Ear Hair

[Bonnie and Kona]

Kona has lots of ear hair. He hasn't had it pulled in a couple of years and has never had an ear infection. I don't know why the groomer stopped pulling it. I am planning to start grooming him myself and am wondering if I need to do that since he has never had an ear infection.

[Lynda Kamrath]

I would definitely do some hair pulling from the inner ear.  I had a poodle who always had ear infections and he had very thick hair all over his ears, outside, inside, and in the inner canal.  Since that experience with him, I have always pulled the inner ear hairs and shaved or snipped the hair on the inside ear flap so it doesn't get so heavy.  So far, no ear infections with any of my doodles, but the little guy did get foxtails in his ear last week.  I got two out, but he needed to go to the vet for the third one.  It was deep in his ear and took her a while to get it out.  Is it the same groomer?

[Bonnie and Kona]

The first groomer at the first shop pulled his ear hair. The second groomer at the first shop did not. Interestingly enough, we changed grooming shops only to discover that the employee from the first shop moved to the second shop! The second groomer at the second shop didn't pull his ear hair either. strange. I don't know if the first groomer made a note on his "chart" or what.

[Ricki and Tara (doodle)]

This makes me think of that old adage about "if it ain't broke, don't fix it"! If he hasn't had it pulled in a couple of years and you have had no problems it sounds like this is working!  Some DK'ers have said they had to STOP pulling the hair to get rid of infections because the pulling was contributing to the problem by cause inflammation in the ears!  Tara does not have a LOT of hair in her ears but she has some and I have never pulled it.

[Bonnie and Kona]

Ricki- Thanks for your thoughts. I think I will leave well-enough alone until something changes.

[Ricki and Tara (doodle)]

That is probably the way I would play it too! I hope it works out well for you and Kona!!!

[Sue, Murphy and Bella ()*o*()]

I do agree with Ricki if it ain't broken don'f fix it and our DD does not have her doodles hair pulled but once a year or if there is a problem with smell. I however have spent $$$$$$$$$ on chronic and severe ear infections with Murphy and have even wondered myself if pulling has added to those infections but several vets recommended we continue pulling hair out before, during and after his treatments so I will pull his ear hair and continue to clean weekly until he is a ripe old age as it was just too traumatic for us both to have him so sick with infections.

[Ricki and Tara (doodle)]

Sue, do you think that lifestyle may play a part in the ear infection problem? Tara is a real "girlie girl". She hates getting dirty or wet or even walking in GRASS!!  So she is never out playing rough and tumble with other dogs with her ears rolling in the dirt where she could pick up bacteria. Dogs playing is more of a spectator sport for Tara rather than something she wants to be a part of.  We don't have a pool so her ears stay dry which I think also helps.What do you think?

I would do whatever was necessary to keep her ears clear of infection just as you are with Murph. Earaches are so painful! I'm glad you have his under control!

[Bonnie and Kona]

Dear Sue, We have had Goldens and Springers with chronic ear infections and it is a nightmare! I am surprised that Kona doesn't have them but neither did our Cavalier King Charles Spaniel. The vet couldn't believe that! Poor Murph!

[Ann Kurtzman]

I have been using a solution in Dudley's ears that has stopped his ear infections. Amazing stuff. Inexpensive to make...certainly compared to the vet visits! http://www.woodhavenlabs.com/ears.html

[J and Riley (and Luna)]

If you're going to pull the hair yourself, get a nice sturdy pair of tweezers and possibly some ear powder for more friction.  I'm not sure about the powder - not sure if that's still the preferred way to go.

 

I clean Luna's ears weekly with ear cleaning solution then go through the outer ear just under the flap with Q-tips cleaning out any wax I can see in the crevices. If Kona struggles while you clean ears, then I would use a cotton ball instead.  I will occasionally pull hairs if they look especially fluffy and are sticking out into the ear canal.

 

 

[Julie and Maggie]

Newbie question: Does it hurt the dog when you pluck the ear hair? Is it like when we pluck our own head of hair or is it more like eyebrows? Do the dogs react? Just want to be prepared... :)

 

Julie

[Nicky, Riley & Boris]

It doesn't hurt  the dog but if they aren't used to being touched in the ears they can sometimes object.  I always use powder but it's just to get a grip on the hairs.  These are hairs that are growing inside the ear and not on the flap.  They come out really easily.  I just twist them and gently pull a little at a time. I personally don't like the idea of using tweezers just in case the dog moves and you have an accident, but that's just my preference.