Dusseldorf. Ear hygiene plays a central role in a dog's health and well-being. Contamination or foreign bodies in the ear can cause pain and impairment. Regular checks and care of the ears are important and can be done quickly. Especially if the dog was used to it as a puppy.
Dog owners should look at their animals' ears at least once a week and check whether everything is OK. Regular ear cleaning is not necessary for every dog, but there are dogs that are particularly susceptible. “Dogs with long floppy ears, such as Cocker Spaniels or Basset Hounds, develop ear problems more quickly because their ears allow less air circulation. This makes it easier for heat and moisture to accumulate. But excessive hair growth or a narrow ear canal can also lead to inflammation more easily,” explains veterinarian Björn-Sirke Schwarz, head of the veterinary practice Dr. Black in Brandenburg an der Havel.
General care of dog ears
“A healthy dog’s ear is clean and odorless, and the skin is slightly pink in color. “Redness, swelling or an unpleasant smell, however, indicate a problem,” says the expert. For light dirt, gentle cleaning is sufficient. “As with us humans, you should only gently clean the auricle with a damp cloth, i.e. do not penetrate the ear canal with a cotton swab. Otherwise, this can quickly lead to injuries,” warns Schwarz. “We also recommend slightly warming the water or cleaning liquid beforehand. This makes it more pleasant for the dog and particularly sensitive or painful ears are not further irritated.” Veterinarians can show owners all the important steps that they can use at home in the future. It is also worth asking the expert about suitable ear cleaners for dogs. These help to loosen secretions so that dirt can be easily removed.
If a dog's ears are heavily hairy, the area around the ear canal should be trimmed regularly to improve ventilation.
Signs of ear problems in dogs
Ear infections, but also parasites or foreign bodies can cause major problems for the dog. Typical signs of this include frequent shaking and scratching of the head, redness and swelling of the ear, an unpleasant smell, discharge or, in severe cases, balance problems. The dog then appears unsteady on its feet and may hold its head to the side. As soon as the first symptoms of an ear infection appear, owners should consult a veterinarian who will determine the cause and treat the animal – rapid treatment can prevent worse pain or the inflammation from spreading. If treatment is not treated or treated too late, there can also be permanent consequences such as a deterioration in hearing.
Preventive measures
In order to prevent serious problems from arising in the first place, owners should take good care of their four-legged friends' ears as a preventive measure.
A first step is to get puppies used to the feeling of checking and cleaning their ears. The puppy is allowed to sniff the cleaning cloth and the ears are first touched briefly and playfully, which is followed by a reward. After a short time he gets used to it and can be examined in a relaxed manner. “This is also useful for dogs that are not prone to ear problems. Every dog can get an ear infection at some point and then it is very helpful if they can be treated calmly,” says Schwarz.
Moisture is one of the main causes of ear problems. If water collects in the ears, it can lead to inflammation. Accordingly, the ears should be kept dry if possible. Owners should dry them carefully with a soft towel, especially after swimming, bathing or walking in the rain. “Some dogs also tend to lick the ears of other dogs. This means that not only moisture gets into the ear, but also germs from the oral cavity,” says the veterinarian. Regular cleaning can also help here.
In addition, you should not place the dog basket or its blanket in the immediate vicinity of regularly open windows or fans. Dog ears can also react sensitively to drafts.
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