How To Clean A Dog's Ears - In Detail

[suesuebeet]

Thank you so much! After watching this, I actually feel like I'll know what I'm doing. You're an EXCELLENT teacher! Yesterday, my vet diagnosed my dog with a yeast and bacterial infection. He gave me the same cleansing solution you use and Mometamax ointment. In your video, you mention appying ointment after wiping the cleanser out and the dog shakes out the rest. Is that right? There's no reason to wait like 15 - 30 min for the ear to dry out before adding the ointment? Thanks again.

[DCOVENET]

hey i have a dog she's a shih zhu and she had a ear infection, i cleaned her ears and everything but every time i massage her ear she starts to cry, i massage it as soft and gently as possible but she still cries. should i be worried or she's just not used to the cleaning?

[SusanEyerAndersonDVM]

@DCOVENET Hi! Did you have the ears checked by a veterinarian who gave you the wash and medication to treat the ears, or are you just sort of trying to treat it with some over the counter wash? You REALLY should have those ears checked by a vet (unless you already have) before continuing. There could be a foriegn object or ruptured eardrum in there. If you have, double check with your vet and ask him or her about the pain. Some dogs are just sensitive at first, but you need to be sure :)

[DCOVENET]

@SusanEyerAndersonDVM ok thank you so much! :) 

[SusanEyerAndersonDVM]

@misscaliforniagurl2 Also, that odor that you smell could be either a yeast or bacterial infection that will DEFINITELY need medication. If you just start pouring stuff down into the ears, it could really get bad and it could get horribly painful. Better to know what's going on. Good luck to you:)

[SusanEyerAndersonDVM]

@misscaliforniagurl2 Hi! You know, I have to be really careful what I tell people without seeing the dog ...sorry about that but unfortunately I could lose my license :( However, I can tell you that you really should (seriously) have a vet look in those ears with an otoscope. Allergies and earmites are very common reasons for dogs to scratch their ears. Alcohol is NOt a good idea because it can really hurt, especially if the skin inside the ears is red and irritated. PLEASE see a veterianrian

[JBracyful]

I have a Basset Hound and she is 14. She has an infection, so I clean it up with clorhixidrine. I want to make her an ear wash with that solution, I mean, put the solution into her ears, massage it, and then turn it down so all the wax can go out. Is it safe? I want to learn how, I saw it at the veterinary. I'm studying veterinary :) Thanks

[SusanEyerAndersonDVM]

@JBracyful Hi! Bassetts are sooo prone to ear infections...due to their long floppy ears that don't let air in and trap moisture. Have your veterinarian check her ears. Know what you are treating. Please. I use Chlorhexidine (diluted) solution sometimes to clean an infected ear, then immediately follow it with a medicated ointment. The cleaner alone will not treat an infection, and chlorhexidine will NOT remove wax very well. That's why it's critical to have her checked first. Good luck! :)

[JBracyful]

@SusanEyerAndersonDVM THANKS! :)

[BeckoLoveless]

@SusanEyerAndersonDVM Do you think i can use very little peroxide and clean his ears with cotton balls with some vinegar on them? I heard of using vinegar for a home-remedy.

[BeckoLoveless]

I have a shih zhu and he is 4 years old. He has this really bad ear infection, and I'm not sure what to do. I'm really poor, and I can't afford to go to a vet. I look into my dogs ear, and he has really bad wax bulid up. He doesn't like it when people touch his ear, and he keeps moving): Any tips ? I'm literally broke. I can't go see a vet. :/ Please help! Thanks!

[SusanEyerAndersonDVM]

@BeckoLoveless Aaaw :( I'm sorry he has that problem. That's a tough one to give advice for..without seeing him. Maybe there is a humane society or rescue group in your area i.e. "Actors and Others" is in California. Google animal rescue groups in your area and call them and ask if they can direct you to low cost veterinary services. Maybe they can give you some suggestions. Be Very, very careful what you start putting in his ears in a desperate attempt..could make things worse. Good luck!

[rxstarh]

@BeckoLoveless I just found out our dog also had an ear infiction. They told us it was a yeast& bacterial infection. They tried to sell us painkillers, ear cleaning solution, and the prescription medicine. We bought our own ear cleaner about 5$ (much cheaper than what the vet tried to sell us) and we did buy the medication from them but no pain killers. I would suggest you try and get the ear cleaner atleast if you can't afford a visit.

