Otitis
Externa -- smelly, itchy, dirty ears -- is the third
most common reason we take our dogs to see the
veterinarian. Pet owners generally do not include ear
cleaning as part of their daily or weekly grooming
routine, but veterinarians are finding that at-home
general cleaning can help eliminate the problem of
otisis externa.
Spring
and summer can be particularly hard on the pets' ears.
Walks, swimming and increased outdoor activity expose
our dogs and puppies to more pollutants and irritants.
The ear naturally produces more wax for protection ,
giving more surface for dirt to accumulate. A vicious
cycle for sure. Cats and kittens can also suffer from
the same "dirty ear" problems.
As the ears
become dirtier, both wax and dirt can become lodged or
accumulate in the ear canal. Dogs will commonly shake
their heads and/or paw and scratch their ears. The
pawing may lead to scratches and infections. This can be
especially true for cats and kittens.
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