This photo essay is an illustration of my technique for cleaning the ears of our Old English Sheepdogs, Afghan Hounds and Bedlam Terriorist (okay Michele he is “officially” a Bedlington Terrier but practically …….). The photos and text presented here should be viewed in combination with my ear cleaning post and subsequent thread at http://forum.oes.org to get the most benefit.


Photo 1 These are the tools and supplies I use to clean our boys’ (and girls’) ears. Top row left to right
Q’Tips. A good quality name brand Q’Tip is needed to clean specific areas of dirt in the ear opening and for general cleaning deeper in the ear canal.
Panalog antibiotic ointment. A prescription ointment used to combat ear infections which I also use sparingly as a preventative measure.
Oticalm. A vet-supplied ear cleaning agent for deep in the ear canal. This is less irritating to the soft tissues of the ear canal and eardrum than isopropyl alcohol, although alcohol remains a primary tool when used with proper discretion on the ear flap in the upper ear canal.
Make-up Removal Pads – individual example shown directly below. Michele introduced me to these circular multi-layer cotton pads and I find them excellent for general cleaning and drying of the ear.
Giant Size Cotton Puffs – individual example shown directly below. Used to apply alcohol, clean and dry the ear flap, and ear canal. Get the largest ones possible for absorbency and to protect the ear tissues from being scratched by your fingernails.

Bottom row left to right
Hindes Pin Brush. The hair on the ear flap and surrounding area must be groomed to allow access to the underside of the ear flap and the area surrounding the ear canal opening. As the dog shakes his/her head during the cleaning procedure you will need to frequently “reset” the hair so you can see what you are doing.
Resco #80 comb. Another grooming tool to ensure there are no knots on the ear flap and area surrounding the ear canal opening.
Isopropyl Alcohol (99%). General cleaning and drying agent available at most drug stores, Walmart etc. Be sure to get 99% alcohol as the balance is primarily water. In lower alcohol mixtures (70%, 91%) the balance is primarily oil which is what we are trying to remove from our dogs’ ears.
R-7 Natural Ear Cleaner. Any good quality commercial ear cleaning and treatment fluid available at any good pet supply store to combat wax/dirt build-up and infection. There are a number available but this is the one we had on hand at the time this photo essay was being developed.


Always make sure you have plenty of supplies on hand an NEVER be stingy on their use. No single item is expensive and all of them together are far less expensive than a single vet visit to deal with an inflamed or infected ear! On with the show!