How To Clean A Dog's Ears And Use Ear Cleaners In Dogs

Use of ear cleaners discussed in TheAnswerVet.com

Pet health care questions and answers about puppies and dogs

All About Cleaning A Dog's Ears
Could the "ear cleaner" applications be
contributing to your dog's ear troubles?

Important tips to consider before you clean your dog's ears.
There are few problems in dogs that are as common as those associated with the ears. Learn about the correct way to clean a dog's ears and how to treat a few common ear disorders. In many cases of otitis (inflammation of the ears) in dogs the underlying problem has not been identified... and you, the dog's owner, has not been shown just how to correctly apply medications or clean the ears. Read on...

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Question:
Can you tell me why I have to go back to the veterinarian about twice a year, every year, to get all sorts of ridiculously expensive topical medications and ear cleaners and shots and pills for my dogs' ear problems?
Why isn't there something that will cure ear problems and be done with it? I'm about ready to give up.

Answer: dog ear cleaners... how to clean ears... ear cleaner otitis
I can't count the times I have heard your exact words over the past 42 years of small animal practice. I believe I, and some of my fellow veterinarians, sometimes have not fully explained exactly what is going on in your individual dog's ear environment, why the otitis reoccurs, what you can do to prevent flare-ups of otitis, and what methods of treatment will work best for your unique dog.
Reoccurring otitis can be primary or secondary. A primary reason would be genetic driven anatomy such as excessive sebum production onto the skin of the external ear surfaces, deep or crooked ear canals, folds of ear tissue obstructing normal aeration and drying of the the deep canal areas. These cases may need surgical intervention to excise the abnormal folds and to remove the vertical portion of the ear canal via an external ear canal resection.

Ear cleaner otitis is assumed to be present when the ear tissues are inflammed and irritated but visibly "clean" and do not have a buildup of wax and debris. If the pet owner repeatedly applies ear cleaner and the signs of discomfort, reddened tissues and swelling persist, use of the ear cleaner should be stopped.
When the ear cleaner use is stopped and the ear tissue inflammation (redness, itchiness, pain) ceases, an ear cleaner sensitivity is likely. Only use an ear cleaner when visible waxy debris buildup is present.

Secondary causes of chronic otitis are those induced by environment, diet, allergy and immune competence. The end result of these secondary causes will be itchy, inflamed, ulcerative and infected tissues. If the secondary cause is not eliminated, no matter what you do to clean or disinfect the ear, the signs of otitis will return. So getting at the cause of the otitis is mandatory for efficient control of the reoccurring problem. Your veterinarian may need to do bacterial culturing, biopsies, microscopic analyses of surface debris, allergy testing and dietary upgrades. As well, chronic otitis problems can result from using some ear cleaners if the cleaner initiates an allergic sensitivity in the very tissues it is being used to treat! If the ear tissues are clean (no waxy debris seen, no dark debris buildup) and are simply reddened and itchy or painful, ear cleaner is not indicated and shouldn't be used.
It is interesting to keep in mind that the dog's external ear anatomy and ear canal configuration constitutes a perfect incubator of microbes! Bacteria, yeast, and fungi love the extra oily secretions from affected dermal lining on which these organisms thrive. The ear environment is dark, moist, retains moisture and is difficult for us humans to inspect and wipe clean.

If debris/waxy buildup gradually return after the ear skin surfaces have been cleaned, occasional use

Post operative view of the lateral ear canal surgery on a dog

of simple alcohol dampened cotton balls to dissolve and remove the wax may be an ideal way to control the secondary infections that occur whenever debris buildup is present.
Most dogs never need to have their ears cleaned. Most dogs with hairs in their external ear tissues and canals never need to have the hairs plucked. Unless debris is present such as dirt, wax, oily secretions or foreign material in the external ear structures no ear cleaning needs to be done. Many ear problems are caused by inflammation of ear tissues resulting from allergy, anatomical predispositions, contact with irritants such as pollens, house dust, or lake/pond water containing algae, microorganisms, plant material and suspended particles.
Repeatedly treating reoccurring "ear infections" often fails to cure the problem permanently because the infections (usually bacteria and yeast organisms) are secondary outcomes from another, primary cause. If you don't discover the cause of the organisms' overgrowth you will be doomed to continuously treat the result. Learn more...

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Information about ear cleaners and ear drying agents
Some of the data below is derived from Plumb's Veterinary Handbook, 5th Edition, 2005, Donald C. Plumb, Pharm.D.; pp.1204-1205

Ear cleaners differ from ear astringents. Cleaners are supposed to loosen, dissolve, lubricate and adsorb (stick to) debris and foreign material.
Common ingredients often present in "dog ear cleaners"	Common activities claimed for many "dog ear cleaners"
SD-Alcohol 90% isopropyl alcohol Lactic Acid Benzoic Acid Acetic Acid Salicylic Acid Boric acid Citric acid Malic acid Cocamidopropyl betaine Isoteramidopropyl morpholine lactate Dioctyl-Sodium Sulfosuccinate Glycerin Allantoin Nonoxynol 12 Chlorhexadine gluconate Aloe Vera Gel Surfactants Urea (carbamide) peroxide Fragrances Carbamide peroxide Lidocaine Aluminum acetate Oil of Eucalyptus Saline (0.9% sodium chloride)	Cleans Aids prevention of infections Acidifies Deodorizes Dries
CAUTIONS: If the pet frequently shakes it's head or scratches it's ears or if inflammation or irritation is present, discontinue use and consult your veterinarian.

