Otitis in dogs (photo): types of ear inflammation, symptoms and treatment

Common diseases

Due to the structure of the Cocker Spaniel's ears, high humidity remains underneath them, which leads to the accumulation of bacteria, the development of fungus and other infectious diseases.

The owner should be alert to the following symptoms:

the animal is worried during the cleaning procedure, scratches one or both ears, rubs them with its paws;
unpleasant odor from the ear canal;
tilting the head to one side;
yellow, mahogany, or brown discharge from the ears;
rash, redness;
pain on palpation;
hearing impairment.

These or similar symptoms should cause concern to the owner. If you do not seek veterinary help in time and do not start treatment, this can lead to complications including complete hearing loss.

Inflammation of the middle ear, or otitis media, is a disease to which spaniels are more susceptible to dogs of other breeds. The cause may be a bite from a blood-sucking insect, cold water getting into the ear canal, an allergy, or a fungus. Treatment consists of treating the inside with a 2% solution of salicylic alcohol or a 3% alcohol solution of boric acid. For puppies, a more gentle saline solution is used.

For complex treatment, antibiotics or antiseptics are used.

If otitis is of an allergic nature, first of all the allergen is excluded and antihistamines are prescribed.

Sometimes other diseases develop against the background of otitis: tonsillitis, conjunctivitis, rhinitis, fever appears, and the animal loses activity and appetite. In this case, treatment is enhanced with hormonal agents and novocaine blockades.

Ear mites (otodectosis)

10% of ear diseases in dogs of this breed are caused by the Otodectescynotis mite, an insect the size of a pinhead. Parasites live primarily in the ear canals. Ear mites are highly contagious to dogs and other pets, but are harmless to humans.

Treatment is carried out with antiparasitic agents as prescribed by a veterinarian. Therapy will take at least three weeks - as long as the insect's life cycle lasts. During this period, all parasites are destroyed, even those newly hatched from the larvae.

Due to weakened immunity, otodectosis is often accompanied by a complication - a secondary bacterial or fungal infection. In this case, the dog must be prescribed antibiotics and antifungal agents. For severe itching that accompanies this disease, hormonal medications are prescribed.

Foreign body

During the examination, the owner may find seeds or awns of herbs or small insects in the pet's ear. They must be removed using long tweezers. If your dog experiences pain, contact your veterinarian, who will administer short-term anesthesia during the procedure.

Injuries

Spaniels are active dogs, natural hunters and often injure their ears.

It is important to treat even small wounds in a timely manner, otherwise the animal faces inflammation. After an injury, a hematoma may occur between cartilage and skin (on the outer surface) or between cartilage and perichondrium (on the inner surface).

The auricle swells, thickens, and the ear loses its elasticity.

Before opening the hematoma, a tight bandage is applied to the animal’s head for 5-6 days. After the operation, for another 10-12 days, the spaniel will have to apply a healing ointment and bandage the head, wrapping the sore ear around the head.

Otitis in dogs

As we have already said, ear mites can lead to the development of inflammatory processes in the ears, that is, otitis media. However, inflammation of the ear canal can lead to overgrowth of the ear canal. In this case, surgery is required; medications will not help in this case.

Allergic otitis media is another common cause. There are breeds that are more prone to allergies, but it can happen to any dog. In this case, the veterinarian relieves inflammation with antibiotics and prescribes antihistamines.

A tumor in the ear canal is another cause of inflammation. But the list does not end there. The cause of otitis may be a foreign body entering the ear or hormonal imbalance, water entering the ear.

Nail trimming

The cocker spaniel also needs to be taught this procedure from childhood. The claws are cut with veterinary pruning shears at an acute angle. First you need to carefully examine them, find a pulp with a collection of blood vessels. The claw should be trimmed at a distance of 2 mm from its tip.

If you cut too short, you can stop the bleeding with a veterinary pencil or powder. If there are none, sprinkle flour on the wounded finger. If it is missing, wrap your paw with a bandage to stop the bleeding. If it does not stop for more than 5 minutes, take your pet to the veterinarian.

Only trim the nails of dogs that do not wear them down during walks. If you walk with your pet on asphalt, this procedure is not required. If your favorite places are squares or beaches, then cut the nails when they become too long, without waiting for problems with the dog’s health.

Treatment of otitis media

Having noticed the first signs of otitis, you should urgently contact a veterinarian, who will make an accurate diagnosis and prescribe the necessary course of treatment. Otitis can be of various types.

Purulent. Pus flows from the animal’s ears, and in the chronic stage, ulcers and holes appear in the eardrums. For treatment, strong antibiotics are used, and the dog’s ears are also washed with hydrogen peroxide and chlorhexidine.
Chronic. This otitis media is caused by staphylococcal and streptococcal bacteria. Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Escherichia coli can also be causative agents of the disease. Only a veterinarian can accurately determine the dog’s condition and prescribe the necessary treatment. Usually the doctor prescribes a course of strong antibiotics together with compresses of Dexamethasone solution and Otospectrin drops.
Outer. The hair follicle becomes inflamed or the disease is caused by bacterial and fungal infections. It can manifest as eczema, ulcers, itching and inflammation of the ears. Oridermil ointment is usually prescribed for treatment.
Fungal (otomycosis). The inflamed epidermis does not fulfill its protective functions, and the fungus provokes the appearance of a dangerous infection. A lot of wax is released from the ears, accompanied by severe itching. The dog's ears become red, inflamed, swollen, pus appears and there is a foul odor. Phosphoric acid and Gazelan 2% are prescribed for treatment.
Bacterial. This type of otitis media is accompanied by severe itching. It can affect either one ear of the animal or both at once. The ears discharge pus, become very red, and have a foul odor. Surolan drops are usually prescribed for treatment.
Allergic. It may occur as a result of allergies or due to hormonal imbalances. Earwax is released abundantly from the ears, and active proliferation of mycoses is also observed. The dog begins to scratch its ears vigorously, resulting in ulcers and purulent discharge. It is necessary to show the dog to a veterinarian and possibly change the diet by replacing food, which can cause allergic reactions.

