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Shih Tzu Care- Keep His Ears Clean
Shih Tzu care is a challenging yet enjoyable task. Isn't it amazing to think of you and your dog, spending time together in doing things like bathing and cleaning the ears, eyes and other parts of the body? Your dog's ears are as important as other parts of his body and must be cleaned to prevent ear mites and allergies.
Shih Tzu care is a challenging yet enjoyable task. Isn’t it amazing to think of you and your dog, spending time together in doing things like bathing and cleaning the ears, eyes and other parts of the body? Your dog’s ears are as important as other parts of his body and must be cleaned to prevent ear mites and allergies.
Cleaning your Shih Tzu’s ears will be easier with the help of cleaning aids such as cotton balls, cotton swab, damp wash cloth or ear cleaning solution. Ear cleaning solution is available at pet supply stores near you or you can get one from your veterinarian. In the absence of ear cleaning solution, water mixed with hydrogen peroxide can be used too.
Remove the dirt in the outer area first using a cotton ball dampened with a cleaning solution. Then clean the inner ear. Fill the ear canal with cleaning solution then massage for about 20 seconds to help loosen dirt and ear wax. With the use of cotton balls, wipe the dirt and excess fluid but be careful not to push down the cotton balls inside the ear.
Proper cleaning of your dog’s ear may prevent the following:
Otitis Media
When the infection of the external ear canal extends into the middle ear, Otitis Media or infection of the middle ear occurs. Reasons that your dog will endure from this disease is because of foreign bodies, debris and ulceration. Bacteria reach the middle ear when the eardrum ruptures therefore careful cleaning of the ear is necessary. Odor, discharge, ear scratching, head shaking and head tilt are signs of Otitis Media.
Otitis Externa
An inflammation of the ear canal is called Otitis Externa or outer ear infection. The inflammation travels from the outside opening of the ear moving inward to the eardrum. Causes of Otitis Externa are bacteria, fungi, ear mites, accumulation of wax, thick or matted hair in the canal, debris, impaired drainage of the ear and infections from other parts of the body.
Hematoma of the Ear Flap
This condition occurs when the blood is accumulated between the cartilage and skin of the ear flap. This ear problem is due to too much head shaking or scratching at the ears.
Ear Mite Infestation
Animals like dogs and cats can possibly be infested with ear mites. Dog owners should watch out for these tiny white parasites because they are highly contagious and could infect the whole litter even if only one dog is infested initially. Signs of ear mite infestation include head shaking and ear scratching.
Shih Tzu care is not only limited to making your dog look beautiful. Keeping him clean matters the most.