I've just been checking my 17 month lab and noticed her ear was really dirty, when I cleaned it out there was blood in there. Any suggestions? I'm going to get her to the vets tomorrow but wondered what I should do in the meantime.

Thanks
lecy

Are you sure it's blood? Dog ear wax is reddish brown, and can look a bit like dried blood. Ear mites can be the cause of over production of ear wax, there are alot of ear cleaners on the market, but your vet will be able to advise best, if it is mites.

Dawn R.

It was definitely blood, it was fresh blood, she must have an open wound inside her ear

Hi, you should give Thornit a go- its fantastic at keeping ears clean and gets rid of ear mites. You put it round the ear ever day and then wipe away the wax with damp cotton wool. It helps keep the ears dry inside aswell. I use my favourite supplier ***** its £6.95 plus p&p and lasts ages. Wiz x

Hi,

Earmites do feed on inner ears. This could be what is causing the blood, perhaps that, along with her scratching, has caused fresh blood. In the past I've also had this problem.

The vet will be the best one to advise you. I manage my dogs ears myself now, my breed have large flappy, very hairy ears and I usually clean them once a week with a saline solution and Thornit, if necessary.

Please let me know how your vet responded on this one.  My g. retriever had this a few months ago and was prescribed Canaural.  Vet said the ear wasn't infected, just inflamed, so no antibotics necessary.  I try to keep her ears clean (and have now ordered some Thornit - thanks Wiz).  It goes away but came back in the other ear.  I still had some drops so used that and it's cleared up again).  Same as you said though, reddish, blood tinged wax.  Horrible!  Good luck.