Beagles are often noted for their long, drooping ears; but this characteristic breed trademark makes the beagle susceptible to a variety of ear-related problems. Air does not pass as freely through the pendulous ears of a beagle as it does through the ears of breeds with upright ears, and this lack of air allows moisture to settle into the ear canals, leading to frequent ear infections. Treating ear infections is necessary to prevent discomfort and hearing loss in your beagle.
Things You'll Need
- Pet ear cleaning solution
- Cotton ball
- Ear medication
- Towel
- Treats
Instructions
Observe your beagle for signs of an ear infection. A dog with an ear infection will shake its head and scratch its ears in an attempt to get the fluid out of the ear canal. Infected ears also will appear red and swollen and will produce a pungent odor.
Schedule an appointment with your veterinarian if you suspect your beagle has an infection. Your vet will examine the ear with an otoscope to make sure the eardrum is intact and will take a swab of the fluid to determine what is causing the ear infection. The vet will prescribe a medication based on the cytology findings and will give you instructions on administering it.
Clean the ears with a cotton ball soaked in ear cleaning solution. Rub the cotton ball over the inside of the long ear flaps to remove any pus or wax, holding the ear up to allow it to air dry. Add a few drops of the cleaning solution into the ear canal and massage the base of the ear gently to help break up the fluid inside, swabbing with a clean cotton ball to remove the discharge and clean the ear in preparation for medication.
Insert the tip of the medication bottle into the ear canal, squeezing the medication into the ear canal. Rub the base of the ear to help move the medication deeper into the ear canal before releasing the dog. It may shake its head, which will loosen discharge and debris dissolved by the medication.
Wipe the ears with a clean towel to remove any remaining discharge that may have been loosened by the shaking, and reward your dog with its favorite treat for standing quietly during the medication process.