[SusanEyerAndersonDVM]

@tbkaadya Uh oh! The first thing you should do is have them checked by a vet to make sure there is nothing wrong...(infections hurt).  It's really important that you do this. (If not infected, you may not have to clean them like this) Small dog? Try wrapping her in a bath towel like a burrito with her head sticking out. Big dog? Put the rear end of the dog in a corner of a room so that he/she can't get away as easily. Good luck, don't get bitten! Have a tech at your vet's office show you how

[gadafgadaf]

Im just concerned about leaving solution in his ear. just to clarify...its ok to leave the epi-otic solution in the ear after you wipe away as much as you can and let the dog shake its head, Correct? I heard that you can't leave fluids in the ear cause it can lead to more infections.

[SusanEyerAndersonDVM]

@gadafgadaf Hi! Good question. You would think that would be a problem, but I believe it depends on the liquid that you put in. Plain WATER is never a good idea to leave in an ear, whether previously infected or not. The Epi-Otic , though,(particularly the "Advanced" formula) is formulated to actually inhibit further growth of bacteria and yeast and I have had great results with this method of cleaning in the twenty years I have been doing this. Still, have your own veterinarian be involved!

[widowsforest]

well, i have a pug, and shes had it for about 2 years, and now, she scratches it and it bleeds, and we cant help it. she refuses to let up. The whole outside is just hecktic, and its just 1 ear, so im not sure if that shows something, but yeah. We took her to the vet, and still, they just gave us medicine, but she still refuses, because it burns. mesagge me or reply if you can, i'd appreciate it. Thanks guys :)

[SusanEyerAndersonDVM]

@widowsforest My reply was too long to post here! Sent you a message :)

[hotpocketsrgood]

wow good info thanks

[webkinz5055]

hey can you use a saline cleanse to wash the ear out? or do i need to go to the store and buy a brand

[SusanEyerAndersonDVM]

It really depends on what is going on in that ear. If you think it is infected, please do have it checked out by a veterinarian because you could make it worse (by delaying the right treatment). That "Epi-Otic Advanced" that we use is really good stuff (I sound like a commercial:)) It not only cleanses the ear but coats it with something that supposededly prevents yeast and bacteria to stick to the ear canal. Helps slow it down from coming back. I like it.

[Cece85]

Thank you so much...I have a Shih Tzu and she hates when I clean her ears probably because I wasnt doing it right...I didnt know I had to make that smacking sound....this definitely helped...could you direct me to a good video that explains exactly how to clean/ bath/groom a dog I do all of it myself. If I was doing this wrong Im probably doing everything else wrong...she doesn't like me caring for her at all. I would like to make it more pleasant for her I think its just torturing her instead

[SusanEyerAndersonDVM]

CeCe! Don't feel badly about how you are cleaning your dog's ears. This method I am showing you is for dogs with a known ear infection seen by a veterinarian. If you are just grooming your dog and doing a routine cleaning, you don't have to get the smacking sound!:) Do the ears look red or have any discharge (stuff) in them? If so, they may be infected and hurt..have it checked if in doubt. I am not aware of any good grooming videos yet. Some dogs just don't like being messed with! Good luck!

[SusanEyerAndersonDVM]

@pr0gramer33 LOL! Not as gross as our diapers probably were when our mom's changed them. Good thing for people who deal with the grossness to help care for those they love! :)

[SusanEyerAndersonDVM]

Oh good!

[coulditbekronau]

I dont have a dog anymore or am a doctor of any kind but I found this quite intresting thank you for shareing what you have learned in your years of experience

[SusanEyerAndersonDVM]

Thanks:)

[und34rtak34r]

charming....

[sabina2475]

Thanks that was really helpful. My dog keeps itching her ears even after I have cleaned with cleaning pad. I will find out from our Vet which solution to use to clean her ears.

[SusanEyerAndersonDVM]

yes, have her checked out. She could have earmites or an allergy induced ear infection.

[coconutcaat]

Thanks for this! They didn't go over this very well when I was training to be a vet tech. For instance, they never mentioned the smacking sound, fluid line, or ear anatomy. Most of the techs that graduate from the school I went to get into the field and are terrified to try things like this because they don't get sufficient training. Our teachers were strict, mean, and not actually very good at teaching us much of anything useful. Wish I had seen this back then!

[SusanEyerAndersonDVM]

Yes! Long, floppy ears don't drain as well, and air doesn't get in to the ear to help keep it dry. As a puppy, I wouldn't start cleaning them yet though. I wold leave well enough alone until she actually has an infection...unless she is a heavy wax producer. Congratulations on your new puppy ! :)

[arkhumrox]

this is a really good insight!

are infections more likely to accour in dogs with long ear

because i recently bought this 6 month old pup who scratches her ears alot

[SusanEyerAndersonDVM]

Have her checked out too, btw. she may have mites.

[arkhumrox]

oh ew in her ears?

[SusanEyerAndersonDVM]

Yes, possibly. Better get her checked out. Hopefully it's nothing. :)

[JackiePunk]

could be a yeast infection...i have a hound and that was the case with him