Page 1 of 2 12 LastLast
Results 1 to 15 of 17

Thread: Dirty ear???

  1. #1
    Join Date
    Sep 2002
    Location
    New England
    Posts
    7,660

    Dirty ear???

    We were doing what we call a PM (Preventative maintenance) on Malone yesterday, which included nails, teeth, ears, heartworm, frontline, and a thorough brushing, and we do this once a month. When it was time to do his ears, he totally flipped on us. Usually he is OK about it, and we put him into a settle and he stays. Not yesterday. Nope. Uh uh. He growled at us and completely flipped out.

    It took both of us to put him into a settle, and when I looked into his one ear, it had all this GUNK in it. The other ear was completely normal and clean. The cotton balls came out just as clean as when they went in. The dirty ear took 5 or 6 cottonballs until it was clean. I just checked his ears again, and the dirty one is already got gunk in it.

    Does anyone know what this means??? Is there a problem?? Should I be concerned enough to call the vets????

    Any insight would really be appreciated. Thanks!!

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Jan 2002
    Location
    Off to the races....
    Posts
    11,252
    Sounds like maybe Malone has an ear infection. Some amount of dirt/wax is normal, but this sounds excessive. Do you notice a bad smell? Does it look more red than pink? They are a few signs it may be infected.

    All of our dogs have had ear infections at one time or another and they are usually cured pretty easily. I would take him to the vet's, have them to an ear swab and get him some meds

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Apr 2001
    Location
    indianapolis,indiana usa
    Posts
    22,881
    Sounds like Malone should see the Vet about his ear. If it
    is that sensitive to touch, it must be very painful to him. It's a
    very good thing that you do these p.m. checks on the dogs as
    you are more likely to catch problems early on. Hope you feel
    better soon Malone.
    I've Been Boo'd

    I've been Frosted






    Today is the oldest you've ever been, and the youngest you'll ever be again.

    Eleanor Roosevelt

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Jun 2000
    Posts
    12,662
    It sounds like Malone may have a yeast infection in his ear. Poodles frequently are plagued by these nasty infections and it is one of the reasons why plucking the hairs out of a poodle's ears is so necessary. Out of the 6 poodles that I have had, 3 have had this problem including Bella. I get an ear wash from the vet and there is also a salve that he gives me to use when it flares up. You will need to take Malone to the vet, though, to make sure just exactly what kind of infection it is. They get a culture with a cotten swab and can tell you pretty much right away what it is. Poor Malone. I can tell when Bella is starting up with one because she does a lot of shaking of her head. Let us know what the vet says, OK? ((hugs)) to Malone. Bella says it is no fun.

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Sep 2002
    Location
    New England
    Posts
    7,660
    Thank you all very much for the info. I'm planning on calling tomorrow morning.

    I haven't noticed any foul odor, nor is he really scratching his ears. However, both Mark & I have noticed that in the last couple of weeks he has really REALLY enjoyed us rubbing his ears, so maybe they are bothering him to a certain degree.

    I will let you know what the vet says tomorrow.

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Feb 2001
    Location
    Happy Valley, Utah
    Posts
    12,552
    Yes, it does sound like he may have an infection in the one ear.....dogs with ears that fold down have a worse tendency of getting dirty ears, as moisture, etc. gets trapped easier. I know I've cleaned out Lady's ears many times and always get at least 4 dirty cotton balls from her, and Nebo's are never dirty. If he has a tendency to get dirty ears, you may have to clean them once a week or so.

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Jun 2000
    Posts
    12,662
    Originally posted by Cookiebaker
    However, both Mark & I have noticed that in the last couple of weeks he has really REALLY enjoyed us rubbing his ears, I will let
    Yep, that sounds like Bella. When you rub her ear (it's always the left one) she pushes her head into your hand. I think it itches down in the canal. She doesn't scratch her ear but she does shake her head with her ears flapping loudly at 2:00 AM and with her IDs, etc. clanging in the night. Then I know something is up! Good luck tomorrow and let us know what you find out.

