The Best Way to Clean a Pug's Ears

Cleansers

• There are numerous types of solutions available for cleaning the ears. Ear cleaning solutions can be obtained through pet shops, online pharmacies and veterinary hospitals. The type of ear cleaning solution chosen will depend on the purpose of the ear cleaning.

  For pugs with healthy ears, an ear cleaner containing a mild cleansing agent is generally adequate. Mild cleansing agents include alcohol, propylene glycol, lanolin oil, oil of eucalyptus, aloe vera, vitamin E oil, tea tree oil and cassia oil. Home remedies for cleaning the ears of a pug include mineral oil or a mixture of equal amounts of white vinegar and water.

  For pugs with wax within the ear canal, ear cleaners containing ceruminolytic agents may be chosen. Ceruminolytics include squalene and dioctyl sodium sulfosuccinate (DSS).

  Dogs with inflamed ears, an excessive amount of discharge from the ears, or other symptoms of ear disease such as shaking the head or scratching at the ears may require examination by a veterinarian to adequately diagnose and treat the ear disease. For pugs diagnosed with bacterial or yeast infections, anti-microbial agents may be chosen. These include TrizEDTA, chlorhexidine, acetic acid, boric acid and many others. Ketoconazole, an anti-fungal medicine, is included in some ear cleaners as an aid in controlling yeast infections. Enrofloxicin, an antibiotic, may be added to other cleansers for use in treating bacterial infections.

Cleaning

• The safest and most common method of ear cleaning is ear rinsing. This procedure works well for pugs and is the safest and easiest way to clean a pug's ears.

  To rinse a dog's ears, fill the ear canal with the ear cleaner and massage the ear canal to loosen the wax and debris inside. Massage the canal by placing one finger on either side of the ear canal and rubbing gently. The ear canal is palpable as a flexible tube running just under the skin below the opening of the ear. Release the dog to allow him to shake the cleaning solution out of the ear. Alternatively, tilt the dog's head to one side to drain the ear cleaner from the ear canal. Finally, gently swab the excess fluid and debris from the ear using cotton balls. Never use cotton tipped applicators to clean a dog's ears as they can damage the eardrum.

  Another method of ear cleaning involves suctioning the ear with a bulb syringe. This method of ear cleaning is usually more effective than ear rinsing. However, it involves more expertise than ear rinsing and has a higher risk for injuring the ear if performed incorrectly. In pugs, the ear canal may be small and narrow, making suctioning even more difficult and riskier. Therefore, usually rinsing is recommended for home care rather than suctioning.