Astringents are used as "drying agents". They disperse moisture (water) and aid in the evaporation of water from the ear canal and ear surfaces.
Common ingredients often present in astringent otic preparations	Common activities claimed for many dog ear astringents
Water Alcohol Deionized water Butylene Glycol Carbomer Chloroxylenol AMP ( ) Perfumes Colorants Colloidal sulfur Acetic acid Hydrocortisone Burrows solution Saline (0.9% sodium chloride)	Dries the tissue surface Deodorizes Sanitizes Relieves itching Prevents infections
CAUTIONS: If inflammation or irritation occurs after use discontinue use and consult your veterinarian. Do not use on inflamed, ulcerated ears. Do not use if a ruptured ear drum is suspected. Avoid contact with eyes or mucus membranes; if contact occurs, flush with water

Depending upon the ingredients, otic preparations are useful as cleaners, antiseptics, astringents, flushes, antibacterial, antifungal, antiyeast, antipruritic, antinflammatory and antiparasitic actions. It s vital to choose the correct product and to use it according to label instructions (some must be diluted before use). Resolving and managing a pet's ear disorder depends upon a correct diagnosis first and secondarily upon treating with the appropriate medication.

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A normal ventral pinna and external ear tissues in a dog. The ear canal descends downward an inch or so and then bends inward toward the skull. The ear drum is located deep at the end of this "L- shaped" ear canal. Any cleaning solution or medication should not be forced or pushed deeply into the ear canal.	A normal ventral pinna and external ear tissues in a dog. Occasional wiping away of oil/wax/debris may be needed using a cotton ball or Q-tip. Ear cleaners should be reserved for cases where the ear tissues and canal are markedly occluded with debris.	Ordinary waxy buildup on a dog's external ear tissues... yeast organisms are causing irritation. Simple gentle wiping away of the waxy material may be all this dog needs. A cotton ball moistened with ordinary alcohol quickly cuts through the way and oil and then evaporates in seconds leaving the ear surfaces clean and dry.	Ear cleaning solution being applied gently downward into the vertical ear canal. Careful massaging will mobilize the debris and push the cleaner and debris upward where it can be wiped away and the ear tissues rinsed with water and dried.

Ear cleaners should be used only when large amounts of free debris has built up on the ear tissues.

Ear tissue overgrowth (hypertrophy)
is a result of long term inflammation
from allergy, infection, or irritants.

Chronic yeast infections are often mistaken for allergic otitis and if not treated properly will create long term problems.

Basic principles of ear health care and ear cleaning in dogs

A cotton ball moistened with rubbing alcohol, which is a true solvent for dissolving wax and oil and an antiseptic, can make an excellent ear cleaning tool. Hydrogen peroxide is useful for clearing away dead cells and pus but won't dissolve oily or waxy debris and shouldn't be applied to newly healing tissues.

Clippers are used to trim away hair and debris from the external ear tissues prior to ear cleaning

The external ear tissues are encrusted with dried wax, oil, dead cells and dried pus. Ear cleaner is applied and gently massaged to loosen waxy debris.	Do not use cloth rags, gauze or other rough-surfaced material to wipe away debris and cleaner. After gentle (GENTLE!) massaging of the ear tissues the cleaner is rinsed away with warm water.	The ear tissues are gently wiped clean and dry with cotton or kleenex. A Q-tip can be used cautiously to wipe in folds or the opening to the deep ear canal.	The external ear tissues are now clean and dry... inflammation is controlled with appropriate medications. Now that the tissues are clean ear cleaner may not be needed again as long as you daily wipe away any new debris or wax.

Do not use alcohol or hydrogen peroxide to clean ear or skin tissues where active healing is occurring. Peroxide and alcohol may damage newly formed skin cells.

Do not use "ear cleaners" in ears that do not need cleaning. Over-use of "ear cleaners" can cause irritation in normal tissues and even trigger a contact sensitivity to ingredients in the cleaning solution. Learn more...

Moisture is our enemy. The reason is that micro-organisms require moisture to thrive and reproduce! (That's why freeze-dried products don't spoil very quickly.) Wetness in the ear canal or on the surface of the external ear tissues permits commonly present organisms to overgrow and create problems.

Many ear cleaning products evaporate very slowly which keeps the skin surfaces moist thereby promoting yeast and bacterial reproduction.

Many ear cleaners, and a few medications, can sensitize the skin surfaces of the ears creating inflammation, itching and even a contact allergy situation. Learn more...

Many dogs have no ill effects from occasional soaking of water on their ear tissues or ear canals from swimming, bathing or being out in the rain. Persistent moisture, however, will eventually promote organism growth.

Ear problems do occur in dogs whose ears (pinnas) have been cropped.

If the dog's diet isn't of high quality, all sorts of minor ear problems will definitely be magnified. Resistance to infection, optimal sebum production by the skin's oil (sebaceous) glands, and strength and vitality of every cell in the body is impacted by a poor diet. Learn more...

Nutritional supplements such as fatty acids and vitamins can assist optimal nutritional intake but are not necessarily required if the main diet is a high quality meat-based diet.

"Plucking the ears"... pulling the hairs out of the ear canal and external ear area is usually not required if the dog has no ear problems. Hair removal may be indicated if an infection is present. Hair in the canals by itself, though, does not cause ear infections.

If an infection occurs hairs in the provide a much greater surface area for organisms to thrive on the trapped oil and wax secretions. Hair, wax, oil and debris in the ear canal will prevent proper drying action of ventilation and may need to be removed to assist in resolving the ear canal infection.

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