Puppy with itchy ears

Ms2011

My 12 week old Chihuahua puppy's ears are driving him crazy today. I looked inside & they look pretty dirty & he's scratching & shaking his head alot.
I have a vets appointment on Monday for his second lot of injections so I'll have him checked properly then but does anyone know any ways to relieve some of the discomfort for him until then?

em_cat

Ms2011 wrote: »

My 12 week old Chihuahua puppy's ears are driving him crazy today. I looked inside & they look pretty dirty & he's scratching & shaking his head alot.
I have a vets appointment on Monday for his second lot of injections so I'll have him checked properly then but does anyone know any ways to relieve some of the discomfort for him until then?

You need to gently wipe them out with a damp soft cloth or tissue for a start. Look it up online as you’ll need to train him or he’ll end up with a phobia, not good for him, you, Vet or groomer. Make sure to give him something he REALLY loves after each ear.

Hope this helps.

Fakediamond

I’m a great believer in apple cider vinegar, well diluted in tepid water, I’ve used it on my cats ears with great results as it’s anti-fungal and anti-bacterial. Dip a soft cloth into the diluted ACV, wring it out well and wipe ears, but not if it stings though or you’ll never get near him again.

em_cat

Fakediamond wrote: »

I’m a great believer in apple cider vinegar, well diluted in tepid water, I’ve used it on my cats ears with great results as it’s anti-fungal and anti-bacterial. Dip a soft cloth into the diluted ACV, wring it out well and wipe ears, but not if it stings though or you’ll never get near him again.

I would do that as well but as it’s a 12 week pupp I thought it better to be cautious. In the past I used a dilluted aloe & tea tree mix but our terrier really hates the smell. I’ve also used vodka but only in a pinch.

Patty O Furniture

You should get a dog collar from the vet to prevent it from further scratching when the puppy gets whatever prescription for the ear!

A friend of mine has a Bichon Frise & he told me that the ears got worse when he scratched it with his paws.

tk123

I find VetIQ ear cleaner good because it's oily compared to an alcohol one that can sting. MaxiZoo and PetStop stock it.

aonb

EAR MITES are a very common complaint OP. Do some research and discuss with your vet on Monday. Itchy ears can also be caused by various problems, so really in a puppy, until diagnosed, I would say, cooled boiled water to clear any major gunk in the ear, is as much as you should put into a puppy's ears. If hes really distressed, the proprietary ear cleaners certainly worth a try, til you get to a vet. Be very careful not to put cotton buds etc into the ear - a water-based babywipe is ideal - and lots of treats to make the experience positive

Ms2011

Thanks for the replies, I gave them a wipe with cooled boiled water but the ''dirt' seems oily so it wasn't really coming off & I didn't want to rub too hard. Scratching seems to be hurting him now too so I'm eager just to get him to the vets now.

em_cat

Ms2011 wrote: »

Thanks for the replies, I gave them a wipe with cooled boiled water but the ''dirt' seems oily so it wasn't really coming off & I didn't want to rub too hard. Scratching seems to be hurting him now too so I'm eager just to get him to the vets now.

Try a wee bit of olive oil, it works wonders, it can help to dislodge the waxy build up, but it sounds as if he has ear mites, very common in pups.

eirbear1989

How did you get on with the Vet? My dog had something the same Paddy's weekend. We gave him a bath and must have got water in his ears. This caused an infection. Took awhile but we finally bet it. He is fully back to normal now thankfully!! The shaking gets really annoying after awhile, especially at night when he makes the whole bed shake!

Ms2011

eirbear1989 wrote: »

How did you get on with the Vet? My dog had something the same Paddy's weekend. We gave him a bath and must have got water in his ears. This caused an infection. Took awhile but we finally bet it. He is fully back to normal now thankfully!! The shaking gets really annoying after awhile, especially at night when he makes the whole bed shake!

The vet gave his ears a good clean but couldn't see any mites or redness. He also gave me a spot on treatment that would kill any mites just in case there was any he couldn't see.
His a bit better but still scratching at times so we're keeping an eye on things.

em_cat

Ms2011 wrote: »

The vet gave his ears a good clean but couldn't see any mites or redness. He also gave me a spot on treatment that would kill any mites just in case there was any he couldn't see.
His a bit better but still scratching at times so we're keeping an eye on things.

Meant to ask you how you got on at the vet. Happy to hear no issues.

Our lad shakes his head a lot too, no medical issues. Every time we come in from a walk he has to rub both sides of his head all over the hall carpet, on the sofa, the balcony mats, his beds, our bed, the majority of his soft toys... and he growls and grunts as he's doing it. Goes on for about 2 to 3 minutes. Its very funny but kind of OCD...

eirbear1989

Ms2011 wrote: »

The vet gave his ears a good clean but couldn't see any mites or redness. He also gave me a spot on treatment that would kill any mites just in case there was any he couldn't see.
His a bit better but still scratching at times so we're keeping an eye on things.

Yeah my fella seems to be better, but still shakes his head some times. Hoping it doesn't turn into a bad habit.

SleetAndSnow

My Bichon has similar issues that just flare up every once in a while. He nibbles at his paws a lot too, often biting them so hard it hurts him . Brought him to the vet who suggested a new anti allergy food, been a few months and seems to have helped a bit but he hates it! He only eats it when he really has too, sad to see! Ears still flare up every now and then but better then before. Seems to have been some sort of allergy in our case.