How to keep ears from smelling?

**lucidity** · 18th November 2011, 04:15 PM

Lyra's ears smell pretty bad most of the time--the only time it doesn't smell is when I've just cleaned it with ear cleaner solution and maybe the day after. I clean her ears every time she has a bath, which is weekly. I'm wondering if you guys have any tips to keep her ears from smelling? Would it help if I clip her ears up on her head a couple of hours every day to let them sort of "air out"? I don't want to use the ear cleaner too often because the instructions on the bottle says to just use once a week at most.

The weather here is hot and humid, and right now it's rainy too, so I think the damp air and her ears getting wet from walks etc. is contributing to the smell. Any ideas?

**MadPip** · 18th November 2011, 04:55 PM

In my experience smelly ears = infection or ear mites.

I would suggest you get her ears checked out at the vets, it may be she needs some antibiotic/ antifungal/anti-mite ear drops to clear something up.

Good luck

**Kate H** · 18th November 2011, 08:54 PM

I would agree with checking with the vet. But you can also help by trimming her ears so that they are not so heavy, and trimming the inside hair around the opening - the important thing is to get air into the ears (plenty of running in fresh air!), because the weight of Cavalier ears tends to keep the inner ear moist and warm - ideal home for mites.

Kate, Oliver and Aled

**Sydneys Mom** · 18th November 2011, 11:11 PM

Smelly ears always signaled an ear infection for Sydney. I agree with the others, a trip to the vet is in order to make sure what is it. Also is Lyra shaking her head more often or scratching her ears. That too can signal an infection, or pain. A piece of debris could be stuck that the vet will be able to see.

Prevention of ear infections is a good idea. Like Kate said, keeping the ears dry and trimmed on the inside is important.

**Sabby** · 18th November 2011, 11:27 PM

My Rosie’s ears always smell but there is nothing wrong with them. I get the groomer to keep her ears trimmed on the inside and I clean them once a week.
Just to be on the safe side I would have them checked by the vet.

**Reptigirl** · 18th November 2011, 11:36 PM

I would have them checked out by a vet. Smelly ears are typically related to infections. Try to keep the ears as dry as possible. I trim the hair inside the ears. I quite using over the counter ear washes. The stuff my vet recommended works wonders. You can buy it off Amazon & Ebay cheaper then the vet clinic. It's called Epi-Otic Ear Cleaner. We use it once a week unless they get wet. I always use it after a bath or after they come in from the rain.