23/05/2023
Our pet’s ears are as unique as their personalities, from pointy German shepherd ears to floppy cocker spaniel ears and low hanging bloodhound ears, the variety is endless. Not only are their ears used for hearing, but many dogs use them to show their mood – happy, mad or curious! Suffice to say, ears are an important part of a pet’s life and ear care is an essential part of their overall health. There are several ear problems that can plague our dogs, but with a pet-specific ear care plan, you can keep ears clean and avoid pesky infections.
Keeping Clean With Pet Ear Care
The best way to prevent ear infections is being proactive with proper pet ear care. Your Thrive Pet Healthcare veterinarian is here to help you and your pet get on a proper cleaning schedule. The frequency is based on their current health, breed, coat, and lifestyle factors. Proper cleaning goes beyond water and a bath, which leaves ears moist and open to bacterial and yeast growth. This is why dogs who do a lot of swimming are prone to ear infections and may need more attention on their ears. Dogs should have their ears dried after swimming and bathing with a drying solution using soft gauze. Please ask your veterinarian to show you how to do this. Depending on the pet, your veterinarian may also send you home with an ear cleaner to use between visits.
Common Misconceptions Of Dog Ear Care
Contrary to popular belief, ear care should not include Q-tips or hydrogen peroxide. Many owners make the mistake of implementing the same care practices they use on themselves on their dogs, but dogs don’t need either of these supplies in their ear care routine.
Cotton swabs can lodge dirt deeper into your pup’s ear canals and could even lead to injury of the internal portion of their ears. Your veterinarian can show you massage techniques that will allow you to get the nooks and crannies of your dog’s ears without causing unnecessary trauma.
Hydrogen peroxide is not a vet-approved cleaner and can do more harm than good. As your dog’s ears have probably shown, they contain very sensitive tissue and hydrogen peroxide can cause unnecessary irritation to this tissue. Stick to the vet-approved solutions and avoid using any household products.
The Common Signs Of An Ear Infection
It’s a common sight – your dog scratching at their ears. The question is, is it just a simple itch or the sign of something more serious?
Ear infections can arise for a variety of reasons, including accumulation of wax, thick or matted hair in the ear canal or pests, like mites. The signs of an ear infection include:
Head shaking
Foul odor
Discharge
Redness inside of the ear
Swollen ears
Rubbing their face along the carpet or furniture
Diagnosing Your Pet’s Ear Infection
If you see your pet experiencing discomfort related to their ears, the first step is to take them to the veterinarian for diagnosis. Ear infections are itchy and stressful for your pet and need to be treated before permanently damaging their ear.
Types of infections can always change and just because one medication or solution has worked in the past, it does not mean it will work again. Make sure to go to your veterinarian with each new suspected infection and to recheck your pet’s ears until the infection is cleared.
Taking care of your pet’s ears helps to prevent infections and regular visits to your local Thrive Pet Healthcare for routine cleanings keeps your pet happy and itch-free!
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