Ear Care For The Bichon Breeds - Pt. 2

The previous article, Ear Health and Care for the Bichon Breeds,  Part 1, explained the susceptibility of our Bichon breeds to ear canal irritations and infections,  the basic types of ear canal issues,  the importance of regular ear exams at home, and the signs of healthy ear canals, as well as those exhibiting infections and irritations.

This second article on Ear Health and Care for the Bichon Breeds will cover more specifics about ear canal irritations and infections, as well as what actions we can take to help prevent these disease states from ever developing.

Infections of the external ear (otitus externa) or of the middle ear, (otitus media) are most frequently caused by the growth of bacteria or yeast. Bacteria and yeast thrive in such warm, moist, dark environments.   The accumulation of wax, hair, dirt, and other foreign matter in the ear canal, besides being problems in and of themselves, are high risk factors. These elements trap moisture and further prevent any circulation of air. Because of this, the accumulation of wax, hair, dirt, and other matter contribute to the both the beginning and the continuation of these bacterial and yeast infections in the ear canal.

Veterinary intervention is needed to correctly diagnose and prescribe the needed treatment for such infections.  Antibiotics are often used for bacterial infections, while antifungals are ususally the choice for addressing yeast issues.

When yeast or bacterial infections are present, a dog will often shake its head, scratch or paw its ear, and may tilt the head to one side.  This type of infection frequently produces a pungent odor. As the situation worsens, the ear canal will become inflamed and often produce a pussy discharge.

It should be noted that ear infections can also be symptoms of possible allergies or hormonal imbalances.  Again, a  veterinarian can determine if this is the case and prescribe the appropriate interventions.

Ear mites are common parasites that are highly contagious, easily spreading from pet to pet. Because parasites depend upon a living "carrier," if one pet in a home has been diagnosed with ear mites, any other pets in the home also need to be examined for similar infestations and treated, by a veterinarian, as necessary.

Excessive itching is the most common sign of ear mites. Ear mites create dark, crumbly debris, resembling coffee grounds.

Proper ear care can usually prevent recurring infections. This involves keeping the ear canals clean and dry.  A first step is removal of excess hair in the canal.  Hair in the ear canal tends to trap dirt and water. Hair removal should be done as gently as possible, handling only a very few hairs at a time.

Twisting a hair clusters around a tool and yanking can cause irritation! Please avoid such abrupt, massive actions, as they can do more harm than good. 

A few hairs at a time can be comfortably removed using the thumb and forefinger to grasp the hairs at their bases, next to the skin, and carefully pulling.

After removing excess hair, the ear canals may be flushed with a commercial cleanser designed specifically for canine ears.  Ask your veterinarian's advice!!! After flushing, gently massage the base of the ears, next to the doggie's head, to distribute the solution within the folds inside the canal. A good ear cleaning solution will be designed not only to clean the ear canal, but also to liquify the wax,  dry the moisture from the canal, and normalize the pH (acidity-alkaline factor) in the canal.

During warm weather your furry friend is likely to have more opportunities to be in water, whether for fun or for bathing. As preventative maintenance,  a veterinarian-approved solution to treat the ears after water exposure can be useful.

Please, avoid alcohol as it can cause tremendous burning and further irritation! Also, Q-tips are "out" for ear canal care!

Regular ear exams and periodic maintenance to keep the canals clean and dry can prevent untold ear discomfort!