Diana Myers
Some still smile in disbelief at the idea of brushing dogs’ teeth. But if you don’t neglect dental care for your four-legged friend, you’ll smile longer. Because dental diseases are more common in the offspring of wolves than you think and have worse consequences than you think.
Gentle cleaning of the dog’s ears as part of the grooming routine
At best, the dog should be accustomed to checking its ears like a puppy. It is useful when the animal’s head is resting on the lap. It is advisable to use a cloth wrapped around your index finger to carefully remove dirt and earwax from the external auditory canal. This should be done at least once a month, especially for dogs with hanging floppy ears, as air circulation is not guaranteed dirt particles can easily accumulate and parasites can nest.
Proper ear cleaning with rinsing solutions
Under no circumstances should cleaning be carried out using cotton swabs. The risk of injury is too high and can lead to inflammation. One possible method is to use special cleaning solutions for dogs, which are dropped into the ear canal. After a light massage and a short exposure time, the dirt particles will loosen and be removed while the dog shakes its ears to get rid of the liquid.
Ear infection – Already in the early stages to the vet
Untreated ear infections can progress to middle ear infections and, in chronic cases, even cause severe balance problems and permanent brain damage. For this reason, the dog’s ears should be checked regularly for their health. Reddening or swelling of the ear canal as well as regular scratching or shaking of the dog’s head are the first signs of an ear infection caused by mites. If the dog responds with pain when the ear is touched, it may mean that the infection is already acute. If the inside of the ear is unusually wet and there is a dark or purulent, often foul-smelling discharge, this is a warning sign of a serious condition that needs to be treated as soon as possible to prevent permanent damage. In such a case, you should refrain from attempting treatment yourself, as this can actually worsen the condition. Only the veterinarian can make the correct diagnosis and initiate the appropriate therapy based on the findings.