Some dogs that have healthy, clean ears may never need to have their ears cleaned. However, it is recommended to clean your dog's ears if you notice discharge or an odor when examining the ear. Your veterinarian can help you decide how often your dog's ears should be cleaned.
Squeeze a veterinary ear-cleaning solution to fill your dog's ear canal and massage gently at the base of the ear for about 30 seconds. You will hear a squishing sound as the product works to dislodge and dissolve any debris and buildup.
While light brown earwax is completely normal, dark-colored earwax can signify a yeast or bacterial infection. If you notice dark brown wax in your dog's ears, it's a good idea to consult a veterinary professional for guidance.
A small amount of wax is part of the ear's self-cleaning system. If the ears look red or have a dark brown or black discharge, or if your dog frequently shakes his head, paws at his ears, or rubs them against the carpet or furniture, he needs a visit to the veterinarian to see what's causing the problem.
Here's what to look for. Healthy earwax should be a pale, yellowish color. If your dog appears to have dark brown or black earwax or if the earwax looks dirty gray instead of golden, this isn't normal. A noticeable increase in wax build-up can be a sign of a problem as well.
Dark brown wax may simply be a build-up of debris and healthy wax. It can be a sign that the ear needs a good clean in minimal amounts. Light amounts of brownish ear wax can simply be gently wiped away with safe dog ear wipes to prevent a build-up and to keep the area dry and clean.
Some dogs that have healthy, clean ears may never need to have their ears cleaned. However, it is recommended to clean your dog's ears if you notice discharge or an odor when examining the ear. Your veterinarian can help you decide how often your dog's ears should be cleaned.
Healthy dog earwax tends to range from pale yellow to light brown, whereas darker colours tend to be associated with infections and should be observed by a veterinarian.
Dog Ear Mites vs Ear Wax: How Can You Tell The Difference? Ear wax is normal in healthy dogs, but regular ear wax is light brown and doesn't have an odor. The wax in dogs with ear mites is usually darker brown or black, resembles coffee grounds, and can give off a foul odor.
Wondering how often your dog's ears need to be cleaned? In general, once per month is a good rule of thumb. Breeds with long, floppy ears or dogs who swim frequently may need to have their ears cleaned every other week, or even weekly. After bathing or swimming, be sure to properly dry your pup's ears.
Ear mites under a microscope.
They are barely visible to the human eye. An infestation produces brownish ear wax, similar in appearance to coffee grounds. Ear mites are contagious and can travel from the ears of an infected dog to any other dogs in close contact.
Ear mites feasting on your dog's ears will likely develop a foul-smelling odor because of the accumulation of dead skin cells, blood, and other fluids. The dark discharge, which looks like coffee grounds, will produce an odor. Some other conditions that cause your pup's ears to smell include: Ear wax buildup.
Ear mites are tiny animals and are a fairly common parasite in both cats and dogs. They look like tiny white dots, but can barely be seen with the naked eye. Ear mites live on the skin of the ear canal and feed off ear wax and skin oils. An adult normally lives for around two months, but they can multiply quickly.
Dark brown or black colored earwax is typically older, so its color comes from the dirt and bacteria it has trapped. Adults tend to have darker, harder earwax. Dark brown earwax that is tinged with red may signal a bleeding injury. Light brown, orange or yellow earwax is healthy and normal.
As a rule of thumb, clean your dogs' ears no more than once each month. However, ear inspection should take place weekly so you can spot any abnormal symptoms as they arise. "Dogs have natural flora inside of their ears that, if disrupted due to overcleaning, will still instead lead to infection," says Dr.
The buildup of wax and debris can contribute to an infection or other problems when left unattended.
Dog Ear Infection Treatment
Your veterinarian will take a swab of the ear discharge and look at it under a microscope to see if it's mites, yeast, or bacteria, and then prescribe the appropriate medication. Treatments include antibiotics, antifungals, and anti-mite medications that are usually applied to the skin.
Ear mites cause intense scratching. If you look in your dog's ears and see dark brown debris that resembles coffee grounds, then your dog most likely has ear mites. This parasite can be shared with cats, dogs and other animals (like the family ferret).
The ears often become red and inflamed and develop an offensive odor. A black or yellowish discharge commonly occurs. In chronic cases, the ears may appear crusty or thickened, and the ear canals often become narrowed (stenotic) due to chronic inflammation.
An ear mite infestation produces a buildup of brownish ear wax that resembles coffee grounds.
The following are some of the best products that kills mites on dogs instantly: OUT! Natural Flea, Tick and Mite Treatment Spray. SynergyLabs Antiparasitic & Antiseborrheic Medicated Shampoo for Dogs.
Because ear mites often trigger a secondary infection in the ear canal, your vet will likely focus on eliminating the mites and treating the infection by: Thoroughly cleaning and flushing the ears.