Ears-- and hopefully a lesson learned without vet visit
Submitted by HOLLAND75 on August 16, 2012 - 3:44amHey all- so, I know I should not have used qtips on James ears, but I did. Lately I have been cleaning them almost every other day because they are so gunky. Well, tonight he freaked out, shook his head like a madman and gave us a major scare. How do I know if I hurt his ear drum? After some ice cubes and rest he seemed ok, but I am (as usual) worried, especially because this is all my fault....
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Silverback's Immaculate Interception, "James"
Ears
The anatomy of a dog's ear, unless a very unusual circumstance, is unlike our ears. We probably have all heard at one time or another not to put anything smaller than our elbow into our ear canal. Unlike a human's anatomy, a dogs eardrum cannot be touched by a q-tip. Maybe his ear is just sore because of the frequency of cleaning?? Do you know what is causing his ears to be "gunky"?
By the way, he is a major time cutie pie!
Maggie Porkchop and Bubba
I've heard that about the eardrum...as for qtips,
I am beginning to think they are more addictive than cigarettes! I know thats gross, but I clean his ears daily and it never used to be such a problem. I think the humidity is just making him gunkier. Either way, I am thinking I may have shoved gunk deeper into his ear, and am going to do the full wash tonight (unless thats a bad idea?) and wait and see...thanks so much!
Silverback's Immaculate Interception, "James"
Ears
I use a solution called Epiotic which I get from our vet. Our male has had a few ear infections so I am also very observent of his ears. I just gently squirt some deep into his ear and then massage, massage, massge from the base of his ear and up. It's amazing the amount of gunk I clean out after I'm already sure I cleaned his ears well :)
Has he been shaking his head or scratching at his ear? That can be one of the first signs of an infection.As far as doing the flush today.. if he seemed like he was uncomfortable yesterday, maybe give him a break for tonight??
Maggie Porkchop and Bubba