Maltese Ear Cleaning

Cleaning Procedures

• Because the Maltese is a small dog with a lot of energy that can be sensitive about having his ears touched, you may want to wrap your dog in a towel before attempting this procedure. This will keep any commercial ear cleaner or other liquid from getting on the dog's coat or all over the house. If your Maltese is non-reactive to having his ears handled, this may be a one-person job. Other dogs will require a second set of hands to restrain them during the cleaning.

  If you are using a commercial cleaner, put a few drops into the pinna (the outer portion of the ear) and the canals of both ears and gently rub the base of the ear until you hear a squishing sound. This sound means the cleaner is loosening all of the dirt and wax in the ear. At this point, your dog will want to shake his head to get rid of the liquid. Most veterinarians will recommend letting him do so-- holding the towel around his head will keep the liquid and dirt from flying around the room and allow the unused liquid to leave the ear canal.

  You can now use a lightly moistened cotton ball or cotton swab to start cleaning debris from around the pinna and inside the parts of the ear you can see. Very gently, remove the wax and dirt in an upward motion, discarding swabs or cotton balls as they become dirty. Never force a cotton ball or swab down into the ear canal where you can't see it; you might accidentally pierce the eardrum causing infection or hearing loss.

  If you choose not to use a commercial ear cleaner, many veterinarians will recommend a cotton swab and water to remove ear debris. Dip it in a small amount of water to avoid ear infection, Never place the cotton swab into the ear canal.

  Because the Maltese has a lot of hair growing inside its ears that can trap dirt and bacteria, your veterinarian may recommend pulling some of it out with each cleaning. A simple, quick pull of two to three strands with your fingers or a pair of tweezers each time you clean will usually suffice to eventually rid the ear canal of hair. If you don't feel comfortable performing this procedure, ask your groomer or vet to do it for you.

Considerations

• If your Maltese is showing no signs of infection (inflammation, yeasty smell, excessive scratching), most veterinarians will agree cleaning the ears at home is a procedure you can attempt on a regular basis. Should any of these symptoms appear, a vet check is necessary to determine if an infection is involved and the animal needs medical attention. You also need to decide whether to use a commercial ear cleaner or make your own. The advice of your vet may allay any qualms you have when making this decision.