Caring for your dogs' ears

From a teacup-size Chihuahua to a great Dane, there is an incredible amount of variety among dog breeds. And there is also a variety of different ear shapes and sizes in the canine world. There are large upright ears, floppy ears that hang down, sharp pointed ears and semi-erect ears with a front flap that folds forward, to name a few. They perk up when interested, they droop when sad; they go back when the dog is threatened.

Of course, they're also remarkable hearing devices. Dogs have a very acute sense of hearing. While their sense of smell ranks first, their hearing is not too far behind. Studies have shown that dogs are capable of perceiving frequencies above those picked up by a normal human and can distinguish sounds better. Dogs can hear sounds on frequencies that humans cannot even begin to detect.

Your dog's ears are deep, dark, moist and twisty. They're perfect breeding grounds for parasites, bacteria and yeast. Many breeds, such as poodles, grow hair in their ears, trapping debris.

Your dog's ears require a pet parent's attention and care to prevent simple problems and to catch more severe ones. Making sure your furry friend's ears are in good health is a relatively simple part of canine care.

The canine ear canal is not short and linear like a human's, but instead forms a long, distinct "L" shape. The curving of your dog's ear canal makes it difficult for debris that gets into the ear to work its way back out. And the debris left in your dog's ear provides a nice environment for bacteria and yeast, an easy way for Rover to end up with an ear infection.

Dogs with floppy ears like cocker spaniels, basset hounds and poodles are more prone to get infections because their ears hang down and restrict airflow, which can cause the ear canal to retain moisture.

Routine ear cleaning helps prevent the accumulation of yeast, and is a crucial part of preventive care.

So, one of the most important reasons to clean your furry friend's ears is to prevent ear infections. These can be painful and even cause deafness if left untreated. Dogs can also experience temporary partial to full deafness as a result of wax buildup in their ear canals, and routine ear cleaning will also prevent excess earwax accumulation

Your veterinarian can help you choose the best ear cleaner for your dog. Your vet can also show you how to clean Rover's ears properly. It's a simple technique that doesn't take long to perform. You start by placing a few drops of ear cleaner in your dog's ears, then gently massaging the base of his ears for 30 seconds.

However, even with routine ear cleaning, numerous things can work their way deep into your dog's ears and cause problems, including ear mites, cheat grass, tiny seeds and grass bits he collects as he romps around in the yard. And Rover won't be shy about letting you know that his ears are bothering him. You may notice him scratching and shaking his head in an attempt to alleviate the discomfort.

Ear mites are often found in puppies and young adult dogs. The mites are tiny little bugs that live in the ear canal, and they bite through the skin to feed. The insides of his ears will appear red, crusted and scabbed. You may notice earwax that looks like coffee grounds (dried blood), and there may be an odor as well.

So if your dog appears to be in discomfort and is scratching and shaking his head, it's time for a vet visit.

Getting into the habit of regularly assessing your dog's ears will help you pick up any problems early on and get treatment if needed as soon as possible.

Ears are one of the biggest areas for vet visits in adult, otherwise-healthy animals, so routine checking and healthcare can help reduce the risks of your pet being one of these.