Ear "INSPECTION!"

I cannot emphasize enough on this topic because, I am guilty of laziness and negligence leading to my companion having to visit the Vet. It is alright, if it happens once in a while, but if otherwise then please readjust.

The ears should be routinely inspected. Look out for bugs, burrs, dirt and scratching.

Symptoms of ear problem:

# Constant shaking of the head
# Rubbing the ears with the paws.
# Rubbing the ears with paws while lying sideways on the ground.
# Excessive earwax.
# Redness or swelling.
# Foul ordor coming from the ears.

If you encounter these problem, then please take Fido to the Vet. You do not have the skills to treat him.

However, there are some things you could to avoid these problems, and the success rate will be dependent on your patience and action.

Use a torch, a small one wll do and look into his ear to lookout for dirt and abnormal ear wax. You can routinely swap the outer area of the ear, the layer that is easily reach with a cotton ball which you can purchase from the pet shop, which are already dampened with an ear cleaning liquid, or water. If not then use any cotton ball and moist it with warm water.

Never probe deep inside the ear canal as this can bring great pain, and you can easily damage this sensitive organ.

If cleanliness is a continual problem, then I suggest you ask your Vet for some ointments for cleaning the outer ears. If you are buying one from the pet shop, avoid any oily compound, which may be sticky and pick up more dirt and that will compound the problem.

Most Vet, will give you instructions to do the cleaning at home if your dog have a chronc ear problem.

One of the most common ear problems are simple abrasions, and your Vet, will tell you what to apply. Otitis, (cause by bacteria or mites) the inflammation of the ear, can be treated by your Vet. If your dog shows signs of sensitivity, when you touches its ears, then he could be harboring a ear infection, and would require the attention of the Veterinarian.

Deafness can be the tragic results of untreated or incorrect treatment of ear infection.