Time to clean: how to know when it's time

If dust or a small accumulation of dirt is noticeable on the inner surface, but they are not deep, then you can clean your ears with a cotton pad, which must first be moistened with any ear cleaning lotion. It is especially common to perform the procedure for the spaniel dog breed. The lotion dissolves earwax, helps cotton absorb dirt and dust, and also moisturizes the skin and triggers its natural regeneration processes.

Important! Do not allow lotion to get inside the ear. Excess fluid causes discomfort and can cause fungal diseases.

However, if your pet has alarming symptoms - unpleasant odor from the ears, scratching, discharge, an abundance of earwax, the appearance of pus, etc., you should consult a specialist, because these are clearly unhealthy signs. Often the disease can manifest itself with additional symptoms - fever, chills, whining, howling, loss of appetite, sneezing, redness and swelling of the mucous membranes, refusal to walk and play, lethargy, apathy. In some cases, there is a lack of coordination of movement. The dog may walk in circles, tilt its head towards the affected ear, sometimes squint develops, and hearing acuity decreases.

The cause of the disease can be:

hypothermia, due to which the process of protective sulfur formation is disrupted, muscle regulation of the position of the locator, small vessels and capillaries burst, and the tips of the ears may even be frostbitten;
parasitic diseases;
liquid getting into the ear canal after swimming;
allergy;
hormonal imbalances;
injury both during a walk and during hygiene procedures.

Due to violations of the pet's care, the ear canal begins to secrete a large amount of wax. This is a universal protective reaction to all types of ear irritation: from excessive noise to foreign agents. In this case, the outer part of the ear becomes inflamed, and the outflow of wax into the external environment is disrupted. The ear becomes like a jug with a narrow neck, the liquid in which gradually accumulates, stagnates and becomes a favorable environment for the appearance of bacteria. Bacteria cause suppuration and contribute to undesirable changes in the properties of earwax, which leads to various diseases.

Severe itching in the ear can be caused by a fungus

Among the most common diseases that require ear cleaning are:

infectious diseases;
sulfur plugs;
inflammation;
hematomas;
growths and tumors;
oncology.

Of course, in case of illness, a trip to the veterinarian is inevitable. A qualified doctor will diagnose the dog, develop an effective treatment regimen and give recommendations for cleaning it at home.

Ear scabies

Ear scabies in dogs, or otodecosis, is a common disease that is caused by extremely unpleasant and harmful parasites. They settle on the inner surface of the auricle and in the ear canal. They feed on blood and particles of the epidermis. A few mites caught in a dog's ear cause only minor itching. But the colony grows, the animal begins to shake its head, rub its head against corners, scratch its ears with its claws, tearing them until they bleed. Permanent wounds and ulcers gradually form in the ear area.

The advanced form of this disease leads to damage to the eardrum, meningitis (inflammation of the membranes of the spinal cord and brain) and arachnoiditis (inflammation of the arachnoid and pia mater of the brain). Before treating your pet, you need to make a correct diagnosis. If the problem is only in the ear mite, then it can be dealt with using special drops “Otibiovin”, “Mastiet-Forte”, “Tera-delta”, “Aurikan” or “Otovedin”.

The subtleties of raising a puppy

They begin raising the baby immediately after he appears in the house, choosing a day off for this. If you give him a lot of time to adapt, you may miss the time to stop the wrong behavior. In the first days, you can put a heating pad or a small fur mattress in the bed. Under no circumstances should a puppy be placed in a human bed. The puppy is accustomed to its place from the first day of its stay in the new home.

To do this, pat the litter with your hand and say the word “place.” Along with this, the baby begins to accustom himself to his nickname. This is an important step on the path to training, because first the dog must learn to understand when the owner is addressing him. On the very first day, you can wash the puppy so that he can dry and run around until the evening. Then it is washed no more than once a month.

The owner feeds the puppy, he also walks, pets, communicates and plays when the baby requires attention.

There should be no raising of the voice, as well as shouting, in communication and education. The paws and belly are wiped after each walk and washed if necessary so that dirt from the street does not enter the rooms of the house.

It is especially important for the baby to take care so that he does not feel lonely after separation from his mother dog. Call the puppy by name during games, pet it and talk to it. They buy toys for the baby, play with him, while talking to him and calling him by name. As you understand, you can teach the puppy basic commands, such as “no”, “fu”, “come”. In the first months of life, when pronouncing a command, there should be no unnecessary words and huge tirades: the pet simply will not understand what is required of it.

Along with accustoming him to a nickname, his own place and some simple commands, the owner must regularly carry out hygiene procedures. You should not allow the puppy to walk around dirty in the house; you need to clean its ears, comb its fur, and take care of the condition of its teeth. If you teach your child hygiene from childhood, it will become the norm for him, and therefore he will not be nervous during it.

If during play your pet grabs an object with its teeth, you should not pull it out by force.

At first, a dog living in an apartment building will have to be carried for a walk in your arms. Someone uses a backpack for this, and the puppy quickly understands that he is going for a walk as soon as he sees the backpack in the hands of the owner.

Preparing for ear cleaning

With regular cleaning, over time, a kind of “schedule” will be determined; the owner will know over what period the ears become dirty and will be able to eliminate the problem in a timely manner. If the ears become dirty more often than usual, there is a stench, or the dog is bothered by itching, consult a doctor.

When a dog is undergoing treatment, you should act strictly according to the specialist’s instructions, observing the time, sequence of actions and dose of the prescribed medication.

