[020202]

Yesterday my vet advised me to NOT ear pluck. She said that IzzyBella's ears are very dirty but even so to not pluck them. She said it's a two edged sword, plucking keeps them clean but plucking causes irritation and infection. What do you guys think? What's been your experience?

 

[jmm]

It depends on the dog. If the hair is not too bad and the dog does not have problems, I would not pluck. Plucking a lot of hair at once can cause irritation and infection. If the dog has problems or tons and tons of ear hair, then you start plucking.

 

[Caesar's Mommie]

My vet said the same thing, not to pluck the ear hair.

 

[mylittlebella]

my vet told me not to pluck too but he has done it to Bella in the past.

 

[FannyMay]

I wouldn't pluck dirty ears. I would clean the ears first and then maybe the next day pluck if they get bad. If you pluck a dirty ear, it's more likely to get infected. I was told TO pluck Fantasia’s ears. Her ears tend to stay nice a clean though and I don’t have to pluck often.

 

[MalteseJane]

I don't pluck Alex's hair, but he never had dirty ears or an infection in his ears.
And there are not many hairs there to pluck anyway. I think dirty ears or infections in ears are related to allergies.

 

[Ladysmom]

Lady came to me with horrible yeast infections in both ears. She could hardly even hear her ears were so packed with crud and hair. My vet told me it was important to keep her ears plucked. I just use a little R7 ear powder and do it with my fingers so only the hair that comes out easily comes out. I have never noticed her ears being irritated and she hasn't had any infections since.

Why are Izzybella's ears so dirty? That doesn't sound normal for a puppy. Her ears should be pink and clean. Did you vet check the "dirt" under a microscope for ear mites? They're not uncommon in puppies, especially if the breeder wasn't diligent about hygiene.

 

[Chelsey]

Chesey had a ear infection as well. my vet and breeder both told me to pulck the hair outl mind you she hardly has any in her ears.
I asked my vet about the cleaning solution and she told me not to use it. jus keep her ears clean.. so i have a bottel at home doing noting but looking pretty now.

Chester has never had a problem with his ears. Knock on wood.

 

[Toby's Mom]

-_-

 

[kodie]

I used to pluck Kodie's ears... but not anymore. So far... no probs

<knock on wood>

 

[020202]

Did you vet check the "dirt" under a microscope for ear mites? They're not uncommon in puppies, especially if the breeder wasn't diligent about hygiene.[/B]

Yes, they put a qtip in and did a swap and then tested it. Dr. Jones came back in the room and said it was negative for ear mites. Plus I read the other sites and looked at the photos, Izzy's ears didn't look like that so I didn't think it was mites. It's just dirty, more in the one ear than the other.

 

[Ladysmom]

Glad they checked!

She is soooooo cute! How old is she?

 

[ButterCloudandNoriko]

Not only does plucking depend on the dog, but how often to pluck depends on them too. I rarely pluck Noriko's hair because she doesnt have much. Cloud's ears always gets dirty and the hair in his ears are thicker.