Hearing is one of the main and most important senses of your Australian Shepherd. The auditory organs of animals and humans are the ears, but their structure is slightly different. Therefore, the animal‘s ears should be cared for properly so as not to harm the pet. Proper attention needs to be paid to ear care as it is one of the puppy‘s most sensitive organs. At least once an ear infection occurs, it can recur continuously in the future, giving discomfort to both the animal and the owner caring for it.
Ear Structure of Dog
Regardless of the breed of dog, their ear structure is similar. The auditory organ consists of the outer ear, or auricle, which depending on the variety, takes on a different shape and the middle and inner ears. Looking at the ear, we will see an opening – this is the external output of the ear canal. It is the channel that leads to the inner parts of the ear located in the skull. The shape of the animal‘s ear canal resembles the letter L, at first it goes almost vertically, then turns and goes further into the skull.
How Often Should You Be Cleaning Your Australian Shepherd‘s Ears?
If your Australian Shepherd has healthy ears, then it is sufficient to clean prophylactically once a month. Of course, you should look more often in the ear to notice any changes. It is normal for the ears to be cleaned weekly, monthly, or even less frequently. It is wrong if dirt accumulates in them within few days. In such case, you must consult a veterinarian and look for the problem.
How To Clean Your Australian Shepherd‘s Ears
Choose a quiet room where your Aussie can be isolated and, if possible, ask someone to help you. you will need ear cleaning fluid, cotton swabs and a flashlight. Avoid solutions containing alcohol or hydrogen peroxide.
Hold your dog‘s ears down with one hand and inject approximately 1 teaspoon (for small dogs) or 1 tablespoon (for large dogs) of fluid into the ear canal (follow the instructions on the ear cleaning fluid package). Then massage the base of the ear for a few seconds to dissolve the fluid and release the sulfur in the ears. If there is too much liquid – remove it. And repeat this process with the other ear.
Remove earwax from the ear flap using a cotton swab to vertically pull and clean wrinkles. Use a flashlight to see that you have missed nothing. Make sure the canal is dry and then repeat the same process with the other ear. Clean in a vertical direction, lightly, do not press on either the cotton swab or your finger, to avoid injuring the eardrum.
After the ear cleaning procedure, the dog can shook his head more intensely. This is normal, as the ears have been irritated by various foreign bodies, and the animal wants to shake off the shaken dirt. Also, ask your veterinarian or dog care professional to show you for the first time which hair should be removed from the ears and always leave the hair in the corner of the ear canal as there are many nerve endings in this area.
When and How Should a Dog‘s Ear Hair Be Plucked?
You should not touch your dog ears unnecessarily, but there are cases where they need to be plucked from time to time. If you take your Australian Shepherd to a hairdresser, he or she should usually arrange the hair in the dog‘s ear cavity as well. However, there are cases where due to carelessness the work is not completed, so the owners should learn to perform this procedure themselves.
The procedure is quite simple: the ear canal should be sprinkled with a special powder to reduce ear irritation during plucking and remove unnecessary hair with your fingers. If a dog has had his ear hairs plucked from an early age, he will not be afraid of this procedure. The most unpleasant thing to the animal is usually the sound of plucking. The powder for plucking also prevents the hair from slipping between the fingers and makes this job easier for the person doing it.
When to See Your Veterinarian
If you notice that your dog is whining for several days in a row, not allowing you to touch his ears, constantly shaking or rubbing his head – you must visit veterinarian. These symptoms indicate that the animal may have ear infection. If you notice similar signs of behavior a few days after the ear cleaning procedure, you should also come to the veterinary clinic to have the specialists check your Australian Shepherd. They will check if you have not damaged the lining of the ear.
Also, if you notice that the ears are red, there are unclear spots, visible discharge, the animal is nervous when you try to look and touch the ear – you should visit a veterinarian immediately. In addition, it is best not to clean the animal‘s ears then, as changes in appearance and smell may make it easier for the doctor to make a diagnosis. These symptoms can indicate serious ear diseases that are particularly painful and cause a lot of suffering to the animal. In such cases, after examining the animal, the doctor will decide what actions need to be taken to allow the pet to recover quickly and comfortably. Under no circumstances should you try to treat it yourself, as this can only harm the animal.
Advice
Ear hygiene should be taught as soon as possible, preferably from a small puppy. In this way, your Australian Shepherd will get used to this process and will suffer better in the future with ear cleaning and, if necessary, ear treatment. When he accepts the treatment well, it is worth rewarding him with a delicacy or a toy.
To clean the ears of dogs, use special products for this purpose. It is not recommended to wash the ears with water, especially hydrogen peroxide or ear hygiene products intended for humans. It should be remembered that the pH of an animal‘s skin is different and the bacterial flora is different, so such products intended for humans can harm the animal.
The veterinarian will help you choose the right product, depending on whether the animal has healthy ears or is diagnosed with a disease. In this situation, your veterinarian will provide specific instructions on how to use hygiene products and medications for damaged ears.
Summary
Regular, once a week, ear inspections and cleaning allow your pet to avoid many discomforts. These discomforts are mainly related to the most common diseases and infections which are extremely unpleasant and lead to long-term treatment. So, remember to frequently inspect your Aussie‘s ears and keep them as clean as you can. If you are unable to clean your Australian Shepherd‘s ears yourself, consult a veterinarian or animal beauty salon.