View Full Version : My dog shakes and rubs her ears a lot
Sakura6
Dec 10, 2007, 07:27 AM
My dog keeps rubbing and shaking her ears, why does she do this and is there anything I can do to make her feel more comfortable?
charlotte234s
Dec 10, 2007, 07:30 AM
Se may have an ear ifection or ear mites, or some other ear issue. Take her to the vet and find out, you'll probably end up getting some ear drops for her.
RubyPitbull
Dec 10, 2007, 08:20 AM
Sakura, do you clean her ears out at all? Along with the possibilities that Charlotte has brought it, it might be something as simple as wax buildup. To help the wax move up and out of the ear canal, rub/scritch behind and a little under her ears. You will feel a soft spot right under the ear and slightly to the front of it, so be very, very gentle when rubbing that area. Aside from helping to move the wax up and out when you do this, your dog will enjoy the massage. Check the ear canal and see what is in there. I know some people use a q-tip, but I don't. I am too fearful of it getting stuck. I use my pinky to gently remove whatever garbage is in there. I wipe it off on a tissue, and continue doing that until I have removed all evidence of gunk. Then I wash my hands thoroughly. If you find that the gunk that comes out looks black & grainy like sand, or if there is a foul odor emanating from her ears, she has ear mites, an infection, or some other issue as Charlotte pointed out. A lot of people treat ear mites on their own without the aid of a vet. But, if you haven't done this before, aren't sure of what it is, then it is time to schedule a visit to the vet and let him/her do their job, and give your dog the relief she needs.
froggy7
Dec 10, 2007, 09:38 AM
And even if it is "just wax", it is possible for the wax to be hard enough and thick enough that it is not easily removed without putting drops in to soften it and flushing the ear canal. It's happened to me and to my dog. That's easier on humans, because I know what the buzzing, fuzzing noise is and why its happening.
labman
Dec 10, 2007, 10:18 AM
If it smells bad, it is an ear infection and needs the vet. If the whole ear is red inside, it is ear mites and can easily be treated yourself. Just coat it with some kind of oil, baby oil, cooking oil, etc. The oil clogs the pores they breath through.
Some dogs, including my old Lab, sometimes produce a lot of gunky ear wax. You can clean it up. I use water with about 1/4 vinegar. If the outer part of the ear is bad, I start with a cotton ball getting what I can. Then I work down into the ear as far as I can with a Q-tip. Be careful and be gentle.
If none of this helps, better call the vet. Even if some of this reduced the problem, it is something to talk to the vet about next visit.
Somebody recently mentioned a foaming dog ear cleaner. It might be worth doing a search and trying it. If you do try it, post back with the results.