Prevention of Summer Ear Infections

Most dogs just love being scratched behind the ears. But -- short or long, soft or bristly - bacteria, mites and wax could be lurking inside those ears, resulting in painful ear infections.   Left untreated, ear infections could lead to deafness. So maintaining healthy ears should be part of every pet's grooming routine.  "Bacteria thrive in moist, warm places such as the ear canal," explains Val Penstone, Director of Grooming for Best Friends Pet Resorts and Salons. "Professional groomers will routinely examine a pet's ears for odor, tenderness, inflammation and appearance. Part of the grooming process may include swabbing the ears with an ear cleaning product made specifically for that purpose. If there is excessive dirt or discharge that may require more attention, or even warrant a visit to the veterinarian, the dog groomer will inform the pet owner."

Detecting ear problems
Most dogs will let you know when an ear problem is developing. If your pet is suddenly not responding to audible cues, trouble may be brewing inside his ears. He may be scratching at his ears or rubbing them on the floor. Since the ears contain a dog's balance control center, the dog may frequently shake or tilt her head, or may even appear dizzy.  An unhealthy ear will often have an unpleasant odor as well. You should know the normal, healthy scent of your pet's ears. A reddish-brown, waxy discharge may indicate a problem. Ear mites, a crab-like parasite that feeds on wax, will cause intense itching and a brown crusty discharge. If you suspect your pet may be suffering from these nasty creatures, see your vet immediately.

To pluck or not to pluck
Breeds such as hounds with big, floppy ears are especially prone to problems because air can't circulate properly. Other breeds actually grow hair inside the ear canal. Keeping the hair short on and around the ear allows more air to reach the ear canal and keeps the internal ear drier, says Penstone.   Veterinary opinions differ on whether the hair inside the ear should be plucked. "Certainly making sure that the air is not blocked by excessive hair growth may promote better ear hygiene," says Penstone, "but some modern thinking is that plucking of ear hair by the roots can trigger irritation and scratching, and actually creates an entry point for bacteria." The best course is to gently remove overgrowth, but refrain from extensive pulling and plucking.

An ounce of prevention
Hearing is one of the most highly-developed senses in dogs: they can hear sounds at frequencies up to three times higher than humans. Taking care of those sensitive ears means including ear cleaning as part of a pet's regular grooming routine, Penstone recommends. Your Best Friends professional groomer can help you decide which products are best for your pet - so you can be sure your pet is hearing all the praise you give him.

Call today to schedule your pets bath and our haircut at any of our fabulous locations.  While your there be sure to check out all other fun things Best Friends has to offer.  From Training classes to a cool new dog park and even doggie camp, we have everything your pet needs to be happy!  (Besides you of course!)