Ear Cleaning

I clean my dogs' ears maybe once or twice a year.  And that's pretty much just to make me feel better, they don't ever have any gunk in them, despite both of them being floppy-eared beasties.

When I do clean, I use a paper towel or wash rag wrapped around my finger, damped with either plain water or a weak water/vinegar mixture.  My allergy dog has reacted to every commercial ear cleaner we've tried (including one the vet said he'd never had a dog react to), so they're off-limits for us.

 I clean every few months.  I use ear cleaning pads I get from the pet store, like $7 for 100 I think.

Dudley must be unusual then,because he has one ear that has wax in it pretty bad every time I clean it.The hair grows in his ears really fast too,because of the breed,so I have to get that out often.He tells me when his ear is bothering him,by rubbing it,so out comes the cleaner.I havn't had a bit of trouble with the R-7 products.Just lucky I guess:0

 I do Luke's once a week. I use a powder, I think it's called four or something like that, that I got from dog.com a few years ago for Max. I used to do Max's ears every 4-6 weeks. He had no ear problems for a long time, then started getting gunky. Luke has had no problems so far, so I just keep doing what I'm doing.

 I've never cleaned Tootsies ears. She goes to the groomer once a month and they do it.

 Hairy dogs have different ears than "regular" dogs, guys. Dudley has ear hair, that probably has to be removed, or it traps moisture. Ena has it, too.

I use the R-7 stuff, on Ena, about every 5-6 weeks. Her ears are only a little hairy. Emma gets cleaner from the vet, every 2 weeks, because she has horrifying allergies. It has some sort of coating stuff in it, and it keeps them from getting irritated.

We don't often have to clean thankfully.  I used to have to do Legend's ears often, as he had allergies. Though we controlled any itching signs by avoiding most of his allergens, his ears were problems once in awhile.

The do it yourself dog wash has some ear cleaner that I love, but which I did not pay attention to the name of. Although the insides of their ears stay clean, sometimes the dogs get some surface dirt out the outer earflap. This takes it right off and smells vaguely of peppermint.  I'll have to pay attention next time, although knowing my luck it won't be on the shelf. I cannot stand the smell of the stuff I have from the vet.

I like the R-7 cleaner,and its nice to know i'm not the only one who cleans ears often,LOL,

I do feed Science Diet light from the Feed n farm store not the kind from the vet,although we have tried it.I can't chnge Dudleys food because of his bowel Disease,but I really didn't notice much change in his ear wax when we put him on it many years ago.Hmmm interesting

 Emma eats Hills Z/D, because of tummy and allergy issues. I don't change things up, much, either

I use Nature's Specialties ear cleaner, in the shop. It smells pepperminty, and is great for ickity, moist ears.

 When I adopted my Maltese last year his ears were a fright. Had to go through 3 rounds of antibiotics and he still had a lot of gunk really deep in his ear canal.Nasty! I started him on Wellness and now I just clean his ears once every 2 weeks and he hasn't had any further infections or excessive wax. I use a Yukka ear wash that smells soooo amazing. I love rubbing my nose against his head the day after cleaning his ears...lol...My other 2 dogs never really have much wax, so I use the yummy yukka wash on them once every few months..just so I can rub my nose in their heads and sniff

Not sure how I missed this --

I use the old Blue Power Ear Solution (I make it -- boric acid, alcohol and gentian violet) -- it's straightened out MANY problems and truly helps with yeasty ears.

Billy is super prone to allergies -- I use Zymox drops (not the ear wash) when his ears get allergy-irritated and those drops are truly awesome.  They're enzymatic -- but regular vets carry the stuff.

 I've never cleaned Kirby's ears since they have never gotten dirty or had any ear build up to warrant cleaning.  I prefer to treat his ears the same way I've always been told by doctors to deal with mine and that is don't fuss with them unless there is a problem.