To maintain the health of their furry friends, it is necessary to carry out hygienic procedures that animals are not able to perform on their own. Such a simple procedure as ear cleaning at home can be done independently without the help of specialists. In this article, we will consider the basic rules for cleaning the auricles in dogs, which will be required.
Why is a procedure necessary?
If you ignore this simple procedure, serious problems with the ears can begin, which will bring not only a lot of pain and suffering to your pet, but also incur considerable material costs for treatment.
In other words, it’s easier to save than to restore. It is best to teach a puppy to this procedure from a very young age. This is easiest to do when raising a baby. A puppy is more easily accustomed to this procedure than an adult dog.
Cleaning frequency
Many people are interested in how often to care for dog ears. This should be necessary, especially for breeds of dogs with short ears. The reason for this is the protective function (in small quantities) of the ear discharge from dirt, dust, water, temperature changes and other similar factors. Before cleaning, make sure this procedure is necessary. Too often climbing into the dog’s ears is undesirable.
Regular brushing is required for long-haired dogs with drooping ears. This is due to poor ventilation of the auricle. In hot weather, such a procedure is preferably carried out every other day.While short-haired dogs, ear cleaning should be done much less frequently. Much depends on the age and place of residence of the pet.
Over the years, ear discharge increases and cleaning should be carried out more often. Living at home, ears are less polluted than those of street counterparts.
If a large amount of sulfur is observed in the ears, it must be immediately removed carefully. Therefore, it is necessary to regularly carefully consider how many secretions accumulated in the shells. The inner part of the auricle is covered with small hairs, which, in compatibility with the ear secretions, prevent microbes from getting inside. If you brush too often, these hairs are crumpled and cannot fulfill their duties. Some dog breeds do not need such a procedure for years and no problems arise.
In addition, long hair can grow inside the ear itself. Over time, these hairs die off and clog the ear canal. Fallen hair should be removed with tweezers.
This procedure is absolutely painless for the pet, with the exception of tickling discomfort.
How do I know if it's time to clean my ears?
Regular inspection of the dog’s ears should become a habit for the owner. This allows you to identify diseases and pathological changes in the early stages. During the examination inside the auricle, you may encounter the following:
- redness
- excess discharge;
- swollen patches;
- bad smell.
These signs indicate the presence of infection or the onset of the disease, as well as the need to take measures to eliminate them.
If serious inflammation is active, purulent deposits or swelling are noticeable, then you should rather go to the veterinarian.
Necessary facilities and tools
All the necessary tools and devices for the described procedure can be purchased at a veterinary pharmacy.
- Wet wipesmoistened with a liquid to dissolve contaminants. The product should be suitable for sensitive skin, so that the animal does not feel discomfort during processing, and there is no irritation.
- Cotton budsalso moistened with ear care solution.
- Ear lotionshaving moisture absorbing properties. They will not only dissolve the impurities, but also help to remove the dirt from the ear. These products allow you to dissolve even hardened deposits without any discomfort for the dog.
- Cleaning powder. This tool absorbs excess moisture, which prevents the spread of fungi. It also improves the ventilation of the auricle.
Many people are interested in the question of whether it is possible to treat the ears of a dog with hydrogen peroxide at home. It is suitable for 1-2 applications, but in the future you still need to use special tools. Peroxide is injected into the ear using a syringe without a needle or syringe.
In one ear - about 3-5 ml of the product. Peroxide copes with an unpleasant odor.
Important! In addition to the above funds, you can use the solution "Chlorhexidine".
This is a herbal tincture from the root of marshmallows, burdock, lavender, sea salt and chamomile. Never use shampoos, oils, alcohol or vinegar to flush your ears.
Dog training
Not every animal will immediately agree to such a procedure, so it needs to be prepared. To begin with, the animal should be reassured. When the dog does not tolerate ear manipulation, you can put on a muzzle. It is advisable to carry out this procedure on a territory familiar to the pet so that it is not distracted by extraneous sounds and smells. The calmer the self-respecting pet, the easier it is for the master to work with him. Otherwise, it will be very problematic to have a good clean.
Show the animal all the items that you will use. Let them smell, make sure of complete safety. After that, fix your head in a fixed position. Hold neatly and firmly, but not to the pain of the doggie. This can scare him very much.
If the patient is small, for convenience, you can place him on the table.
If a dog is not accustomed to hygiene from childhood, then in adulthood this can be a problem. Each time the owner will encounter fierce resistance. To avoid this, you will have to accustom the dog to this for a long time. Every time he wants to leave, he does not need to be stopped, the animal must feel free and understand that they are not trying to harm him. Realizing this, the animal will endure this procedure longer and longer.
A lot depends on the breed of the dog. For example, It’s much harder to teach terriers to clean their ears than others.
At the end of this procedure, give the patient a treat for his diligence and patience.. The treat will be remembered by him, the next time the procedure will be a little easier. Over time, the pet will understand that there is nothing to worry about, and the lack of coercion and a treat at the end will help you get used to this event faster.
Step-by-step instruction
Many owners wonder how to properly clean their ears at home. It is necessary to carry out such a procedure with the utmost care and comfort for the dog. In this case, the dog will not resist and interfere. One awkward movement can hurt the pet, in the future he will not agree to repeat this procedure.
Before starting the process itself prepare your pet mentally so that it is not tense and resists. A conversation with your pet will help in this, during which you can examine your ears. Necessary hso that the pet was in a good mood, did not worry and did not break out.
If the dog is too active or worried about something, it is better to postpone the procedure for some time.
If everything is in order, you can proceed by sticking to the following algorithm:
- soak a cotton pad with lotion and wring it out, gently wipe the outer part of the ear; you can replace the cotton pad with gauze by wrapping it on your index finger and moistening it with a solution; then wipe the ear;
- with a cotton swab dipped in lotion, we process the inner part of the ear without sinking deep into the ear canal;
- at the end of the procedure, wipe the treated surface with a damp cloth;
- after a preliminary examination and approval by the veterinarian, a solution is poured into the ear to soften too dense sulfur deposits; after this, you need to wait until the solution soaks the sulfur, after which you need to massage the dog’s ear with massage movements for several minutes; The dirt coming out from the ear is collected with a damp cloth.
Important! After the procedure, the animal will shake its head and ears. This is a normal occurrence.
Thus, the pet gets rid of excess fluid in the ears. Then wipe the ears again with a damp cloth.
What is not recommended to use?
In order not to make terrible mistakes and not injure the hearing organs of your pet, you need to know and follow the following simple rules:
- never insert ear sticks into the auditory canal, this can lead to hearing loss in the animal;
- never fill the dog’s ears with water, as this can lead to inflammation when flowing into the ear canal;
- in the presence of an inflammatory process in the ear, it is forbidden to use hydrogen peroxide and alcohol solutions;
- do not use cotton wool in a dry form - fibers stuck in the ear can lead to a constant itchy sensation, due to which the pet will constantly scratch the ear;
- use only disposable materials, discard after use, do not reuse them under any circumstances;
- if your pet has inflammation or ears hurt, consult a specialist to help you find the best treatment.
Adhering to such recommendations, ear cleaning will be painless, effective and efficient. If you doubt your abilities and skill or are afraid to harm your pet, the right decision would be to seek help from specialists. For the first time you can see how this happens, and only then independently carry out this procedure. Hearing organs are very important for the life of your pet, it is unacceptable to injure them.
See how to clean your dog’s ears properly.