I noticed Merlin shaking his head and have just had a look - one of his ears is pink and beautifulfully clean, while the other is red and a bit sore- looking, with black gunk... Obviously a vet visit on Monday, but does anyone have a tip what we can do to help in the meantime?
If Merlin is scratching his ear, it's brown and gunky could it be mites? Thornit Powder could help, if you have any. Poor boy x
Poor boy! I wouldn't put anything in there until the vet has identified the cause and location of the problem in the ear canal. It sounds like an infection if it's come on pretty suddenly.
Yes, I assume an infection, or possibly mites. No thorn it powder here Helen... It doesn't really seem to be bothering him, so I'll just leave well alone until Monday. Thanks both x
Lilly is the same. Black gunk in her ear we noticed a couple of days ago. Not managed to the vet yet, but not in the least bothered by it. Vets Monday too.
It is possible to clean his outer ear with baby wipes....my vet told me to do so to keep Finns ears clean....
I'd leave it as it is so the vet can make a full assessment, with all symptoms visible. Hope all the sore ears are better soon!
A lot of vets work by smell too for ear things if you clean it they might miss something. I usually leave it alone until the vets had a good look.
I'd be cleaning the ear (but not digging into the ear canal) with cotton wool and cooled boiled water to dampen the cotton wool (squeeze it well to get rid of excess water). Then dry thoroughly with dry cotton wool. He'll feel a lot more comfortable if they're clean. Monday is still a while away with a sore ear. The vet will use a scope to see right down into the ear, where you won't be able to clean in any case.
It's a bacterial infection - he has ear drops and already seems much better, thanks for asking @charlie. I hope Lily is feeling better too, @drjs@5 ?
