How to Prevent Ear Infections in Golden Retrievers

Golden retrievers are more susceptible than other dog breeds to ear infections because their ears flop over. The majority of ear infections can be treated successfully if they are noticed early enough. In many cases, it is important for a veterinary surgeon to examine the dog once it begins to show symptoms of an ear condition, but the owner can take steps to prevent ear infections from developing. If ignored, though, ear infections can escalate into a serious problem.

Things You'll Need

  • Cotton wool
  • Grooming scissors
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Instructions

    • 1

      Watch your golden retriever for early signs of an ear infection. The dog will begin to shake its head or begin to rub the infected ear with a paw, or against furniture or the ground. There may be discharge from the ear and it could appear red and inflamed. The earlier you treat the condition, the better.

    • 2

      Avoid getting water into your golden retriever's ears when you are bathing the dog. Place cotton wool into your dog's ear canals prior to washing.

    • 3

      Check your golden retriever's ears after it has been for a walk in grassy areas. Plant seeds frequently become attached to the hair on and surrounding the ear flaps and later work their way down the ear canal, causing infection.

    • 4

      Check your golden retriever's ear flaps if it has been in a dog fight. Bacteria will grow easily on blood and can typically infect the ear canal after physical trauma to the ears has occurred.

    • 5

      Shave thick hair on the underside of the ear flap if your golden retriever experiences repeated ear infections. This allows for better air circulation, which keeps the ear dry. This is a valuable practice, because the flopped ears of a golden retriever do not typically for air circulation.

    • 6

      Prevent the grooming parlor from plucking hair out of your golden retriever's ear canal. Although this is often the practice in professional grooming establishments, serum will ooze from the open hair pores, which are then predisposed to infection.

    • 7

      Cut away any seriously matted balls of hair that may occur around the ear in individual golden retrievers.