Ear scratching

[Jayme]

Sky has just recently started scratching her ears. She has been grromed, we used ear wash, and even took her to the vet. He said they were a little inflamed, probably from scratching, and put in a steroid ointment. He said doodles has know for ear scratching, which I've not heard before. One ear is better but she is still scratching the right one.
Any suggestions or comments??

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Poodles are known for ear infections; so much so that chronic ear infections are called "Poodle ear". Poodles and all mixes with similar coats require ear maintenance, some more than others. The wool-y, water resistant hair in the ear canal traps oils and wax, and the floppy ears prevent air circulation, and create a dark, moist environment that's perfect for fostering the growth of yeasts and bacterias. In addition, some dogs' ear canals are narrower than others, adding to the problem. If your dog likes to swim, that can create problems with the ears too. 

We have many, many discussions here about ear maintenance. Some people have the hair in the canals removed regularly, others don't. I've lived with Poodles and Poodle mixes since 1958 and I always had the hair properly (there is a right way and a wrong way to do it) removed from the ears of all my dogs who had non-shedding, Poodle-y coats. (My shedding labradoodle doesn;t need it) One thing almost everyone agrees on is that you MUST keep the ears clean and dry. Most of us use a cleaning solution with a drying agent on a weekly basis. 

[Jayme]

I deleted the other discussion. When I was completing them it said both times it didn’t go through! Sorry...I guess it did..lol! I may be duplicating this because I was trying to reply and it didn’t seem to go through again! So I’ve waited, and it appears it did not so I’m commenting again.
I think we are using the right ear wash but we need to be more regular applying. Also, you mentioned that there is a right and wrong way of plucking their ear hairs. What is the wrong way?

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

It's more knowing how to use the tools correctly than the method, I guess. Usually, a hemostat is used to grab the hair and kind of twist it out, and if someone doesn't know what she is doing or isn't careful, the metal tool can scratch or gouge the inside of the ear, which can itself cause an ear infection. I had a new groomer do that to one of my Poodles years ago. Within 2 hours of picking her up from the groomer, we were at the vet's office and she already had an infection brewing. If it's done correctly, it doesn't hurt or cause any damage. I would personally never do it myself, I only have it done by the vet or by a very experienced, trusted groomer. 

[Jayme]

Ok. I just wanted to make sure there wasn’t something I needed to know. I wouldn’t do it myself either but our groomer says she doesn’t even flinch so I’m sure they are using the right technique. They are highly recommended by our vet and also Sky’s trainer.
Thank you!!!

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

The vet would have seen a gouge from an instrument if that were the case. But I'd also just start looking at the timing between grooming and incidents of ear rubbing or scratching. It is possible that something they did or used contributed to it. 

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Jayme, somehow, you duplicated this discussion. Here's a link to the other one. As long as nobody responds to the other one, you can delete it, which I think would be a good idea. It could be very confusing having two of the same discussion going on in the forum, lol. 

 http://www.doodlekisses.com/forum/topics/ear-scratching-1