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Although Shih Tzu care almost means caring and grooming the coat, Shih Tzu owners must also remember that the ears are still part of your dog’s body. It is important to maintain the cleanliness of your dog’s ears because these parts are prone to ear mites and allergies.

Before cleaning your dog’s ears, get the necessary cleaning implements such as cotton balls, cotton swab, damp wash cloth or ear cleaning solution. Your veterinarian or local pet supply store can provide this ear wash or ear cleaning solution. Some use mixture of water and hydrogen peroxide as substitute for ear cleaning solution.

Remove the dirt in the outer area first using a cotton ball dampened with a cleaning solution. Then clean the inner ear. Fill the ear canal with cleaning solution then massage for about 20 seconds to help loosen dirt and ear wax. With the use of cotton balls, wipe the dirt and excess fluid but be careful not to push down the cotton balls inside the ear.

A Shih Tzu will less likely contract the following diseases if proper cleaning of the ear is regularly done:

Otitis Media

Otits Media or infection of the middle ear occurs when the infection of the external ear canal spreads into the middle ear. Dog owners should be careful of foreign bodies, debris and ulceration and even when cleaning to prevent rupturing the eardrum, allowing bacteria to reach the middle ear. Middle ear infection exhibits odor, discharge, ear scratching, head shaking and head tilt.

Otitis Externa

Outer ear infection is another term for Otitis Externa. Otitis Externa is an infection of the ear canal that usually begins at the outside of the ear opening and moves inwards to the eardrum. Causes of outer ear infection include bacteria, fungi, ear mites, accumulation of wax, thick or matted hair in the ear canal, debris, impaired drainage of the ear and infections from other parts of the body.

Hematoma of the Ear Flap

When the blood accumulates between the cartilage and skin of the ear flap, hematoma occurs. Reasons for the occurrence of this condition are too much head shaking or scratching at the ears.

Ear Mite Infestation

Ear mites are tiny white parasites infesting animals such as dogs and cats. These parasites are highly contagious, affects the whole litter even if only one dog is infested initially. Signs to watch out are head shaking and ear scratching.

Cleaning the ears is as important as grooming the coat. After all, Shih Tzu care is not just about coat and looks.

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