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Cocker Spaniel Ear Problem



alvin_augustus
Member


Feb 19, 2004, 6:00 PM


Views: 12101
Cocker Spaniel Ear Problem

Is anyone could help me to solve the ear problems for my little cocker spaniel? My question is....... How deep is allow me to wash by the cotton everyday? Am I using finger with cotton or using cotton bud to clean it? i think i hurt my doggie ear... cause i found some blood mark on my cotton whenever after cleaning the ear. please help me....

Alvin Augustus Ng
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surchinmy
Ultra ALPHA

Feb 19, 2004, 6:48 PM


Views: 12099
Re: [alvin_augustus] Cocker Spaniel Ear Problem

Hello ...

Unless you have reasonable experience with dogs ... it is not wise to use a cotton bud to clean the dog's ears ... Dogs (especially dogs not used to ear cleaning) will move and jerk their heads ... and a dog's ear drum is a very delicate & sensitive organ ...

Until you are more experienced, it is safer just to use some cotton wool wrapped round your little finger ...

When you are more confident - get an experienced dog person or vet to actually show you how to use a cotton bud before trying it yourself.

" ... Knowing where in the ear to stop (cleaning) and let the professionals take over calls for a brief review of canine anatomy.

First is the external ear, the part that protrudes from the side of the head or flops over, depending on the breed. Also considered part of the external ear is the gnarled, fleshy (and in some breeds hairy) part around the entrance to the ear canal. That's where the cleaning will start.

From the external opening, the L-shaped ear canal descends vertically before taking a 90-degree bend for a horizontal jaunt to the tympanic membrane or ear drum.

Inside the eardrum is the middle ear with its three little bones that increase the force of sound vibrations and another, smaller membrane called the oval window, also a sound amplifier that leads to the inner ear.

Humans and dogs have pretty much the same equipment for hearing. Except that our ear canals go straight, more or less, to the eardrums while the dogs' take an L-shaped journey.

Because you no more want to puncture your dog's eardrum than your own, restrict your cleaning efforts to the external ear canal - the vertical part before the 90=degree bend - and leave the rest to the veterinarian, who has special equipment and advanced training.

... "It's okay to go as deep as your finger will let you into the external ear canal - or as far as you can see with a flashlight - and gently clean with a cotton-tipped swab," Ward advises. Cotton balls or soft, cotton cloths work well around the entrance to the ear canal, and a gentle, veterinary-recommended cleaner helps the process ..."

For your cotton bud to have hurt the eardrum, you would have had to insert the cotton bud past the "L-90% bend" ... Which I hope is unlikely, and the bleeding may just be from a scratch ...

But take your dog immediately to a vet for a check up. Better to be safe.

Cheers


cnfs
Member


Jul 30, 2004, 11:35 PM


Views: 11847
Re: [alvin_augustus] Cocker Spaniel Ear Problem

Alvin! Chris here.... the article below has a picture showing the anatomy of the dog ear so we know where to clean.....good luck!!

www.purinaone.com/dogcare_cond_atoz_article.asp?Seed=680&ArticleNumber=30007

Regards,
Mr.Chris


silvrash
Enthusiast


Oct 1, 2004, 6:30 AM


Views: 10345
Re: [surchinmy] Cocker Spaniel Ear Problem

hii... wow, you sure know this stuff well.

My cocker spaniel also had ear problem & its seem pretty serious coz smell very terrible & strong Pirate

Actually i just got him today, my parents are thinking to bring him to the vet this weekend but there's only 2 in my place, and i'm not so confident at them(bad experience) so i wanna know is there anyting i need to take notice or get the vet to explain clearly or ask them when they give treatment/medicine/dose???
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surchinmy
Ultra ALPHA

Oct 1, 2004, 6:21 PM


Views: 10330
Re: [silvrash] Cocker Spaniel Ear Problem

Hi ...

Naah ... not well ... just a bit here and there ...Smile

(a) If you are not happy with the vet, then don't go there ... try and find a vet with whom you are comfortable with.

(b) Smelly ears ...

Tell the vet that you just got the Cocker, and tell what history of the dog that you know. For example: It's previous medical history, boarding or living conditions, diet etc.

Take your dog's vaccination card with you.
  • Ask the vet what he/she thinks is causing the smell/excessive wax.
  • Don't be afraid to ask the vet to explain or repeat the explanation. Your understanding of the condition is important. It will allow you to do your own research and help understand how to control, minimise and/or keep the problem away.
  • With very smelly ears ... the most common causes will probably be (a) some sort of bacterial/fungal or yeast infection ... (b) ear mites ... or (c) result of a poor diet ...
  • Also ask the vet to give you particulars of all medication/treatment given ... This is good to know and learn. If creams, injections, ointments, washes/pills are prescribed - ask what they are ... antibiotics? steroids? anticotizone? etc ...


Generally what the vet will do is ... (a) Examine the ear with a scope ... (b) extract the ear wax for examination, and/or for viewing under a microscope ... (c) observe the overall condition of the pup ...

