Since dogs are our most reliable pals, it pays to pay attention to the healthiness of their ears. Cleaning their ears warrants some time and education before proceeding. It is a way to prevent negative health issues. Because their ears can become moist, especially with floppy eared dogs, they can attract bacteria. If you do not clean them, it could result in critical infections. You need to clean the ears on a routine basis with a soothing ear cleanser. A vinegar concoction is a worthwhile recipe.
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Healthy Ears
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Stay abreast of potential ear symptoms that could be indicative of an infection. Healthy ears should have no noticeable buildup of wax and should be pink in color. Look for signs of swelling, wax or dirt buildup, an objectionable odor, inflammation, or if the dog seems to be in pain when you touch the ears. If you notice these signs, do not try to clean the ears. Have your vet assess the situation. If the dog does not receive proper treatment, the infection could lead to long-term ear damage or loss of hearing.
Vinegar Recipe
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Vinegar has anti-microbial properties which makes it a good choice for cleaning your dog's ears. Boil water to add to the mixture to make certain it has been sterilized. Allow it to cool before mixing one-third organic apple cider vinegar and two-thirds of the purified water.
Preparation
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Soak cotton balls in the solution before using it on the dog's ears. Cut back the hairs in the ears for aeration purposes. This will be an aid in staving off bacteria that tends to settle in moist areas. Pull the ear flap up vertically to elongate the ear canal.
Procedure
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Pour the vinegar solution into a dropper. Drip droplets into each of the ears and massage it around with the cotton ball for at least 30 seconds. The dog will then want to shake off the excess water. Cleanse the inner portion of the ears with a tissue to blot the cleaner. Softly rub the lower section of your dog's ear with two fingers for half a minute. You should hear a squishing noise. Let the ear washing solution drain on a cloth by moving the dog's head to the side. When you see drainage coming out, you will know the treatment has been effective.
Caution
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Be certain that your dog does not drink or lick any of the ear wash concoction because vinegar can be an irritant to the dog's esophagus.
Avoid cleaning into the inner depths of the ear to prevent harming your dog's inner ear canal. It is preferable to use cotton balls rather than swabs like Q-tips to keep from going too deeply into the ear which could cause pain.
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