Ear Wash

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Ear Wash Helps Keep Those Basset Floppy Ears Smelling Fresh

At 10 weeks of age, Dash’s ears were already plenty gunky. So, out came the ear wash and cotton balls.

Because a basset’s ears hang down, air doesn’t circulate into the ear canal like it would on, say, a german shepherd whose ears are straight up. Consequently, yeast and bacteria can grow in the moist, warm environment of a basset’s ear canal – or mites can move in to take up residence. Any of the previous can cause intense itching and, if not treated, lasting damage. Yeast and bacteria also have the wonderful side effect of being quite smelly when in full bloom inside that large, pendulous ear.

Ear wash, for those who have never had a floppy eared dog before, is a liquid that is squirted sparingly into each of the dog’s ears. A light massage at the base of the ear from you and a shake of the head from him and ear gunk goes flying (it’s best to do this outside).

After Dash shakes his head a few times, I get armed with a cotton ball for a quick swipe of the inside ear canal. I use a little warm water and a cloth to clean the debris from the bottom of his ears.

Done on a weekly basis, using ear wash will make both you and your basset friend much happier.

Here’s a good video from Drs Foster & Smith about the correct way to clean any dog’s ears:

Ear Wash On Amazon.com

You can check pricing on ear wash at pet stores such as PetSmart but you won’t be able to beat the lower prices (and better selection) at Amazon.com.

Below are some of the highly rated ear washes; we use the first on on the left below, The Virbac Advanced Ear Cleaner. It works the best of any we’ve found.

 Virbac Epi-Otic Advanced Ear Cleaner, 8 oz Vet’s Best Pet Ear Relief Wash, 4-Ounce Zymox Ear Cleanser With Bio-Active Enzymes, 4 oz. EcoEars Dog Ear Cleaner. Infection Formula. 8 oz. Itch, head shaking & smell gone in 2-3 Days. Natural 1-Step Ear Cleaner for Dogs with Mites, Fungus, Yeast & Bacteria. 100% Guaranteed. Pet King Brand Zymox Otic Enzymatic Solution for Pet Ears, 1.25 Ounces Dog Ear Cleaner – Made in USA – Never Stings, Burns or Irritates – Eliminate Ear Wax, Odor, Dirt & Debris – All Natural – Non Medicated – Cruelty-free – Alcohol Free