Everything is important when it comes to medical prescriptions, because not every dog owner is an expert in veterinary medicine

How to clean your ears at home

Experts suggest using:

special lotions - dissolve dirt and earwax. Removed by massaging, with a dry cloth (or by shaking the ears with the dog itself) “SaniPet”, “Trixie”, “Otifree”, “Ear Cleansing Liquid”, “Nutri-Vet”, “Iv San Bernard CLEAN EAR”, “Chris Christensen MYSTIC” EAR”, etc. Using lotion to clean ears
an aqueous solution of chlorhexidine is an effective affordable antiseptic
pharmaceutical or homemade saline solution (1 liter of boiled water + 1 teaspoon of salt) - antimicrobial effect
a weak solution of sea salt - will dry out the skin
a decoction of calendula, lavender, chamomile flowers will refresh and disinfect
green tea - wipe the surface of the ear (prevention of inflammation, irritation)
sanitary napkins for dogs from veterinary pharmacy - specially designed for cleaning ears. Impregnated with a special substance that dissolves dirt deposits and does not irritate the surface of the ear (“Nutri-Vet”, “8in1 Ear Cleansing Pads”, etc.)
special powder for long-eared dogs - dries the inner surface of the ear, improves ventilation, reduces the accumulation of wet dirt (“Espree EAR POWDER”, “Hygienic ear powder 8in1 Excel 3 in 1 Ear Powder (USA)”, etc.)
special oils - used only when there is a large amount of dried dirt that cannot be removed without first softening it
cotton pads - they are safer than cotton swabs, and even in the hands of an inexperienced, zealous dog owner they will not cause harm

What not to use to clean your ears

It is not recommended to use:

alcohol or strong saline solutions dry out and cause irritation
vinegar or hydrogen peroxide - can cause a burn to the mucous membrane if it gets deep into the ear
popular “Bars” drops and similar medications that are not intended for preventive ear cleaning - you need to read the instructions and use only as prescribed by a doctor
paper napkins - for soaking - when moistened they fall apart, pieces may remain in the ear
oil without indications for use - sticks together the villi inside the ear, can cause blockage of the ear canal
soaps and baby lotions - contain additives that are harmful to dogs and can cause an allergic reaction
gauze - threads may remain in the ear
cotton swabs in inexperienced hands can injure the ear and push dirt further

Be careful

When carrying out the procedure, certain precautions should be observed. Full list of things you should never do:

Full list of things you should never do:

hurt the dog
cause discomfort
penetrate deeply into the auricle - clean only where you can see
clean your ears, wipe them daily, rub until they shine - the secretion (sulfur) is released for good reason, it protects the ear canal from dust, dirt, and temperature changes. In its absence, bacteria penetrate inside faster and begin to multiply. Do not rub your dog's ears every day until they shine. Photo: -Yapster-
brushing a resisting dog by force, holding it tightly - guaranteed stress, negative associations, the reaction will take hold and will get even worse in the future. In addition, when there is resistance to cleaning, microtraumas from rubbing are formed, which leads to the active proliferation of pathogenic microorganisms
hunt your pet around the house - he will get overexcited and won’t let you touch his ears
pour alcohol or hydrogen peroxide into the ear - the ear will get burned and dry out
abuse lotions - it is advisable to use them once every 30 days, since they contain salicylic and benzoic acids, which suppress the growth of all bacteria (both beneficial and pathogenic), which leads to the destruction of natural microflora
use expired cleaning products that were not stored according to instructions - some people mistakenly believe that what is no longer forbidden for humans can still be done for dogs

Cleaning products

How and what products can you clean your dog's ears with? One cotton swab is not enough to clean a dog’s ears; it must be moistened with something. What exactly depends on the condition of the animal. Warm water is enough for regular care, but don’t forget about modern products. They have a complex effect: they destroy bacteria, remove unpleasant odors and facilitate the cleaning procedure.

Lotions

A special cleansing lotion is an ideal product for monthly preventative cleaning. It cannot be used more often: lotions kill both harmful and beneficial bacteria, which makes the animal’s ears vulnerable to infections.

The benefit of lotions is that they contain special agents that dissolve dirt and sulfur. It’s enough to drop a couple of drops, lightly massage your ear, and all dirt will be shaken off.

You need to buy such a product at a veterinary pharmacy, having previously inquired about the manufacturer and composition. You may be allergic to low-quality cheap lotions.

It may contain:

boric acid (for disinfection and softening of sulfur),
salicylic acid (anti-inflammatory),
malic acid (dissolves sulfur),
oils (eucalyptus, tea tree), which disinfect and soften the skin,
chamomile extract and aloe vera (regenerating agent).

Important: if it contains alcohol, you should not buy lotion.

There are dozens of lotions for cleaning dogs' ears. The most popular, but also the most expensive product is Otifree, made in France. You will need to pay almost 800 rubles for a bottle. Hartz (USA, 330 rubles), Mr. Bruno (Russia-Switzerland, 150 rubles) and the budget Russian product Bars (100 rubles).

Hydrogen peroxide

Is it possible to clean your ears with something from a human pharmacy - hydrogen peroxide, for example? Cleaning dog ears with 3% hydrogen peroxide, iodine, cologne, vinegar or even vodka belongs to the category of dubious folk recommendations that it is better not to practice on your animal.

Of course, the product will disinfect the ear, but if you make a slight mistake with the dosage, cleaning with peroxide can cause severe burns. In addition, there will be nothing left of beneficial bacteria, and the skin will dry out.

So cleaning your ear with hydrogen peroxide is a bad and dangerous idea!

For comparison: any of the lotions, which are recommended to be used no more than once a month, have a more gentle composition. If there is nothing else at hand, it is better to rinse the auricle with ordinary warm water.

Chlorhexidine

Is it possible to clean ears with chlorhexidine? This solution is suitable for cleaning ears because... it is an excellent antiseptic and disinfectant, suitable for both people and animals. For your dog, you need to choose a chlorhexidine solution that says “For external use.” But this is a medicine that is not used just like that - only for inflammation, uncomplicated otitis, after consulting with a veterinarian.

