Ear Cleaning??

[wendstress]

Chili's ears are generally clean, but the fur below the ear is getting a little oily.

Can anyone please give me some good tips for ear-cleaning? What should I use? How often should I clean? Do I even need to clean?

Thanks in advance!

[ChicagoCanine]

Hello!
Goldens' ears should be cleaned regularly.
You can find good info on ear cleaning and other Golden grooming info here:

'The weekly routine-- Ear cleaning and grooming' --- www.geocities.com/Heartland/Estates/6329/grooming.html#weekly (http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/Estates/6329/grooming.html#weekly)

[Jo Ellen]

I think the key here is getting to know your dog's ears. You need to be very aware of what's going on inside Chili's ears. Look at them often, clean them, comb the hairs around them. Get to know them -- even rather intimately, if you know what I mean !! :\

When you know Chili's ears, you'll know when to clean them and how often.

I have been cleaning Daisy's ears regularly (frequently) for over 2 years. What I've found that works really well is wadded up kleenex or toilet paper (doesn't take very much), soaked in warm water and then shaped to a tip. I sometimes put a little soap on it, not always, sometimes water by itself is good enough. And I clean her ears. I try to get the point of the kleenex as far into the outer canal as I can. You'll learn with Chili how much pressure to apply and how to do this.

The oil on Chili's hair around his ears is normal :003

[Jo Ellen]

Chili is adorable, by the way.

[wendstress]

Thanks, Jo Ellen! I'm sort of smitten with him, too!

As far as the ear cleaning, I've been "playing" with his ears a lot as a sort of practice. Tonight I cleaned them for the first time with a vinegar/alcohol mixture that was mentioned in one of the links above. Chili didn't really like it, but didn't protest too much.

Exactly how far should I be trying to get into his ear? All I really tried to do was clean the easy access part. I'm afraid to go any farther than that (Aren't humans told not to put anything smaller than an elbow in their ears? That's how I feel about Chili and his ears!)

[Jo Ellen]

You should be getting as far into his ear as you can. If you're using the wadded up kleenex or TP method, it won't be possible for you to penetrate the barrier between his outer and inner canal (penetrating that barrier would actually require an instrument of some sort, I do believe). If you use your finger gently to explore what's beyond the "easy access" part of his ear (make sure your nail is short and smooth), you'll see what I mean. With Daisy's ears, it's very important that I get all the way in there. There's a point where you can't go any further. That's where you want to be when you're cleaning.

Don't be afraid...but always, of course, do be gentle and be aware of Chili's feelings....he's your best guide !!

jg

[Mariann]

Hello!
I clean my golden's ears every day with just a handkerchief which is clean (not with oil or anything else...) and just with finger cause if you do it with something what is too big you can touch something in his ear what you shouldn't... be careful

[missinbeau]

I use a soft tissue to clean my dogs ears on a very regular basis and a Q-tip for the outer nooks and craneys. When it is time for a detail cleaning I use a product VetSolutions from the vet. I load up a cotton ball tuck it in the ear and rub the area below the ear to loosen any ear wax, take out the cotton and let them do a good shake. I check the ear for loose matter and dry them. My 8 yr old has never had an ear problem. :woofpup

[Tom]

I use a terry facecloth moistened with warm water and reach only as far as my index finger will take me. Do this regularly and you're do will become acclimated and will just take it in stride.

[Jo Ellen]

I use babywipes ... unscented. I've tried several different kinds and the true test is to use them to remove my makeup first. If they don't irritate my skin, I'm confident they won't irritate my dog's ears. I just can't remember at the moment which kind I'm using!! ... I think they are Pampers for sensitive skin.

[Tom]

Now there's an idea I hadn't thought of - baby wipes! That's a great idea. Use 'em and throw 'em away. I like that one. Thanks!

[goldnbear]

I am sure every golden owner has had ear trouble at one point in time or another. Just for those that do not know...the canine ear canal makes it virtually impossible for us to hit the ear drum with our fingers. The external part funnels downward and then takes a 90 degree turn. Here is a link to a pic http://www.lbah.com/ears.htm#anatomy
I had this explained to me after I thought that I might have lost a cotton ball in an ear. I put it in for bath time and forgot about it after wards because she usually shakes them out when we are all done (its very messy in the grooming room, I would have not bothered cleaning them up right away). Well, the next day we got to the show grounds and began to trim her ears and there was a cotton ball. I checked the other ear, no cotton ball- and thought omigod it must be in her ear canal! I went to the vet, no cotton ball. Never found it in the grooming room either. She must have shook it out outside or somewhere else.
Anyways, cotton balls in ears during bathes are good if you remember to take them out! They also help with blow drying for all of you that do that. I use epiotic ear wash from the vet after every bathe and every swim and it seems to keep infections away.

