Sore ear - to clean, or not to clean?

Spudlet

Spudlet

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We had a clipping mishap on Friday. I always trim the hair on the underside of Henry's ear flaps to help stop things being caught in it - well, I was doing this and he heard a noise outside and moved suddenly:rolleyes: I haven't cut him, but he got a very close shave indeed:o:(! He has then itched at this until the skin has become sore and weepy -he had a couple of days when he was left alone for a few hours and since I wasn't there to stop him, he seems to have done quite some damage:(

It doesn't smell infected and he isn't worrying at it, shaking his head, cocking his head or giving any strong pain reaction when I examine it and gently stroke the outside of his ears and around there, so provided it continues to clear up I am going to keep and eye on it rather than take him straight to the vets (of course if it gets worse it will be a vet trip). He is a bit concerned about me touching it (he gives appeasing signals rather than tries to avoid me and doesn't flinch when I touch his ears) and did give a small wimper when he tried to scratch it earlier, but tbh I don't see that as a bad thing if it means he leaves it alone - I did dry it gently with a clean tissue to remove some of the wetness after that and he was fine. However I am torn between leaving it completely alone, and giving it a gentle clean with some warm water and cotton wool? I don't want to make it worse, but he has a couple of crusty patches I'd like to get off if possible.

As I said, I'll keep an eye on it either way and if there's no improvement or it worsens, I'll take him to the vet.

Poor Henry, I feel ever so guilty:o:(
 
So is it a tear on the edge of the ear flap or somewhere in the middle, is it outer or inner flap?
I would clip and clean the area (getting hair away from infected/scabby wound sites) helps in healing. As long as it is scabbing over.
I am sure you will know when a vet visit is warranted. I would certainly clip and clean it though esp if claggy and cruddy.

Be prepared for it (the ear) to drop off though:eek::p
 
I can't see a wound at all, the poor lad. I don't think it's an infection in the ear itself, though of course will keep an eye on that possibility too. Will give it a good clean, thanks :)
 
as Cayla said, clean with whatever you normally use, if you don't have anything then teaspoon of salt in a pint of boiled water to bathe... wouldn't hurt putting some cottonwool on your finger and having a wipe around inside the ear.. you won't go too far with your finger.. may be some hair in there or if it looks mucky you can treat accordingly. Do you have any Fuciderm gel about?
 
Ok, I have cleaned with warm salt water and cotton wool. I also got my head torch out and looked in his ear and as far as I could see the inside of the ear looked fine. The irritation is around two red patches of skin, where I think he scratched himself. I considered some aloe Vera gel but on second thoughts I think I will just keep bathing it and not put anything on in case it makes it itchier
 
Thanks for all advice guys - just a quick update, it looks much better this morning. Have bathed it again and will see if it needs another one this evening but am happy with it as it seems to be drying out, and the redness is now just in a couple of patches rather than over a large area as before. :)
 
Bathe in some tepid salt water

My vet says not to clip my dogs ears as she's prone to ear infections so they just get trimmed at the bottom straight across, this is what the groomer did so I do it in between visits
 
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