jkoch

By Dr. John Koch

Question: My dog seems to always have a lot of ear wax. It doesn't seem to bother him, but I am afraid it will lead to infection. What is the proper way to clean his ears?

Answer: Ideas about the best technique for cleaning ears changes from time to time. At present, recommendations are that a good cleanser with a drying agent be used. The ear canal is filled with this solution and gently massaged. Massaging the canal causes the solution to slosh around and break up the wax. Once this action has been completed, stand back and allow the pet to shake its ears. Solution and wax will fly in all directions. (It might be best to do this outdoors.) Finish the cleaning process by using an absorbent paper towel to wipe the external ear flap.

Cotton Q-tips or any other material is kept away from the canal. Nothing is inserted into the canal that might push wax remnants down into the inner recesses of the ear. If after several cleaning sessions, the amount of wax is not subsiding, then your pet may have one of several problems and should be examined by a veterinarian.

Your veterinarian may use any of several techniques for flushing the ear canal to clean it more thoroughly than what could be accomplished at home. It is also possible that allergy, infection, ear mites or some combination thereof may need to be treated. In 70 percent of all ear infections, the animal is predisposed to them due to allergies. Allergies are the No. 1 reason ear problems are so difficult to eliminate.

Plucking excess hair from healthy ear canals is now also discouraged. It is felt that plucking hair from healthy ears only irritates the canal lining, making it more susceptible to infection. However, if the hair is causing a buildup of wax, then plucking may be necessary.

Because ear problems are so difficult, early treatment is important. Once chronic problems result in fibrosis (scarring) of the ear canal, you are pretty much sunk. Surgical removal of the ear canal (ablation) is usually the only solution. Surgical ablation of the ear canal is a difficult procedure that frequently has complications.

Dr. Koch is a Cape Girardeau-area veterinarian.