You can also rinse the ears with a chlorhexidine solution for an adult animal that has been taken from the street. It is important to know that chlorhexidine does not tolerate the presence of anionic groups, soap, or alkalis, since in their presence it is inactivated. This means that you should not wash your ears with shampoo or anything else before using chlorhexidine.

Ear drops

A product that is similar in effect to lotions. In addition to the disinfectant, ear cleaning drops have an antipruritic and therapeutic effect; if there are wounds in the ears, they promote rapid healing.

There is a whole line of drops that fight ticks and heal scratched areas (Aurican, Dekta, Otovedin, Otoferonol Premium). The compositions of drops and lotions are very similar. Popular drops – Bio-Groom (USA, 1000 rubles), Bars (Russia, 100 rubles).

The drug costs 1000 rubles. contains boric acid, salicylic acid and eucalyptus oil. And although the drops are a medicinal drug that should be selected under the guidance of a veterinarian, and they cannot be used constantly, we advise you not to waste money and choose these drops. To some extent, the exception is the drug "Rosinka", developed on the basis of herbs - St. John's wort, calendula and sage. It perfectly cleanses the ear canal, removes inflammation and swelling.

Before using the drops, you need to clear your ears of wax for the product to work. Putting drops into dirty ears is even harmful - the bacteria will gradually get used to the active substance, and it will be more difficult to remove them. You cannot drip cold drops, this will make the animal dizzy. First, warm them in your hands.

Gel

This product has a disinfectant effect, thicker than lotion. Gels appeared on the market not so long ago, and have not yet gained popularity among dog lovers. As a rule, the composition of the drug, created on the basis of water, contains herbal extracts, chlorhexidine, propolis. A definite plus is the absence of alcohol among the ingredients used.

If you choose between gel and lotion as a liquid for cleaning your ears, then it is better to choose the first one. It has fewer contraindications, the gel can be used more often, plus allergies rarely occur to it.

Artero gel based on tea tree oil is popular (Spain, 600 rubles).

Spray

It differs from gels and lotions mainly in the way it is used: it is sprayed rather than dripped into the dog's ear. On the one hand, it is easier, on the other hand, many animals are scared by the sound of the sprayer.

Sprays can be used once a week, which is also an advantage over lotions. You can start getting acquainted with sprays with the drug Auricap (Ukraine, 150 rubles), made on the basis of basil oil.

Powder

The powder is used to quickly clean the ears of healthy dogs. Great for long-eared breeds. It can also be a lifesaver if your pet is actively opposed to cleaning with a cotton swab.

It is enough to pour the powder inside the ear, holding the bottle at a distance of 2.5 cm from the auricle, wait a little and shake it off. Performs bactericidal and anti-inflammatory functions, dries out secretions and removes unpleasant odors.

There are powders that remove ear hairs - but you will need to rub them in with a cotton swab. You can use the powder once a week, but if it was prescribed by a veterinarian as a remedy, then every day.

When buying powder, you need to pay attention to the presence of iodoform in the composition - an antiseptic, it should be there. Bio-Groom Ear-Fresh (USA, 750 rubles), Espree EAR POWDER (USA, 750 rubles) have proven themselves well.

Types of haircuts for puppies girls and boys

English Cocker Spaniels of different sexes are cut differently. For energetic and playful spaniel boys use:

Like a poodle. This is a type of short haircut where the fur on the animal's body is cut short. What remains is a small “cap” on the head and fluffy ears. On the animal's limbs, the fur should be the same length on all sides. So the cocker's paws resemble those of a poodle.
Stripping (hair plucked by hand) with a short “skirt”. The dog's neck, head and body are stripped. On the ears, the hair is shortened with scissors almost to the edge. Small fringes remain on the paws. The haircut on the stomach is quite short, but there is still a certain length left for the “skirt”.

For English spaniel girls, who are calm and more affectionate, other types of haircuts are used:

Trimming (hair is plucked with a special tool) with a long “skirt”. The coat is kept to maximum length underneath throughout the body, and the shoulders and back are trimmed to remove any stray hairs. The silhouette of the dog is correct and beautiful.
Trimming with a medium "skirt". In this version, the “skirt” is shortened by almost half. Exterior features are preserved, and the pet looks well-groomed and tidy.

Pros of small breasts

In fact, if you think about it, you can find a lot of advantages of having small breasts, but I think even if you read these and think about them, you will realize that I am right!

— Small breasts are very convenient!
Well, firstly, nothing bothers me when walking, and it doesn’t shake too much when jumping rope, which I do every day. In the summer, I don’t have all sorts of “troubles” under and around my breasts that often plague size 5 owners, don’t you agree?

— A woman looks younger with small breasts
, doesn’t she? This is especially true after 30 years, when, thanks to only these natural data, you look young and beautiful, approximately a little older than a teenager. You just have to try a little: if you don’t have a great figure and a thin waist, immediately go to the gym and go on a diet (based on your blood type, for example).

— I asked my husband a question about the breasts, and he answered me: “ When I see big breasts, it’s a nursing mother, and that’s all
. Why would I marry you then? When you’re young, everyone’s blood pounds in their temples when they see a really big size, and then their brains fall into place.” ABOUT!!!
— And I also started studying questionnaires and found out that small breasts react faster to caresses and touches
than large ones, well, what else do you need?

- Finally, who was push-up invented for then
? Go out into the world, put on a bra, everything has been lifted and grown literally before your eyes. Here. Is it possible to hide large breasts somewhere? That's what I'm talking about.

Not convinced? And look at the breasts of Milla Jovovich, Natalie Portman, Keira Knightley and others, did that stop them?

How to knit a hat for a dog

The simplest hat for a dog does not require much time or knitting experience.

