I have a Golden Labrador male of age 5 years named Duke. He has frequent ear problems. Once you pick his ears, a foul smell comes. How do I take care of his ears on a regular basis?

Duke appears to be suffering from an ear condition called Otitis Externa and he needs to be taken care of seriously before it gets chronic and make him very uncomfortable. Otitis Externa may be caused by organisms, foreign substances, or neoplasia entering the external ear canal, the middle ear and the eustachian tube. Water in the ear canal during bathing or swimming may be an important cause. Proliferation of bacterial organisms in the external ear canal can cause the animal great discomfort and predispose to Otitis media and Otitis Externa. Please consult your vet who will examine the ear and probably do a culture of the ear swab so as to find the causative organism. Daily or periodic cleaning of ear canals with normal saline or ceruminolytics in my opinion would be quiet helpful in the longer run.

Question by – Nidhi Malhotra, Delhi