There is a lot of "know-how" when it comes to catering for German shepherds; for instance, you should know how to stop a German shepherd from shedding and how to clean German shepherd puppy ears.
Generally, German shepherds possess ears that are large and erect. The structure of their ears gives them the advantage of hearing better. However, because their ears are standing, air circulation is easier for them, unlike dogs with floppy ears. Due to this, their ear canals will always be dry, reducing their risk of catching an infection.
However, you should essentially clean the German shepherd's ears periodically to maintain healthiness. German Shepherd puppies are delicate compared to the grown ones. Therefore you should be very careful when cleaning their ears; you should also clean them less often.
There are vital steps you should employ when cleaning the ears of a German shepherd puppy
Step 1: Gently examine the ears of your puppy for awareness of infections. Check inside your puppy’s ears for redness, inflammation, or the excretion of an awful odor. If your German shepherd puppy's ears aren’t pink and without discharge, then you should take it to the vet because the infection might require medical attention.
Step 2: Gently pull the outer part of your puppy’s ears upwards to expose the inner part.
Step 3: Gently pour a few drops of ear cleaner into your puppy’s ear. Using your hands (after making sure that they are clean), distribute the solution around your puppy’s ears by massaging its ear base. Make sure your puppy’s head is still.
Step 4: Gently wipe the inner part of your puppy’s ears with cotton wool. Wipe away the debris in your puppy’s ears as well as the cleanser.
Step 5: German shepherds have erect ears exposed to air; due to this, they should dry quickly. If you’re, however, concerned about them staying drier quicker, you can add an ear-drying powder.
Step 6: Carry out the same procedure on your Puppy’s second ear and reward it with a treat afterward.
Note that while cleaning your puppy’s ears, you should be gentle, and you should also avoid placing cotton swabs too profoundly or forcefully into their ears. This act can cause pain, damage to their eardrum, or even complete ear loss because the ears are a susceptible area.
You may also need to cut the cotton balls that you have pulled into half.
It is also important to note that your puppy mustn’t feel any pain afterward; your puppy should shake its head after a cleaning session. If it is unable to do so without feeling pains, you should check for pains or take it to the vet.
Why is it essential to clean German shepherd puppy ears from time to time?
Generally, regular checkups are a great way to detect any arising issue. That being said, regular cleansing and care of your puppy’s ears is an excellent way to reduce the chances of ear infections and wax buildup. Regular cleaning can reduce the risk of ear disease, potential chronic illness, and hearing loss.
Routine cleaning and at-home examinations will not only monitor infection build-up but will also prevent you from the cost of treating a full-blown ear infection. However, you can incorporate a monthly or time to time check-up with the veterinarian to have clinical assurance.
To clean normal puppy ears, you should use a mild ear cleaner, one that is specifically designed for pets. Avoid vinegar, alcohol, and apple cider vinegar because these solutions can irritate your puppy's skin or even cause an uncomfortable inflammation in your puppy’s ears.
Several ear cleansers; some are designed to break up ear wax, while some are designed to dry out the ear canal. It may be best to go for a combination, to have the effect of the two. You can also consult your veterinarian for the best options. Ensure that you use soft materials like cotton wool or soothing wipes for cleaning your puppy’s ears.
When it comes to cleaning your puppy’s ears, you shouldn’t wash them in excess. Some vets may recommend cleaning your puppy’s ears once a month or once in two months, and this is because constant cleaning can irritate the skin in your dog's ear canal. More so, It all depends on the wax production rate of your puppy, your puppy's level of activity, or if it regularly gets its ear wet.
Ear mites are microscopic organisms; they are infectious organisms that appear like tiny white dots, making it difficult for them to be seen with the naked eye. Dogs can have ear mites the same way they have nasal mites. Your dog can get ear mites through many ways. One of the most significant sources is contamination through an already infected dog or contamination through surfaces and particles carrying mites.
If your dog has an ear mite infection, the symptoms will be;
If you ever think that your dog has ear mites, best advice is to take it to the vet for verification and adequate medication. This is because there is a high chance that you might take a yeast infection or any other type of condition for an ear mite infection. And you may be worsening the case by giving your dog the wrong medication; therefore, always go to your vet to confirm any disease.
Catering for a puppy is a deliberate and delicate task as their bodies and organs are immature.
This is why cleaning parts of your puppy’s body requires necessary attention and guidelines while also employing the best materials and equipment. Because the ear is a delicate part of the body, in dogs and humans alike, you should even be more careful when cleaning your puppy’s ears.
Provided above is the detail for every necessary step you’re required to take to make sure your puppy’s ears stay intact and healthy.