Step-by-step instruction:

Measure the circumference of the dog's head. Divide the resulting number in half. This will be the width of the product.
Select yarn and pattern for knitting or crocheting.
We knit the sample and calculate the loops as usual.
Cast on the required number of loops and knit a rectangle. Its height is equal to the distance from the dog’s eyebrows to the beginning of ear growth. We received the frontal part of the cap.
Divide the number of loops by 3 and close 1/3 of the loops along the edge on both sides, thereby forming slits for the ears. We knit the middle third with straight fabric until the ears grow. This will be the parietal part.
For the back of the head, we evenly cast on both sides the number of loops slightly less than the original one. We knit a straight fabric to the height of the frontal part. The back of the head will be a little narrower, but this was done specifically to better fit the dog’s head.
Now all that remains is to sew the sides of the wide parts.
We make a fastener or make ties, sew on a pompom, and decorate with taste and imagination.

Your pet will definitely like this hat for a four-legged friend.

Because most of all, dogs value the care and attention of their owner. And for this we are ready to do anything

Cleaning procedure

When returning home from a walk, you need to inspect your pet. Lay him on his side, pet him so that the dog lies calmly, then turn each ear inside out one at a time. If the skin inside is pink, warm, and clean, the examination can be considered complete. To clean dirty ends, wipe them with a soft damp cloth, then comb them.

You need to clean your spaniel's ears according to the following procedure:

the long hair around the ear canal is trimmed. The passage itself is covered with a cotton swab during the haircut to prevent hairs from getting inside;
Excess brown sulfur is removed with a cotton swab or damp cotton pad. For large dogs, it is more convenient to remove wax with a piece of gauze or bandage wrapped around a finger. For severe dirt, you can use a few drops of warm sunflower oil or dog ear lotion. A few drops of the product should be placed into the ear canal, and after 2-3 minutes, wipe dry with a dry cloth;
After cleaning, veterinarians recommend using a special powder that disinfects and dries the ear canal.

If during the examination you notice a tick, you need to carefully remove it using tweezers, unhooking it from the skin with a rotational motion. The bite site is then treated with a disinfectant. Remember that a tick bite can be contagious; to rule out complications, take your pet to the veterinarian.

Use separate cotton swabs, pads, wipes, or swabs for each ear. After treating one ear, it is necessary to change the water or solution with which it was cleaned. This will prevent the transmission of infection.

If your dog shakes or shakes his head, especially after a night's sleep, drop some cleaning lotion into the ear canal. Give a light, gentle massage at the base of the ear. After this, use cotton balls to remove the wax and remaining liquid that has risen from inside. The fibers of wool themselves will raise the sulfur upward, the main thing is to remove the excess from the sink itself.

Regular inspection

We have already mentioned that it is necessary to regularly examine the entire ear cavity. Before this, prepare cotton swabs and disks, warm water. Lay your pet on its side and caress it so that it lies quietly during the procedure. Now turn your ear completely inside out and inspect it carefully.

Since cleaning your dog's ears is not difficult, there is no need to contact the veterinarian every time. We offer you a general scheme, following which you can maintain their ideal condition.

Advantages and disadvantages

Any dog, even a mongrel one, requires care. You will have to put even more effort into keeping a pet with a pedigree. Cocker spaniels are not overly demanding. The advantages of their content:

They are easy to train. They try to please the owner, so they master the commands without any problems.
Cockers are smart. They quickly understand what not to do and what they can get away with.
They love to travel and tolerate driving well. You won’t have to leave your dog with someone close when you need to leave for a few days.
Spaniels are loyal. They will not run away from you during a walk, or do anything that upsets you.
Pets are easy-going. If you punish a dog, it will understand everything, will not take revenge on you, and will forget about the incident within half an hour.

But things are not so easy with these animals. They also have disadvantages:

Gluttony. Cocker spaniels will not refuse another portion of food, even if they have just destroyed a full plate. You will have to make sure that your pet does not overeat and feed it a balanced diet to avoid obesity.
Selfishness. If you raise a dog incorrectly, it will do as it wants, ignore your commands, and start fights with other animals while walking.
Emotionality. Cockers become attached to their owners and do not tolerate loneliness. If you leave your dog alone for a long time, be prepared for damage to furniture, clothing, and anything else your teeth could reach.
A sense of ownership. Cockers are friendly towards children, but if a child takes the treasured toy, war will begin.
Demand for attention. Spaniels need a lot of time. While you are at home, play with the dog, feed it, pet it, scratch it. If you don’t do this, she will get bored and start looking for entertainment for herself, for example, she will try to test the strength of your slippers.

Features of haircuts

The English and American cockers have common patterns:

paws and tail are well brushed, to the maximum length, they are only given shape;
the coat should not be excessively curly, only minimal waviness is acceptable;
The back, head, neck, muzzle and area around the anus are cut short.

But there are certain breed nuances that cannot be ignored.

Features of the American Cocker Spaniel's haircut

Wool is the main advantage of this breed. In the 21st century, the American Cocker Spaniel became a decorative breed. Haircut involves several main points:

Under no circumstances should you shave your back with a machine. This deteriorates the quality of the hair. If there is a downy undercoat on the back, it is combed out with a furminator comb or plucked with rubber fingertips (this is called stripping).
If the coat is too thick, then the excess volume is removed with thinning scissors.
Ideally, the skirt should extend to the floor. If there is not enough fur (usually young or elderly animals, recently whelped bitches have not enough fur), then you need to make sure that the boundaries of the transitions are smooth.
On the neck, muzzle, and upper third of the ears, short stubs 1 mm long are left.

An American's first hairstyle is created at 2-3 months, after which hygienic styling is done once every 3-4 weeks, and about once a quarter the American Cocker Spaniel is given a full grooming. An experienced specialist knows better how to cut an American Cocker Spaniel's hair, but if the owner has the desire and the tools, he can also cope with this task.

