What's The Best Way To Clean Floppy Dog Ears?

[macka]

As per title, what's the best way to clean floppy dog ears? With the weather warming up a bit Leia's ears need some more attention. Not sure my method is the best one.

Thanks

[ellz]

What do you use to clean them?

A good home remedy is 50/50 white vinegar and water. Or if the ears aren't inflamed, you could use 50/50 water and isopropyl alcohol (rubbing alcohol) but never use this if the ears are sore because it will hurt the dog.

Put it into a sauce type squeeze bottle and squirt it gently into the ears. Massage well into the base, you should be able to hear and feel it "squelch" in the base of the ear. Wipe just inside the surface of the ear canal (DON'T DIG DEEP) and around the ear leather itself.

Ideally you should do the "sniff test" on a daily basis and if you smell anything yeasty, the ears need cleaning.

[macka]

I have been using Triocil shampoo but only wiping out the inside surface - haven't massaged into the ear like you have suggested, so maybe that's the problem. Ears aren't inflamed, just a bit smelly.

[ellz]

I don't specifically know about Triocil, but I know Malaseb is great in ears.

But definitely get down and dirty at the base of the ear. That's where the problems start. Loosening it allows it to come to the surface so that it can be wiped away and stops it from becoming a sodden, clumped mass in the base of the ear.

[macka]

double post

Edited October 29, 2009 by macka

[macka]

Ok, think I've got a bottle of Malaseb lying around somewhere as well so I'll give it a go, thanks!