what can i use to clean my basset hounds ears?

Answer 1

My vet once told me the best thing to use was just plain warm water on a Q-tip and be sure you don't push it too far down into the ear - only clean what you can see. He said using baby oil was not a good idea because the residue will attract dirt. Using a bit of alcohol would be ok except that if the dog has even the tiniest scratch or red spot, the alcohol will send him through the roof. Anyway, I've always used just warm water and never had a problem.

Answer 2

Here's the low down on ear cleaning.

For regular maintenance cleaning (no infection or irritation):
Use regular rubbing alcohol soaked cotton ball, squeeze the alcohol into the ear, squish around to break up any debris and ear wax, let dog shake head, wipe out with clean cotton ball. Repeat until ear is clean. You can use cotton swabs on the OUTSIDE of the ear where all the folds are, but do not push it down inside the ear canal as it can push the debris and wax down creating a plug.

Things NOT to use.
Hydrogen peroxide: H2O2. When the oxygen bubbles off, water is left in the ear. Especially with dogs that have floppy ears, this can leave the ears moist and warm, perfect for yeast and bacteria. While it is great for killing bacteria on contact, in the long run, it is a bad idea. If you use it, also rinse with alcohol to dry the ears out. Moisture in the ears is bad.
Water: Same rule as peroxide. Water in the ears is bad. Whenever the dog is bathed, goes swimming, or gets water in the ears for any reason, they should be swabbed out with alcohol to dry them.
Anything that can trap bacteria or yeast.

For ears that are infected, really irritated, ear mites, etc:
You will need to go to your vet to have the ears evaluated. Treatment with any medication without a diagnosis can make the problem worse. Also, some infections can cause the ear drum to rupture and some cleaners and medications should NOT be used in this circumstance.

So, if your dog just has some wax or dirt in the ears, or you just want to keep up with cleaning them, use alcohol. If the ears are infected or irritated for any reason, it can burn (OUCH!) and the dog would need medication anyway so get to the vet for an exam.

Answer 3

Use a "pipe-cleaner", cotton swab or a Recorder(instrument) cleaner.
Because it's a basset hound, you do not want to apply too much pressure on the ear because they can be damaged.

Answer 4

Take some peroxide and put it on a cotton swab and rub it in his ear. You dog might actually like it cause it feels good. RUb it around. Make sure not to go to deep and keep doing it until the cotton swab comes out clean!!

Answer 5

I use cotton swabs and a bit of peroxide on my golden retrievers ears. She doesn't mind at all, and seems to enjoy the extra attention she gets from being groomed.

Answer 6

Which Hazel and a cotton ball. Clean them ever week for fresh smelling ears!

Answer 7

You can also buy ear wash from the vet. Just be VERY SURE to dry their ears out well after they have been cleaned. That moisture is what causes problems.

Answer 8

My wife and I prefer cotton balls loaded with mineral oil. For the really tough crud, use very warm water and an old wash rag. Then massage your baby's ears to let him/her know you care. B.

Answer 9

dried slobber? You mean dried white flakes? Did you rinse properly? I just used normal mild dog shampoo to lather the flaps and rinse off completely. And use dog ear cleaner to clean out the wax. It helps to keep the cocker spaniel's ears clean.

Answer 10

Cotton swabs?