I'm feeling pretty worried right now and could really use some advice. Earlier today, I was cleaning my dog's ears with an ear cleaner solution because he's been shaking his head a lot. I think I may have overdone it, though. I didn't realize at the time that I might be using too much, and now his ear looks a bit red and he's been pawing at it more than usual. He's a big fluffy golden retriever, and he's never had ear issues before, so I'm totally freaking out thinking I could have caused this irritation. Has anyone else done this and can you suggest what I should do next? Should I rinse his ear out or just leave it? He's my baby and I feel terrible about this. Any help would be really appreciated.
Hello there! It’s easy to worry when we think we've overdone something with our pets, so let’s take a deep breath and assess the situation calmly. If you’ve accidentally used too much ear cleaner in your dog’s ear, the good news is that it generally isn’t harmful, but there are a few things to keep an eye on.
First, make sure to gently wipe away any excess cleaner with a soft cloth or cotton ball. You just want to avoid anything sharp or poking too deeply into the ear canal. It’s normal for your dog to shake their head a bit to get the liquid out, which actually helps to remove the excess fluid naturally.
Potential issues from using too much ear cleaner might include irritation or redness if the cleaner stays in the ear too long. Keep an eye out for persistent head shaking, scratchy behavior, or a bad smell, which could indicate an infection or other issue.
If you notice any signs of discomfort, ongoing discharge, or if their ear seems painful to the touch, please don’t hesitate to reach out. It would be a great idea to book a video consult with one of our vets on Dial A Vet to ensure everything is alright and to get peace of mind.
Take care, and give that pup an extra scratch behind the ear for me!
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