Ears and Taping

EAR CARE:
Check the ear regularly, if there is any offensive odors or redness have your Vet look at them. All could be signs of infection, and need to be treated if so.

Removing hairs;
If there is hair in the channel, remove it by pulling it out with your fingers. Pull quickly, not slow- and only take a few hairs at a time.

Cleaning the ears;
It is essential to clean your dog's ears. Cleaning a dog's ears is fairly simple, but if you have any questions you should consult a veterinarian.

Vinegar is great for cleaning the ears. Use apple cider vinegar or white vinegar, also called acetic acid, because it removes dirt and debris and helps restore a healthful chemical balance in the ears. Mix 1 part vinegar with 3 parts water.

To clean the ear pour a small amount of ear cleaning solution (bought or self made) into the ear canal, massage the area, then gently wipe the inside of the ear with a cotton ball.

The solution should be kept at room temperature or warmed to room temperature before use. Supplies needed include the ear cleaning solution (bought or self made), cotton balls and cotton-tipped applicators.

Fill the entire ear canal with the solution.

Gently massage the ear canal using an upward motion. Place a cotton ball in the opening of the external ear canal. Repeat the massage with the cotton ball in the opening of the canal...without adding any additional ear cleaning solution...until the majority of the solution has been removed from the ear. Dont worry if the dog shakes its head, that only helps expel the solution from the ear.

Use the cotton-tipped applicator to clean areas that you can see. Do not clean deep in the canal with the applicators (you will only push exudate deeper into the canal!).

Repeat the process for the opposite ear.



GETTING THE EARS UP:

Taping, Method I: Supplies needed: Surgical tape (These will breathe and they come off fairly nicely, alternatively sports tape) Moleskin w/ sticky backing (Available where you purchase foot insoles) or alternaitvely tampons Scissors for cutting Directions: 1. Shave the ears. 2. With this method we use something in the ear to support it. This can be Moleskin; Cut roughly into the shape of the inside of the ear. Use the shaped moleskin, apply to inside of ear, vertically Or tampons: Take a couple of tampons and tape with the sticky side out around the tampons. Stick the tampon vertically inside the ears, making sure to leave some breathing space at the bottom 3. After the supports are in the ear, and is sticking to it, cut 2 strips of tape and tape them around the ears to form sylinders. 4. Make a bridge across the ears so they will have some support. Make sure you also put another strip of tape at the back of your bridge, it gives a bit more asupport and also ensures that there are no sticky parts. Taping, Method II: Supplies needed: Surgical Tape (These will breathe and they come off with ease) Scissors for cutting Directions: 1. Shave the ears 2. With this method we use tape alone. Use the thin white surgical tape (the kind that's paper thin and tears easily). The 3M Micropore tape, 2" wide works good. Depending on the ear size the length of tape varies but stips of approx about 3 inches should be fine. 3. I place the tape on an angle on the back of the ear, covering the area where the ear is widest. 4. Then I wrap the ends in toward the inside of the ear, making sure I cover the area where the ear tends to get a bend. 5. I reapeat this procedure a bit higher up on the ear, making sure the layers overlap. Now the ear has support. Make sure the ear canal is well open and there is no tape blocking it. 6. Cut 2 strips of tape and tape them around the ears to form sylinders. 7. Make a bridge across the ears so they will have some support. Make sure you also put another strip of tape at the back of your bridge, it gives a bit more support and also ensures that there are no sticky parts.