Features of the English Cocker Spaniel's haircut

The coat of this breed is not the main source of pride, so grooming an English Cocker Spaniel is aimed rather at emphasizing the dog’s appearance and hiding flaws. Main differences from an American haircut:

The head and muzzle are always smooth to highlight the beautiful contours. The hair is shaved with a clipper against the growth direction.
A triangle is left on the chest, and the feathering on the front legs should only be on the back.
The upper thighs are trimmed and the hocks are clipped short.

Otherwise, the haircut styles are not very different and are almost identical for the two sister breeds.

Structural features

The spaniel's long, flat ears protect the ear canal from dirt, dust, and foreign objects. But this structure contributes to excessive accumulation of sulfur, which often leads to the development of inflammation. Long hair blocks air access and retains moisture.

The spaniel gets its ears very dirty when eating, walking or hunting. The dog runs with its nose low to the ground, looking for smells. To prevent the tips of the ears from dragging, collecting dirt, bacteria and germs, it is better to fix them above the head. To do this, you can use a hair elastic, a soft clip, or a piece of nylon stockings.

Active games with the dog can also help with ventilation. Then the ears, like flags, will flutter high above the dog’s head.

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What types of haircuts are there?

Cockers get two types of haircuts. It depends on whether the spaniel participates in exhibitions and shows. If the owner does not intend to take the pet to competitions, then a hygiene procedure that can be carried out independently will be sufficient.

Hygienic

It is based on the removal of excess hair, which gives the animal a more well-groomed appearance. Typically, a hygienic or partial haircut of a cocker spaniel consists of several stages:

The hair inside the ears is shortened, the hair on the paws is trimmed between the toes.
Excess hair is removed from the belly, groin and under the tail.
At the end of the procedure, the spaniel is thoroughly combed so that no mats of wool remain.

The procedure is quite simple and can be done by the owner himself, if he is not new to the art of dog grooming.

Exhibition

For the exhibition (full) procedure the following steps are required:

Use a brush to completely comb the animal.
Run a fine-toothed comb over the body.
Comb long hair with a wide-tooth comb.
Trim your pet's back and sides.
Trim your ears inside and out with a clipper.
Remove hair from between toes using round scissors.
Bathe your pet, dry it and comb it.

Exhibition grooming of a cocker spaniel depends on the dog's belonging to a particular species. For each of them there are certain standards that the pet must meet.

Russian cocker spaniel

The Russian Cocker Spaniel is used not only as a domestic dog, but also as a hunting assistant. Therefore, his appearance must be both beautiful and reasonable.

The main requirement for the appearance of a Russian Spaniel is maximum naturalness without a hint of artificial interference with natural attractiveness. Therefore, such a dog is cut only in the groin area and under the tail. Use scissors to remove stray hairs on the tail without changing its length. The fluff is plucked out. Brush the cocker with a fine-toothed comb until the coat becomes straight.

The haircut is usually carried out 2-3 weeks before the exhibition, so that the groomer’s efforts are not so noticeable and the spaniel’s score is not lowered.

American Cocker Spaniel

The American Cocker, unlike the Russian, plays the role of a companion and decorative pet. This breed has not been involved in hunting for a long time. “American” haircuts are somewhat different:

The head, neck, chin, eyebrows are cut short with a clipper.
The silky, soft fur on the back is not touched, but only combed so that it fits snugly to the body.
The fluffy hair on the paws and lower part of the body fits into a kind of “skirt”, the lower edge of which should be smooth.
The density of the wool is removed by thinning.
The transition from the back to the “skirt” should be smooth and unnoticeable.
A sparse comb is used for combing.

All lines of the American Show Cocker Spaniel's silhouette should be natural. Only in this case is success at the competition guaranteed.

English cocker spaniel

The English Cocker Spaniel's haircut is also characterized by certain nuances:

The head is short-cropped, without bangs. It is performed using a machine in the direction from the forehead to the nose against the hair.
The ears should be teardrop shaped.
A triangle of long hair remains on the chest of the English cocker.
The top of the back along the spine is plucked.
Long hair remains on the sides.
The front legs are short-haired in front and on the sides, and long-haired in the back.
The hind legs of the English Cocker are cut only from below to the joint, and the length is left on top of the hips.

Marks after the main haircut must be smoothed out. A show English Spaniel should look elegant and stylish.

Basic facts about the breed

The progenitor of the English Cocker Spaniel, the dog Obo, came to our countries from Spain. Thick and black hair, extraordinary endurance and curiosity, developed hunting instincts - these are the wonderful qualities that the spaniel has inherited to this day. The breed was obtained by crossing 2 centuries ago, however, it received international recognition only in 1970.

Characteristic and distinctive features of the English cocker:

The size is medium (at the withers up to 41 cm, weight up to 15 kg), the muscles and joint apparatus are well developed.
The body is folded correctly, the back is flexible, the legs are strong and muscular.
The head is set beautifully, the skull is smooth with an elongated muzzle. The neck is strong and of moderate length.
The dog has a large nose, flat eyes with brown or hazel irises.
The spaniel's ears are long and drooping, set below the level of the back of the head. The shape resembles blades.
The tail is set below the level of the back and is well mobile.
The dog's movements are correct, confident and slightly sweeping.

Special attention should be paid to the wool, thanks to which the breed is loved by many breeders around the world. Nature has endowed the English Cocker with soft and delicate wool, reminiscent of silk in tactile sensations. According to the standard, the coat is straight (sometimes a little curly) and has a good shine. Closer to the belly it forms a thick skirt, requiring careful care and grooming. The paws have dense feathering resembling a fringe.

Modern spaniels have received 2 purposes: a show dog (including for breeding) and a hunting dog, the requirements for which may differ slightly.

Cockers owe their beauty and grace to their well-developed coat. High-quality wool requires no less high-quality care, the origins of which are regular combing and competent grooming of the English Cocker Spaniel. Unlike the American Cocker Spaniel, his coat is less rich, but also requires high-quality care.

