Are You Taking Good Care Of Your Dog's Ears?
Your dog depends on you to ensure it is healthy and happy. One part of taking care of its health is caring for the ears. Ear infections are common for dogs, and also preventable in many instances. If you have a dog, here is what you need to know about caring for its ears.
Why Is Cleaning Your Dog's Ears Important?
It might seem odd to ask this question, but there are many dog owners who simply overlook the ears when cleaning their dogs. It is not intentional, but forgetting could prove to be a serious mistake.
One possible consequence of not cleaning the ears on a regular basis is an ear infection could develop. The infection can occur after having ear mites, excessive moisture, excessive hair, or foreign bodies in the ears.
Once the infection occurs, it could lead to even bigger issues. For instance, if the middle ear is infected, facial nerve paralysis could occur. Your dog could even suffer an aural hematoma. Simply cleaning your dog's ears could prevent this.
Your dog could also experience temporary deafness. A wax buildup can not only impact your dog's ability to hear, but can sometimes cause pain.
How Do You Clean Your Dog's Ears?
Cleaning your dog's ears can take a few minutes, but your dog will most likely love some aspects of it. You can start by squirting an ear cleansing solution in your dog's ear. Talk to your dog's vet for solution recommendations. Once the solution is in the ear, you can massage the base of the dog's ear for a few seconds.
When you release your dog, it will likely shake its head. This can help with loosening any debris that is in your dog's ears. You can use a dry cloth to remove the debris.
If you have trouble with cleaning your dog's ears or want to ensure that it is done properly, consider taking it to a groomer. A groomer can not only clean the ears, but also inspect your dog's ears for signs of an infection.
Proper cleaning is important because if water remains in the ear, an infection could still develop. Your dog could have a yeasty smell in its ears and have extreme redness. A groomer will make sure the ears are properly drained to prevent this issue. Regular visits to the groomer will also give your dog a chance to be pampered. Check with a company like Spring Hill Veterinary Clinic for more information.