balanced solution that nourishes and replenishes the ear’s epithelium.

Hear This: Dog Ear Problems are Easily Treatable

Some canine health problems creep up silently, leaving you completely unaware of an issue until it’s almost too late. Cancer is one of these unfortunate issues that too many dog owners have had the misfortune of experiencing. But some ailments, many of them very commonly leading to a visit to the veterinarian, can be avoided. Otitus externa is one of these issues.

Otitus externa is the scientific name for an ear infection, generally manifesting as inflammation in the ear canal. This is a common problem because the ear canal of a dog is large, taking up a much larger percentage of the cranium than the canal of humans. There is plenty of surface area in a canine canal where parasites and bacteria gather, which can lead to infection, especially in dogs that get their ears wet or dogs whose ears aren’t cleaned regularly or thoroughly.

Bacteria and yeast are the culprits in many cases, though mites can also be an issue. Dogs that have ears that flap over the canal (which is the case in most canine breeds) offer an added assurance that humidity and moisture remain in the canal, an unfortunate physical attribute as this allows bacteria and yeast to thrive. And when allowed to thrive, the normally pink ear canal will become bumpy, swollen and red. In some cases a discharge will be noticeable. In other cases, such as when mites are present, there will be a darker, dirt-like material that presents itself in the canal.

Owners of terriers, poodles and other breeds that have hair in the ear canal know that such an anatomical attribute leads to more dog ear problems because these ears are more difficult to clean. Regardless, if you’re not checking your dogs ears at least twice a month, he/she is at greater risk for an infection, which can be painful if not extremely uncomfortable and irritating.

Vets report that the most common type of dog ear problems are caused by yeast infections, which leave the ear canal covered in a yellow or tan color. If your pet has this coloring in its ear and you’re brave enough to take a whiff, the yeast-infected ear will likely have a pungent odor. Most cases are easily handled with a topical medication that fights fungus.

The goal is to keep your dog happy and healthy, which means if you see it flapping it’s ears or pawing at them excessively, something is going on in their that needs attention. Dogs that shake their head/ears too vigorously are at risk of damaging the cartilage in their ears, which is likely as painful as internal dog ear problems.

ProLabs, a company committed to keeping your cats and dogs healthy, offers a product
called Clear Ear that keeps dogs clear of chronic health problems. The ear drops don’t stain, contain no antibiotics or steroids, wipes out itching and is safe for long-term use.