[missdebi101]

I never thought of babywipes. I will have to try it. Anyway, Sophie has had ear infections in both ears. My vet said is wasn't uncommon with puppies. She was on medication for the first ear and we started cleaing out the other ear with water and a tissue but now and he has given us a cleaning solution. He said never to use water in her ears because it can get trapped inside and make the infection worse. The solution he gave us is oily. So the babywipes should work fine. She is healthy except for the ears.

[lucky101]

My golden used to get yeast infections in his ears due to a later found food allergy. I started cleaning his ears EVERY DAY with ear wipes/pads. My favorite ones to use are 8in1 Ear Clear. When they are out of stock I use Bio-Groom Ear Care. They look like little stridex pads and work like a charm. You should probably be able to find one of the two in the pet store. If not I know of a business you can order from on line. Their website isn't quite completed, but I am sure if you just email them they would be happy to get them to you. Both brands work great. You just put the pad over the tip of your finger and rub your finger in their ear. I like them because you can see and feel what you are doing while you are cleaning their ears and they won't fall apart like a kleenex or toilet paper might. If you want the website for the business that I KNOW has them just im me.

[mtee1958]

I use a solution I got from a pet store and cotton balls. It's a hassle to get Bailey to sit still for me to squeeze the solution in - but he sits and leans with his eyes all dreaming when I'm massaging the inside of his ears with the cotton balls. You can just see him thinking -- "oh man that's the spot -- please don't stop!" So once I've managed to pour solution all over myself and the outside of his ear - while trying to get him to hold still - it's a piece of cake. ;)

[Chillers]

I use a solution I got from a pet store and cotton balls. It's a hassle to get Bailey to sit still for me to squeeze the solution in - but he sits and leans with his eyes all dreaming when I'm massaging the inside of his ears with the cotton balls. You can just see him thinking -- "oh man that's the spot -- please don't stop!" So once I've managed to pour solution all over myself and the outside of his ear - while trying to get him to hold still - it's a piece of cake. ;)


mtee -- I actually squeeze the solution we use directly on the cotton ball and saturate it and then squeeze the solution in the cotton ball into Tucker's ear because that's the only way we can do it. He sees the bottle of ear stuff and runs the other way... :o

[mybuddy]

mtee -- I actually squeeze the solution we use directly on the cotton ball and saturate it and then squeeze the solution in the cotton ball into Tucker's ear because that's the only way we can do it. He sees the bottle of ear stuff and runs the other way... :o

Buddy does too! As soon as he sees the bottle, his whole body gets really small, head to the floor and slithers away. rofl3

[cassiemoun]

I have Epi-Otic for my puppy (she isn't here yet - I get her in 6 days!) and wondered if I can use it on her right away. I plan on doing the full grooming routine including teeth regularly so that she is accustomed to it.

The bottle says it's okay for puppies..., but maybe I should just use plain water at first because her ears may be sensitive?

What do you guys think?


-Cassie (Mom to Peyton 8/01, Parker 4/04, and my soon to be new furbaby - Niya 12/24/05) jugglex1

[Jo Ellen]

I think it's a great idea to start early. Clean ears are a life long kind of thing :) I would think once a week if the ears aren't dirty or anytime when they are.

:003

[Chillers]

I have Epi-Otic for my puppy (she isn't here yet - I get her in 6 days!) and wondered if I can use it on her right away. I plan on doing the full grooming routine including teeth regularly so that she is accustomed to it.

The bottle says it's okay for puppies..., but maybe I should just use plain water at first because her ears may be sensitive?

What do you guys think?


-Cassie (Mom to Peyton 8/01, Parker 4/04, and my soon to be new furbaby - Niya 12/24/05) jugglex1

Starting early is great! I would avoid plain water though...might be setting yourself up for a problem. I swear Tucker's first ear infection started because he got in the shower with me one morning (I was laughing so hard :laugh2 ) but I think his ear canals got damp and stuff started growing! But JoEllen uses baby wipes and that would probably be great for a puppy! JMHO... :)