How to Clean Infected Ears on a Cocker Spaniel

If you own a cocker spaniel you have probably dealt with ear infections. Those long droopy ears that give many dogs the individuality their owner loves, also make them susceptible to chronic ear infections. The longer the ears on a dog, the harder it is for them to clear water, dirt and parasites from them. Many cocker spaniel owners are prescribed medications that need to be applied at least once per day to the ear canal. This must be done to prevent chronic ear infections and possible hearing loss in the dog. Ear cleaning should be an easy process, and needs to be done on a regular basis even if the dog is on ear medications.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Dog ear cleaner
• Ear drying powder
• Cotton balls and swabs
• Ear medication (if applicable)

1. Gather all of the supplies before you start. This way you will not have to leave the dog during the ear cleaning process.
2. Sit on the floor with the pet or place the dog on a smooth table for the ear cleaning process. If using a table, make sure it is large enough to support the weight of the dog when the dog shakes vigorously.
3. Lift one of the ears and place it over the dog's head to be held by your other hand. This will expose the ear canal and usually cause a good head shake. Make sure you have complete control of the dog, and remain in control throughout the process.
4. Place several drops of ear cleaner in the cocker spaniel's ear and drop the ear back to its proper position. When the drops go in the ear, there will be vigorous head shaking. By immediately dropping the ear back into place, the cleaner will stay in the ear and do its job.
5. Rub the treated ear vigorously from underneath; the dog will most likely lay its head in your hand for this. Rub hard to break up any dirt down in the ear canal.
6. Flip the ear back up over the cocker spaniel's head and wipe out the treated ear with cotton balls or paper towels. If you are comfortable using a cotton swab to clean deeper in the ear canal, do so. If not, continue to wipe the ear out with cotton balls or paper towels until the ear cleaner is completely removed.
7. Apply ear drying powder to the outer ear area to help keep it dry. Do not fill the ear canal, the medicine needs to be able to get into the inner ear to take effect.
8. Apply any prescription medications after the ear has been completely cleaned. Read the instructions carefully, do not over medicate the pet.
9. Repeat the process on the cocker spaniel's other ear.

Tips & Warnings

• The dog will shake its head vigorously, this is normal, try to keep it from rubbing or shaking out the medicine.
• If the cocker spaniel will not leave his ears alone and scabbing occurs, talk to a veterinarian about an Elizabethan collar.
• Never place cotton swabs or any object deeply into a dog's ear canal, only go until there is slight resistance.
• Do not let children or other animals around any area treated with medication.
• Contact a veterinarian immediately if the cocker spaniel shows any signs of distress after medication is administered. Signs of stress include: breathing excessively heavy for more than a few minutes, excessive salivating, vomiting, diarrhea.