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Jan 2002
    Location
    Riding my bike somewhere...
    Posts
    26,408
    Sounds alot like Simba's ear porblem.

    He used to be horrible, he still has it but just not as bad. He's had it for years. We don't do it as much as we used to but we got an ear flush from the vet that we used to have to flush it everyday.

    ~Kay, Athena, Ace, Kiara, Mufasa, & Alice!
    "So baby take a axe to your makeup kit
    Set ablaze the billboards and their advertisements
    Love with all your hearts and never forget
    How good it feels to be alive
    And strive for your desire"

    -rx bandits

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Jan 2002
    Location
    Riding my bike somewhere...
    Posts
    26,408
    Originally posted by Pam
    Yep, that sounds like Bella. When you rub her ear (it's always the left one) she pushes her head into your hand.

    Simba does that as well but with his right ear.

    ~Kay, Athena, Ace, Kiara, Mufasa, & Alice!
    "So baby take a axe to your makeup kit
    Set ablaze the billboards and their advertisements
    Love with all your hearts and never forget
    How good it feels to be alive
    And strive for your desire"

    -rx bandits

  10. #10
    Join Date
    Jan 2003
    Location
    Kelowna, BC
    Posts
    12,062
    I'd take him to the vet to get his ears washed. Cleaning with cotton balls/ cutips doesn't really help. It will wipe away some of the outer gunk, but push alot of it farther into the ear, making it likely that the ear will get infected.
    I've been BOO'd!

  11. #11
    Join Date
    Oct 2000
    Location
    U.S.A.
    Posts
    8,039

    Re: Dirty ear???

    Poor Malone,

    Once he see's the vet,
    I am sure he will feel so much better.

    Will be thinking of Mr. Malone.


    ----<---<--<{(@

  12. #12
    Join Date
    Aug 2002
    Location
    Upstate NY
    Posts
    8,040
    As said before dogs w/ floppy ears tend to get dirtier faster. My rott has to have her ears cleaned out a few times a month in the summer as she is always swimming & playing in the dirt, plus the humidity does not help. My husky mixes only need theirs cleaned out once a month & they are not even dirty. I check my dogs over once a week.

    A few pointers for the future, especially for floppy eared dogs: Clean ears w/ a cleaner that contains a drying agent in it.
    Clean the ears after bathing & swimming
    When the dog is just lying down flip the ear so that the air can get to it
    Sometimes in between cleanings just a dry swipe with a tissue can help
    Soar high & free my sweet fur angels. I love you Nanook & Raustyk... forever & ever.


  13. #13
    Join Date
    Jan 2002
    Location
    Off to the races....
    Posts
    11,252
    How's Malone's ear?

  14. #14
    Join Date
    Jan 2003
    Location
    Kelowna, BC
    Posts
    12,062
    Originally posted by lv4dogs
    Clean ears w/ a cleaner that contains a drying agent in it.
    Alcohol is great for drying.
    I've been BOO'd!

  15. #15
    Join Date
    Jun 2000
    Posts
    12,662
    I would be a little hesitant to use alcohol in the event that there might be a little infection going on in there and it would burn like crazy. I remember years ago my daughter had swimmer's ear (not the same thing as what we are talking about, but it did involve an infection inside the ear). I put a drop in her ear, with an alcohol base, and it almost sent her through the ceiling. I guess what I am trying to say, is to check with the vet first to see what really is going on down inside that ear and then treat it however he advises.

Similar Threads

  1. A Very Little Dirty Dog
    By 4 Dog Mother in forum Dog General
    Replies: 22
    Last Post: 09-04-2008, 07:49 PM
  2. Replies: 3
    Last Post: 08-19-2006, 04:18 PM
  3. Dirty, Dirty Dog!!!
    By Glacier in forum Dog General
    Replies: 15
    Last Post: 06-22-2004, 05:22 PM

Bookmarks

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •  

Copyright © 2001-2013 Pet of the Day.com