ear cleaning

[debi]

Well, I know this is not a disease, but does anyone have a suggestion for cleaning ears? We have "elf ears" and I have a little guy that constantly gets wax build up and when he was shaking his head, it sounded like liquid in his ear. Has anyone ever experienced this? If so, please share what you have used to clear it up. Thanks!

 

[elevan]

Liquid sounding ears are most likely an infection or the start of one.

Get yourself some Otic solution (dog ear cleaner) and a cotton ball and do the cleaning. Just wet the cotton ball with the Otic and clean out the ear.

Also give a round of Penicillin for the infection. 1 ml / 15# 2x daily for 7 days.

 

[redtailgal]

I take a different approach to ears. I had a doberman once who had some VERY sensitive ears, would get a horrid wax build up and ear mites if you looked at her wrong.

I take Mullein (google for a pic of it if you want) and grind it up and put it in some oil. Dont use the plants growing right next to the road, try to find them at least 6 feet from the road. Most herb stores carry it, though it may be in capsule form. I'd use three capsules in my "recipe"

Anyway, enough leaf to cover the palm of an average size hand, let it dry, then put it in a freezer bag and roll it good with a rolling pin. You dont want it real fine, just a coarse grind.

Then, take your powder and place it in a small baby food jar, cover it with olive oil or a non heated castor oil if you can find it (it's sometimes called "The Healing Hand of Christ").

Set the jar on a sunny window sill for about 24 hours, shaking it pretty good a couple times.

Then just dip a cotton ball in it and use this to clean the ears. The herb in there will help prevent fungus, as well as mites, and is soothing to the irritation. Th oil will ubricate damaged skin, encouraging faster healing, as well as providing some mild disinfecting, and prevention of mites. It also will soften the wax. For an active mite infestation, I use this twice a day for a week or so. For prevention, I just swab ears on the dogs and cats about once a month or when they get a bath.

I also use this on small sores (on me and the critters), and in cracked hooves for the goats, horses and cattle.

Please note that this does not negate the need for antibiotics in an active infection. You will still need to use antibiotics.

Otic solution is a very good product........and I am not dissing it at all. We just have alot of ears, hooves and skin around here.........and plenty of mullein.