Ear Canal Resection

[Brianna Miller]

Hi all!

Our 11 month old F1B labradoodle, Murphy, has been battling some awful ear infections the last few months. Today his vet sedated him to remove some hard wax that was lodged deep into his ear canal in both ears, as well as remove some of the hair that was growing very far into the canal. He suggested we consider an ear canal resection surgery to help alleviate the hair that is growing into the canal. Have any of you had issues with ear infections or had experience with the surgery? We don't want to rush into this decision, but definitely want to do what is best for our doodle. Any advice is appreciated!

Thank you!

[Ginny Nightingale]

No, I know nothing about that--but when I groom doodles, I pull the hair out of their ears--they don't like that much but it has to be done--sometimes a 3 inch hair comes out! You can put powder on your fingers and pull some out each night when you are cuddling with the pooch, but if that freaks you out, then get a groomer to do it...I don't see what surgery is needed when it is easy to get the hair out.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Some poodles, Cockers, and related dogs have structural abnormalities with the ear canals which makes it difficult if not impossible to get the hair out and to clean them properly, and they usually have frequent, serious ear infections that are difficult to treat. Those are the cases for which ear canal surgery is often recommended. 

[F, Calla & Luca]

I would consider the surgery a last resort and try all methods of cleaning etc. to prevent it.

[Jessica, Loki and Moose]

A co worker's lab gets really horrible ear infections all the time and recently they have started putting a enzymatic gel it the dogs ears, after baths or swimming, with hydrocortisone in it and they have had a lot of luck with that. I mean that doesn't take care of the hair problem but she said it really cuts down on the inflammation and makes it manageable to clean and care for the ears. Not sure if this is relevant but I thought I would offer it up!

[Laurie, Wally & Charlotte]

I have used a prescription enzyatic solution for one of my dogs and it works really well.  It's manufactured by Zymox, and it's called, Otic HC 1.0%.

[Marianne Kay]

I liked the way ear cleaning was presented in this goldendoodle youtube video:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lTehBCaqI3Y

This doodle sits very quietly while some hairs are pulled out. I have treats ready when I do this with my dog, and only do one ear one day, then wait another day to do the other ear.

Good luck with whatever decision you feel is best.