Missjoy

This isn't a health question about keeping the ear canals clean (although I've had my fun with that) but Maggie's ears are always dirty. When she runs and plays she drools, that drool rubs onto her ears at mouth level and then she gets them dirty or dusty and so there is almost always a layer of mud there.

I'm wondering if anyone has found a quick way to clean without an entire bath?

mgbrown66

Wet wipes work well for me.

MissMolly

I wash Molly's ears with just a warm washcloth. Especially after dinner time.

We also keep kleenex near the couch so when she sits on us, we clean the inside of her ears withouth much fuss.

__________________
Andy, Amanda & Molly

www.mrsamandawheeler.blogspot.com
http://www.firstgiving.com/Wheelers

BubbaLeroy

Huggies baby wipes!!

__________________
You don't own a Basset, a Basset owns you!!
Aroooooos from Bogie !! - Trumbull's Who's Teasin Bogart CGC- Born April 21, 2005
ATB: Bubba - (Trumbull's Surley It's Stormin Norman) Sept. 8, 1998 - Dec. 20, 2005

2hounds

I too use either baby wipes or a warm wet washcloth.

~Heather

__________________
Mommy to Gibbs and kitty kitty Eva

Dear sweet Lily (ATB ) you will never be forgotten.

Bev

I need some solutions with this one, too! Copper's ears are always crusty!

buckshot

Here is the perfect solution to keep your hound's ears cleaned.

16 oz. bottle isopropyl alcohol (or witch hazel)
4 tablespoons Boric Acid Powder
16 drops Gentian Violet 1% Solution

Mix all ingredients in the alcohol bottle & shake. (make sure you shake before every application).

Treatment: Fill ear with solution & massage gently for 30 seconds and wipe with a tissue. Fill a second time and just wipe without massaging. The dog will shake the excess out. Be careful, the Gentian Violet could stain. I use a eye dropper to fill the ear.

Treatment:
2 times per day for the first 2 weeks
1 time per day for the next 2 weeks
1 time per month thereafter

If you are concerned about the alcohol burning the inside of the ear (it could if the dog has been scratching its ear), then you can substitute the alcohol with witch hazel.

All ingredients are available at a pharmacy. The Boric Acid is usually in the First Aid section where you find the alcohol. The Gentian Violet will be the hardest to find and may need to be special ordered.

This will also treat ear mites.

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Betsy Iole

If there's dried-on material, a shedding blade run gently over the ear leather works well. I've also heard a stripping knife works well, but I haven't tried one.

__________________
Betsy, Mom to
CH Bugle Bay's Sin City Caper UD RE TD BHCA-VC
CH Bugle Bay's Sin City Cuppa Joe TD
CH Bugle Bay's AllUCanEat Buffet CDX RN TDX NA CGC BHCA-VCX, 1996-2008
"Bugsie" UDX NA NAJ CGC, 1991-2006

bcc11

FYI, Gentian Violet stains like the dickins! If you use, use outside or somewhere you don't mind blue spots.

Stephn

Brandy really likes this solution for cleaning her ears better than any the vet has given us. She doesn't shake her head as much so it seems not to bother her as much. She hates her ears cleaned. I wear plastic gloves and use it outside only. It can be used on the outside of the ears to clean also it works very fast. I used it on itch spots also. My nephews retriever had a hot spot by his tail and they were using all kinds of creams and medication to help. When he tried this solution it cleared it up after a week and he uses it to keep the hot spots gone.
Stephanie