Hi - wonder if you can help me. One of my toy poodles is a very tiny, slight boy who has a real problem with muck in his ears. Last year he had to be sedated to have his ears cleaned out properly and even then, the vet said that his ear canals are so tiny that they couldnt get right down to clean them.

I use ear wash and canural regularly - but it seems that his ears are constantly filled with hard lumps of brown/black disgusting lumps. The poor mite probably has trouble hearing me they are so full. When I pull the lumps out, underneath is completely full of a more moist gunk.

I have no idea how to clean these out to help him. Any tips really apprecaited.

Jane

Hi Jane,

Can your vet not recommend any ear drops which may soften the wax?  What about trying Otedex Veterinary eardrops from pet shops, they used to work for our German Shepherd.

We used to have toy poodles and my mum still has one that is also very small (even for a toy) .   She had to have all her teeth out before Christmas but she copes really well and can even eat dry food.  They are very clever little dogs aren't they and my mums is very playful even at the age of 10 1/2 years old.

I used to use warmed but NOT hot! Almond Oil.

I tend to use either, an over the counter ear cleaner, or baby oil. I fill the ear cavity, with whichever, so its full to the top. Give it a thorough, but gentle massage at the base of the ear for a couiple of minutes, then with some cotton wool clean out as much as you can reach into without causing distress. Let the dog then have a shake and clean out the remains that may come to the surface. You could also carefully use a cotton bud, Johnsons are best, they have more padding on than other makes, around the top part of the ear without probing too deeply, after using the cotton wool. Hold the dog firmly though whilst you do this, as it most likely will tickle. The brownish gunge is only wax, it doesn't mean its infected. Some dogs are more prone to producing excess wax than others, you may be unlucky there. Also remember to keep all the hair plucked out of the ear canal. this makes things much better for the dog and also much easier to clean. You may find you have to give a thorough clean every week to keep on top of the problem. Good luck
Anne

Thanks for the tips - how ofetn do you think I should be doing this? I have been cleaning them weekly but it obviously isnt enough.

Sorry for the delay in replying.
I would tend to do them every day for a wek or so. That way you are really keeping an eye on things. Remember, always get out of the ear what you put in. So many people tend to put drops etc. in but never think to clean it all out as well :(  Just make sure when you do put in drops, to massage the base of the ear well for a couple of minutes to get the liquid deep in to the ear. Let the dog have a shake, after this time, and then just remove the surplus from the entrance of the ear, with some cottonwool. Job done :D Same when you are using ear cleanser, do the same thing. And don't be stingy with the cleanser. It doesn't hurt to fill the ear right up with it. Just remember. Remove it as well!
Also, have you got ALL the hair out. that is important. Just pluck it out a little at a time with your thumb and 1st finger. You can buy special powder which helps to grip or you could try ordinary talc. powder. sprinkle a pinch round the top of the ear first, and rub gently into the hair, it will help to dry the hair and give you a better purchase on it. She/he won't like you doing it at first but trust me, they do get used to it. Just do little each day until you've built up confidence and she/he has got used to it. The more you do it the sooner they learn :)
Anne

Don't use cotton wool buds though as you may just be pushing further in whatever's there.  A little bit of wax should do a dog not harm as wax in a natural antibiotic!  I know how it feels as one of my dogs has problems with his ears and it drives him and me crazy sometimes.

Slightly warm Olive oil is what we use to help soften wax etc. so you could try that :d

When I said use cotton buds, I did say 'only round the top part of the ear, without probing to deep' they are perfectly fine, and ver useful for get into the little creases in small dogs ears. I wouldn't expect them to be pushed into the ear and therefore pushing the debris further down. I have used them for years on my own dogs and in my salon. You just have to use them sensibly ;)

I think you pointed out where I may have been going wrong  Ann - I am not sure I was getting everything out that I was putting in, and obviously not regularly enough. So will battle on with every day for the time being. Wouldnt be so bad if it was one of my others but this little monkey hates being groomed in any way !!!
Thanks again

You're very welcome Jane, and Good Luck, it will be worth it in the end to see those lovely clean little ears :D
Anne