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So, the spaniel's coat is thick with a moderately developed undercoat, so shedding is the main problem of the breed. The cocker's hair sheds regularly, so trim it several times a week to remove dead hair. We recommend that you strictly follow all the rules for feeding your Cocker Spaniel, then his coat will be less susceptible to loss.

Comb 1-2 times a week to prevent the appearance of tangles and curls. Use a wide comb to separate tufts of fur, as well as a slicker brush to remove dead undercoat and gradually comb out the puppy's fur.

The colors of the English Cocker Spaniel can be different, but this does not affect the rules of coat care. Regular grooming is recommended for dogs of this breed. Grooming and trimming of the English Cocker Spaniel is performed once every 1-2 months, depending on the degree of overgrowth of the coat.

It is necessary to accustom a cocker to grooming during puppyhood. Carry out the entire range of procedures (even if caring for your English Cocker Spaniel initially takes you no more than 30 minutes), teach it to hygienic haircuts and bathing.

You should also teach your little spaniel to stand still for 2-3 hours (this is how long complex grooming takes on average).

And now about how to cut an English Cocker Spaniel. The cocker breed's haircut is done in a natural style, taking into account individual proportions and hygienic nuances. Haircut your head and body with a special clipper with good power. You will need nozzles of 10 (head) and 15 (torso) mm.

What tools and supplies do you need to purchase to care for your English Cocker Spaniel?

Comb with short and frequent metal teeth (slicker).
Comb with sparse and long teeth.
Massage brush.
Brush with soft natural bristles for grooming your puppy's coat.
Professional scissors for haircuts (simple and thinning).
Hair clipper with 4 attachments.
Cosmetic products for hair care: shampoo (simple and medicinal for seborrhea), mask or conditioner, spray to facilitate combing.

Tail docking

In this section, it is important to highlight the eternal dilemma of owners: whether or not to dock the tail of an English Spaniel. Of course, responsibility for the decision and the procedure itself rests with the owner; we can only give some advice.

If you are raising a hunting spaniel, then docking can be considered a desirable procedure, since the dog often cuts its tail on sedge and thorny grasses.

If the spaniel was purchased as a show dog, then you need to take into account the fashion trends for tails and the opinion of dog handlers and judges in various countries. Tail docking is currently being cancelled.

Be sure to leave your pet Cocker his playful tail, which was given by nature for a reason. Sometimes docking the tail of an English Cocker Spaniel is dictated by necessity (rotting wounds, severe burns, fractures and other tail injuries).

If you often walk with your English Cocker Spaniel on asphalt, paving stones and rough ground, then the claws grind down on their own and do not cause any worries to the owner. But still, it is necessary to have a high-quality nail clipper in the house (selected taking into account the size of the dog and the strength of the claw). Sometimes your pet's claw may split or break. Or you will have to shorten it on the fifth finger, which does not reach the ground.

Remove the length carefully so as not to damage the blood vessel in any way. Be sure to sand sharp edges with a nail file. Do not allow the nails to grow or curl, otherwise this may cause injury to the paws.

Dental care involves removing soft yellow plaque and hard tartar. Even if you feed your English Cocker Spaniel dry food and regularly buy treats (sinews, ears, dry-cured sausages, etc.), over time the stone will still grow and can lead to tooth decay and an unpleasant odor from the mouth.

Teeth are cleaned using 2 types of brushes: a standard one with soft bristles (can be purchased as a finger attachment) and a massage brush with rubber bristles. Apply a special toothpaste for dogs to a regular brush and use a top-down motion to remove plaque and tartar from the teeth. It's okay if your pet licks the paste - that's what it's designed for.

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Unfortunately, a regular brush is not effective enough to care for teeth, so over the course of several months or years, a hard, dark tartar begins to form on the dog, which cannot be removed with home mechanical cleaning.

In this case, a modern procedure for stone cleansing using ultrasound will come in handy - painlessly, quickly (up to 20 minutes) and effectively.

Caring for the cute long ears of the English Cocker Spaniel must be carried out competently and in a timely manner, since inflammation of the middle ear is the second scourge of this breed. Due to the tight fit and thick coat, the ears are poorly ventilated and retain moisture well after bathing. All these factors create an ideal environment for the development of bacteria and fungi.

Before bathing procedures or swimming in ponds, close the ear canal with cotton swabs soaked in vegetable oil. If water does get into your ear, carefully dry it with a napkin wrapped around your little finger.

Inspect your ears regularly and identify wax plugs in a timely manner. It is also advisable to pluck out the hairs growing inside the ear with tweezers.

Be attentive to your spaniel's behavior. If your pet rubs its ears, scratches them with its paw, shakes its head, or a squelching sound is heard inside the ear, an unpleasant odor or dark plugs appear, immediately show it to the veterinarian.

The main rule is to accustom your baby to basic procedures as quickly and painlessly as possible. Before any manipulation, let the puppy sniff the tool or device and play with it, so that in the future the procedure does not cause unpleasant emotions and expectations.

Be sure to pay serious attention to your puppy's initial training. The first combing of the coat, cutting, trimming and cleaning should be done in a playful manner and for no more than 5 minutes, otherwise the English Cocker Spaniel puppy, the care and maintenance of which we are discussing, will simply get tired. Please note that a spaniel puppy is playful and restless until about six months old, so getting him to quietly withstand full trimming will not be easy.

Comb using a massage brush with natural soft bristles. Gently run the comb from the head towards the tail. Brush delicate ears and paws carefully.

If the first tangles or matted fur have already been detected, then carefully sort it out with your fingers and then comb it with a metal comb. Try not to pull the fur during the procedure. For good behavior, be sure to praise and give a treat.

It is very important what first impressions the little English Cocker Spaniel gets from all these procedures. The haircut (photo above) is carried out using safety scissors (rounded ends). Do not torture your puppy with prolonged grooming for several hours - the puppy does not need this. A careful hygienic haircut is enough: cut the area around the paws and ears, straighten the length, remove hair from the genital area.

