Ear Infections

Normal ears are pink and clean, with a neutral smell. Ear problems could manifest in the following ways: scratching and shaking the head, a bad odor in one or both ears, colored discharges ranging from black and waxy to green or yellow, inflamed and swollen ear flaps, tilting of the head, and hearing loss. Dogs that are active outdoors are likely to pick up foreign objects such as dirt and stickers. Dogs that have hair in their ears may trap excess moisture in the ear canal. Ear care requires weekly checking of the ear for dirt and debris. Remove some of the hair from the ear canal in order for the ear to breathe and get proper air circulation. Always leave some hair in the ear canal to provide protection from bacteria and other foreign matter.