The vet will also usually give the dog's ears a thorough cleaning. Watch how he/she does it ... ask to try.

(c) General check

Since you just got the cocker ... It will also be a good idea to give the dog an overall examination ... check skin, paws ... eyes ... Depending on how old your dog is ... I would ask the vet to consider doing a quick blood test.

General Precautions

Dogs with long floppy ears, seem to have more than their share of ear issues ... Crazy ... Floopy ears cut air circulation and sometimes prevents ears from drying out properly after baths and such ... and when the ears don't dry properly ... the warm moist environment is prone to infection.

So, after bathing ... pay special attention to the eatrs and use some cotton wool wrapped around you little finger, to properly dry out the ears.

Keep the dog's ears clean with regular wipes (cotton wool & a good ear cleaning lotion) ... say twice a week, that always helps ears healthy.

In the evenings, when its cool ... you can even flip the ears back and expose the ear canal ... just let some air get in to circulate ... I find that helps ... I do that with our Beagle, and she will sit quietly with us ... letting her ears get fresh air ...Tongue

All the best with your new dog.

Cheers


silvrash
Enthusiast


Oct 5, 2004, 8:34 PM


Views: 10295
Re: [surchinmy] Cocker Spaniel Ear Problem

HI, thanx for the advices,
we cleaned its ears and it doesn't smell anymore but now he won't let us touch it ??!! donno why, just go growling when we flip it Crazy
we were asked to get a ear spray medicine, said t be better
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surchinmy
Ultra ALPHA

Oct 5, 2004, 11:55 PM


Views: 10281
Re: [silvrash] Cocker Spaniel Ear Problem

Hi ...

Maybe your dog doesn't like his ears touched or maybe the ear cleaning hurt your dog ... or frightened your dog.

Whatever the reason, you have to find out and make sure that the ear cleaning is not painful or fearful for your dog ...

It is very important, as owner to must teach your dog to allow handling ... a dog that is fearful of being handled is very difficult to manage ... Strongly suggest you get a good dog training manual that explains how you can train/teach a dog to accept handling passively and without fear.

Cheers


silvrash
Enthusiast


Oct 14, 2004, 6:41 AM


Views: 10196
Re: [surchinmy] Cocker Spaniel Ear Problem

he'd getting much better liaw.

and guess what i find that he lets my dad flip his ear and no one else Pirate

so pickyCrazy

and thanx for your advices they're really helpful
www.wretch.cc/album/LilLiFashion


tracky
Enthusiast


Nov 20, 2004, 9:22 AM


Views: 9746
Re: [silvrash] Cocker Spaniel Ear Problem

my vet said the dog ear hole is "L" curve...

i use roller tissue to clean for him every week/after he bath

but i found that those RED RED thing come very fast...




sphinx89
Novice


Nov 24, 2004, 6:34 AM


Views: 9734
Re: [silvrash] Cocker Spaniel Ear Problem

my cocker spanial won't let us clean her ears!my bro tried yesterday since he is more experienced wid dogs....she juz started biting and jerking her head but on the day tat we got her the lady at d pet shop showed us how 2 clean her ears and she enjoyed it!wats wrong wid her??help pls!


silvrash
Enthusiast


Nov 24, 2004, 5:54 PM


Views: 9724
Re: [sphinx89] Cocker Spaniel Ear Problem

hi sphinx,
mine was like that tooFrown but now ok liaw, kept shaking his back leg when we clean his earsSly
Frownit could be either; she was hurted when u clean her earlier so she remember uSlySlyTongue
Frownor; u lift the "ear" in a wrong way it hurt her(mine was like that)
Frownor; some dogs tend to be "very very" good/obidient in front of strangers especially when they're in the vetCrazy, my lhasa is like thatPirate, in this case u'll have to find a way to get to her.
Frownyou also can try scratching her while ur bro clean her ears or give her, her toy or something to distract her.
FrownWhat are you using to clean her ears??? cotton ball??
usually most dogs enjoys ear cleaning,
Frowntry doing it after she bath, that should be the time she need/want it most. oh when she bath, remember to rub her 2 flappy ears, if she let u move/lift it the it should be okay.
Hope it helps. Good luck
www.wretch.cc/album/LilLiFashion


sphinx89
Novice


Nov 24, 2004, 10:40 PM


Views: 9716
Re: [silvrash] Cocker Spaniel Ear Problem

thanx for d advice.....couldn't b dat we hurt her cos that was d first time we were cleaning her ears....will try cleaning her ears afta her bath today...if dat doesn't work then will try ur other suggestion!thanx again! Wink


tracky
Enthusiast


Dec 16, 2004, 4:24 PM


Views: 9618
Re: [sphinx89] Cocker Spaniel Ear Problem

Blushmy puppy oso like tat when i try to clean his ear his rear leg keep shakingSlyhe must be very ichy!

but i use roller paper to clean it,cause when he c the cotton stick he will get angry... then he will keep digging the floor....Unimpressed(although he is very cute when he digging the floor...)