Excess Hair in Ear Canals
Certain dog breeds have a lot of extra hair in their ear canals that can lead to chronic ear infections. Predisposed breeds are Poodles, Labradoodle/Goldendoodles, Lhasa Apsos, Cocker Spaniels, Shih Tzus, and Bichons.
The excess hair in their ear trap moisture and humidity in the canal which creates the perfect environment for bacteria and fungus to grow, causing ear infections. To prevent infections, we recommend having this hair clipped out of the canals to keep them clean and aired out. This can either be done at home, certain grooming facilities, or at our office.
In severe ear infection cases, sedation may be required to comfortably and properly remove the hair and flush the ears. If infection is in the inner ear canal, tranquilization is needed for a deep ear flush to safely remove the infection due to the L shape of the ear.
Once the hair is removed and the ears are flushed and cleaned, we will apply the proper medication to treat the infection. This may be antibacterial, antifungal, or a combination of the two. In severe cases, oral antibiotics or anti-inflammatories may also be added to help treat the infection systemically.
The excess hair in their ear trap moisture and humidity in the canal which creates the perfect environment for bacteria and fungus to grow, causing ear infections. To prevent infections, we recommend having this hair clipped out of the canals to keep them clean and aired out. This can either be done at home, certain grooming facilities, or at our office.
In severe ear infection cases, sedation may be required to comfortably and properly remove the hair and flush the ears. If infection is in the inner ear canal, tranquilization is needed for a deep ear flush to safely remove the infection due to the L shape of the ear.
Once the hair is removed and the ears are flushed and cleaned, we will apply the proper medication to treat the infection. This may be antibacterial, antifungal, or a combination of the two. In severe cases, oral antibiotics or anti-inflammatories may also be added to help treat the infection systemically.