Before trimming his nails, make sure that the puppy calmly allows you to hold his paw and does not experience discomfort. Trim any loose fur first to prevent seeds, grass, twigs and other debris from sticking to it. Also, the hair growing in the paw pad is removed to its level. The spaces between the fingers should not be trimmed.

Next, take the puppy's paw and carefully release one claw at a time for trimming. Constantly praise, reassure your pet, and hand him his favorite treat at the end of the procedure.

Due to its developed metabolism, a puppy may experience discharge from the eyes. Clean them carefully with a damp cloth (without alcohol) every day. Each eye has its own napkin.

When should your dog's ears be cleaned?

Experts recommend regularly examining your pet's ears to avoid any unpleasant surprises in the form of inflammation, otodectosis (ear mites) or a fungal infection. It is clear that prevention is easier and cheaper than treatment.

It is advisable to examine lop-eared and long-haired dogs every other day, straight-eared and short-haired dogs - 1-2 times a week.

Fold-eared breeds often require ear inspection. Photo: Nik Stanbridge

Some doctors talk about daily inspection of “problematic” shells and monitoring the growth of hair inside the ear. Lost and dead hairs can lead to blockage of the ear canal. This can be easily prevented by removing them with pinching movements of your fingers - the dog will be ticklish, but not painful.

It is important to pay attention to changes in the behavior of your four-legged friend. If the dog whines, growls when trying to touch the ears, shakes its head, tilts it to the side, or scratches behind the ears with its paws, an unscheduled examination is needed.

If during inspection you find:

skin redness
bad smell
brown discharge
scratching behind the ears,

then you have a direct route to the vet.

Your doctor will determine the cause of your dog's ear problems.

The doctor will examine the pet, make an accurate diagnosis and prescribe a course of treatment in accordance with the disease, weight, and condition of the animal. Self-medication or ignoring the problem is fraught with the development of inflammation, including hearing loss or death.

How often?

How often you should clean your ears is not a simple question and there is no clear answer.
The time between ear cleanings varies for different breeds. There are dogs that need to have their ears cleaned daily, while for others it is a rare, more preventative procedure. As in any matter, you need to know when to stop: if you clean an animal’s ears too often, you can destroy the natural protective microflora, and this is fraught with disease. The dog needs sebum and even a little sulfur to protect it from the outside world: temperature changes, dust. How often you need to clean your ears will depend on:

Ear lengths and shapes. The short standing ears are well ventilated and there is little dirt in them. But long, hanging ears, for example, like those of a basset hound, are not only a source of pride for the owner, but also an excellent “dust and dirt collector.” They sweat faster and dirt, sebum and wax quickly accumulate in them. Mites also often live on long ears.

So that your ears don't get dirty!

Wool lengths. The longer it is, the more frequent and thorough ear care is needed. Some, for example, a Yorkshire Terrier or a Chinese Crested, will also have to pluck the hairs in their ears - they will fall off in the ear canal and interfere with hearing and normal ventilation. This procedure is painless, but a little ticklish.
How often the dog goes out for walks. There is no place for your pet's ears to get especially dirty, and you can limit yourself to cleaning as natural contamination occurs - once a week or two.
The age of the dog. The older the pet, the more careful and regular care it requires. How often should you clean your puppy’s ears? In fact, a puppy under 1 year of age may not need serious cleaning at all, but they need to be taught a list of grooming procedures. Even without direct need, you need to arrange regular procedures with your baby: run a comb over the body, touch the teeth, belly, examine the ears, claws.

Every day you need to examine your pet's ears, regardless of breed. The auricle should be pink, warm and clean. The presence of an unpleasant odor or a squelching sound should alert you: this indicates an infection in the ear canal. In this case, it is better not to clean it yourself, but to contact a veterinarian.

The pet itself will indicate problems: it will begin to scratch its ear more often, and will squeal when trying to touch it. But it’s not worth starting before that.

Tip: to understand whether it’s time to clean your ears, do a simple test. You need to moisten a cotton swab in water and gently rub the ear canal. A gray or yellowish coating formed on the stick indicates that so far everything is in order. But if a piece of sulfur comes out along with the stick, it’s time to carry out the procedure.

Boykin

The head of dogs is slightly elongated. The muzzle is wide. Wavy hair grows on the long, high-set ears.

The coat covers the body in waves. It has water repellency. The breed is characterized by one color - brown with various shades. The standard allows a white spot on the chest and white toe-shaped paws. Depending on the length of the coat, two types are distinguished: long-haired and short-haired.

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Cleaning technique

Speaking about how to clean the ears of a spaniel, it must be emphasized that it is the anatomical features of the breed that give rise to some difficulties. For example, owners of a Rottweiler or a German Shepherd may never know what this procedure means in their entire lives. It is the long ears of short-legged dogs that are the most problematic. However, everything is not so difficult, and with a little practice, you will easily perform all hygiene procedures.

Caring for your spaniel's ears requires regularity, so first of all you need to teach your pet that this is necessary. Do not catch the animal on purpose; it is better to time this procedure to coincide with moments of affection. When the dog is lying quietly, open the sink and inspect.
While cleaning, you need to talk to your pet and praise him. This is extremely important to make it easier for you to proceed with the examination in the future, and for this you need to associate hygiene with positive emotions.
First of all, wet the wet disc and rub it several times along the inner surface. Now you can close your ear and perform a massage. With light movements you will knead your ear, and all dirt and wax will easily dissolve.
Now you can start cleaning the sink. Wax is usually easily removed with a cotton pad. You can restore order inside the bends using a cotton swab. Usually dogs tolerate massage very well, moreover, it brings them a lot of pleasure.
If the dog is large, then there is no point in using ear sticks. Just wrap your finger in a strip of gauze, soak it in a special lotion and clean the sink. Remaining dirt can be removed using a special disc.