Ear Cleaning

[DreamerRose]

Do you clean your cat's ears? My cat has an excessive amount of ear wax in his right ear. Six months ago, the vet got some of it out during a visit, but wanted to do another cleaning under sedation for $250. I'm balking at the amount. I've seen several OTC liquids at the pet store to soften ear wax. Have you ever used them? How do you go about it?

 

[cinqchats]

WOW that must be a LOT of earwax! Yes, Mr Squiggles has one ear that needs routine cleaning because of his allergies. (Only the one ear, I don't know why.) I try and clean it out every week or every other. I have a salicylic acid-based cleanser from the vet that you squirt in their ears, let rest and massage for a bit, then wipe out with cotton balls or Qtips. Be cautious with Qtips and ask your vet to demonstrate if you go that route. 

My procedure is- squirt a little cleanser in there. Massage the base of his ear and snuggle for a minute or so. Watch out because they'll shake their heads and spray the cleanser EVERYWHERE. Then I take a  Qtip (like the vet showed me) and clean out the gunk. It sometimes takes a few Qtips to get it all. Done.

 

[DreamerRose]

Yes, it is a lot of ear wax. The vet said she got a huge hunk of out, but still wanted to do the sedation.

The part that gets me is "let it rest." Mingo is going to shake it out before I can wipe. Any suggestions as to how to hold him still?

 

[cinqchats]

Hugs. Or the kitty burrito (wrap him up in a towel). The ear cleaning solution is cheap, if Squee shakes it out I squeeze some more in. Only takes a couple drops. 

 

[DreamerRose]

Thanks, I will try that today. Last night, while playing, the ear got knocked or something, and for some time he was shaking it and kept it at half-mast. It's really bothering him.