subject: What To Do If The Puppy Has An Ear Complication [print this page] Dog's ears are breeding grounds for all types of bacteria and fungus. Did you know that there might just be a whole colony of mites living in your pup's ear right now? This is because they absolutely thrive in areas where it is moist, warm and dark. So, you need to do everything possible to clean your dog's ears.
But before you clean it, you need to know how to inspect it. A healthy outer ear of the dog should look light pink in color, should be clean and should not emit any foul odor.
Also, you will want to check for any wax buildup inside the ear? Do note though that some amount of dirt and wax is fine, but if you notice a larger than normal amount present, it may be a possibility that mites are around.
If your dog has been scratching his ears way too much, then check the inside and the outside of his ear. Look for nicks, cuts, scabs, infection or mites.
If you think that there is yeast or bacterial infection or ear mites, then take him to the vet as quickly as possible.
However, if you think that there is no infection and no mites, it is time to clean the ears. Most vets recommend cleaning the visible part of the ear only. That is, just clean the dirt and wax there. This can be done using a soft cloth or a cotton ball. Just dip them in an ear cleaning solution and clean your dog's ears. Avoid cleaning the ear canal.
If for some reason you want to clean deeper in the ear, you should consult the vet first. There are solutions that can be dropped or squirted deep in the ear. But if your dog has never had any ear problems, you should avoid doing this. Vets generally believe that these will only cause problems for the dog. But if you are planning on cleaning the ear canal, then clean it before cleaning the outer ear.
Make sure to allow your dog's ears to dry out completely. If your dog breed is one with those long ears, then just pin the ears together over the head for sometime. This will help in drying the ear canal and preventing any infections.
