what do you clean your dog's ears with?

[MVons]

I'm a little tee-d off that I followed a website's suggestion to clean the ear with rubbing alcohol before taping. Well that is the ear that is gunked up. Then I cleaned it again with the same and it is irritated. So I finally looked at my Vet book "Dog Owner's Home Veterinary Handbook" (required when you live so far from a Vet) and they said to not clean with anything other than mineral oil when maintaining the ear.:ARG: Then for infections with pus you clean with weak hydrogen peroxide or surgical soap.

How I wish I read this before the whole ear taping. Now I need to find/buy some mineral oil.

[mtoy]

When Link had gunky ears I used a home made solution of about 1 part white vinegar, 2 parts distilled water with a splotch of witch hazel and a few drops of lavender and eucalyptus oil. Shake well. I put it in a dropper bottle so I could just drop it in to the ears and Linky could shake it right out. Then I'd wipe. He hated it when it was cold but if I kept the bottle in my pocket for a few hours first he tolerated it.

I can see why they recommended cleaning with alcohol, the oil would have prevented the tape from adhering. Can't win for losing, I guess.

[MissGambler's+Mojo'sMommy]

Merrie, sorry to interrupt the thread, but just had to comment on Chester's new avatar photo, he is so cute, and I LOVE his ears!

[MVons]

Merrie, sorry to interrupt the thread, but just had to comment on Chester's new avatar photo, he is so cute, and I LOVE his ears!Thank you, you can see the big avatar photo on the "we have ear lift off" thread!

[ColColt]

I can't help but remembering that old gospel song, I'll Fly Away" when I saw this. He has definitely been doing some growing. Before you can turn around he'll be grey so, just enjoy every minute of every day with him and his cuteness, Merrie. Take lots and lots of videos and pictures. You'll never regret a one. I've taken half a dozen just this evening after I got home!!

[taflar]

I'm a little tee-d off that I followed a website's suggestion to clean the ear with rubbing alcohol before taping. Well that is the ear that is gunked up. Then I cleaned it again with the same and it is irritated. So I finally looked at my Vet book "Dog Owner's Home Veterinary Handbook" (required when you live so far from a Vet) and they said to not clean with anything other than mineral oil when maintaining the ear.:ARG: Then for infections with pus you clean with weak hydrogen peroxide or surgical soap.

I don't think it was the alcohol that caused the gunk. Sheltie people clean their dogs ears with alcohol before they put the moleskin on them. I did it with my sheltie puppy too.

And I've used alcohol on a q-tip or cotton ball to clean ears at times too.

I'd bet it's the tape that's irritated the ears.

I never use mineral oil, I think it's too messy/greasy. I use "Oti-Cleanse" when I can get it.

Peggy

[MVons]

I'd bet it's the tape that's irritated the ears. PeggyI'm sure that was it too. When I wiped with the mineral oil, it didn't sting like the alcohol. But the cloth had spots of blood, sob! We'll see how he looks in the morning. Boy could I really see the ears to clean them when I used sunlight compared to the house light. Amazing all the nooks and crannies.

Meanwhile, just in case it is thrush or bacteria, he got kefir and yogurt. He loves this type of "medicine". Even after loosing his breakfast on the way down he weighed 17.3 pounds and still has a skinny waste. The groomer said he has never seen front paws this big on a corgi before. Oh my.

[taflar]

I'm sure that was it too. When I wiped with the mineral oil, it didn't sting like the alcohol. But the cloth had spots of blood, sob! We'll see how he looks in the morning. Boy could I really see the ears to clean them when I used sunlight compared to the house light. Amazing all the nooks and crannies.

I'll agree that the alcohol will sting if there's a cut or scrape on the ear.

The groomer said he has never seen front paws this big on a corgi before. Oh my.

Feet and ears on corgi puppies - :) They grow into them. I've had people tell me with feet like that you're going to have a big dog on your hands. I tell them no I won't, won't get any taller than 12 inches or so. They never belive me.

Peggy

[Fluffypants]

I use the Drs. Foster & Smith ear wipes. Nice & easy.

ETA: I tried to post the link here, but it keeps getting hung up. Sorry.

[MVons]

I use the Drs. Foster & Smith ear wipes. Nice & easy.I always find something else to buy after I place an order. Thanks, I'll add it to my wish list so I'll have it for the next order.

I got their window cling for emergency "Rescue my pet inside". Pack of four so I'll have 3 to give out here to others who might be away during an evacuation. They are nice and bright so firefighters won't be able to miss it. A fluke that I found it on their website. Just so many items to buy for a pet.

[Jespah]

I've always used mineral oil to clean my guys - which is very rare. The cats do a good job maintaining my dogs appearances - can you order a cat or two??:BIGGRIN"

[Sizzledog]

Doberman people always use alcohol or peroxide to clean off ears before taping - it dries the ear and kills any harmful bacteria.

However, I did have a puppy once whose ears turned bright red when we used alcohol - some dogs are just hypersensitive to it.

For regular ear maintenance, I use Witch Hazel.