Ears?

[Biscuit]

Ok the person I've been getting help from the most so far is my mother who hasn't done a lot of reading about dogs but has only asked her vet about her dog which is a poodle. I know that poodles are prone to get ear infections and cleaning their ears is a way to help prevent ear infections. My question is do I need to be cleaning my Dachshunds ears too and are Dachshunds prone to ear infections too?

[Cassiepeia]

All dogs need their ears cleaned on a regular basis, so yes.
Dogs with 'dropped' or 'floppy' ears are more prone to infection than dogs with erect ears. I'm not sure if Dachshunds are more prone, as a breed than others though.

Cass.

[Barrett]

You don't have to clean them out every day but just keep an eye on them.. Stick your nose in there and sniff a bit and if you smell anything stinky you should clean them out. I use little wipes that I buy at Petsmart and I wipe my dachshunds ears out when I notice they are getting waxy.

[linnie]

barrett love sticking her nose in her dogs ears.. I am sure I have read other posts regarding this lol. She's dotty about her furkids

[Crossfire Bulldogs]

Any dog, no matter what breed should have their ears cleaned on occasion and Barrett has an excellent way of doing it. I can often be found smelling ears myself! lol

[Jamilupine]

Hee Hee! really gald to hear I'm not the only one sitcking my nose in my dog's ears!

Our vet also reccomended folding her ears back when she's sleeping so that air can get in there and help reduce the chances for infection. I used to "fix" her ears when they got folded back on walks, but now I think it's probably pretty good for them to get some fresh air!

[Kade]

Yes, we've been sniffing Winston's stanky ears lately, too.

Here's what the vet told me this morning:

Get a piece of clean, sterile cotton (like cotton balls, but in strips -- not cloth) and soak it in ear cleaner or peroxide (make sure it's safe peroxide, I know nothing about the various types).

Tuck the wet cotton inside the ear (carefully, of course!) and work it around by manipulating the ear from the outside.

If necessary, carefully wrap your finger in a thin layer of sterile cotton and reach it into your dog's ear to wipe very gently anything that might remain.

Finish off by drying with a fresh, dry piece of cotton.

** Please do not try this if you are not confident that you will be extraordinarily careful with your dog. I'm only relating it as it was told to me, so I don't want to be responsible for any hurt doggy ears!

[PitBullGrrl]

Why do dogs with droopy ears get them more frequently? My dog never had an ear infection, but his ears drooped at times.

[princessjodi]

Originally Posted by PitBullGrrl

Why do dogs with droopy ears get them more frequently? My dog never had an ear infection, but his ears drooped at times.

The droopyness prevents air, oxygen, from getting in the ear. This can create a warm, moist environment and everyone knows what happens in a warm, moist environment!

I am sure there is a more complicated, technical explanation, but this is my simple take on it.

I don't personally clean out Joules's ears...I have them do it when I have her bathed. Although, I smelled them the other night to make sure nothing 'smelled' wrong. I was always told to be SUPER careful as you could push some of that stuff back into the ear and it could create an infection. I don't remember who told me that (mom or vet), so I just have the groomers do it.