Plucking Ear Hair Mrs. Salvati

Dogs with hair in ear canal Dogs with long, curly, and sometimes wire coats can have hair that grows in ear canal. If this hair is not removed it can cause dirt, wax and bacteria to build up in ear canal and cause an infection

Anatomy Ear Flap – Pinna Vertical Canal Horizontal Canal Ear drum – end of horizontal canal

Healthy Ear Outside has fur Inside pink healthy color Some black/brown dirt is normal

Ear Problems Hair in ear canal Ear Mites Parasites in ear Ear Infections Caused by pathogens

Materials needed Ear powder –dries out ear canal And makes hair easier to grab Hemostats

Steps Have materials ready Pet animal, observe body language as you touch ear Evaluate inside of ear Apply tiny pinch of powder to each ear Pinch hair inside canal and pull out gently in an upward twirling motion Continue until you can see into tip of vertical canal Clean ear and repeat on other ear Clean up after yourself

Using hemostats If fingers can not reach in far enough to grab fur use hemostats Open hemostats slightly. Place in tip of vertical canal and close on small amount of hair Close and lock hemostats Pull up and in a twirling motion until hair comes out

Safety Only pull hair that is inside ear canal Ears are very sensitive, especially If infected. Observe body language Wash hands after

Name: _____________________ What is the ear flap known as? ____________________________ What does a healthy ear look like? _________________________ _________________________________________________________ What coat types have hair that grows inside ear canal? _____________________________________________________ What materials do you need to pluck ear hair? _______________________________________________________ When should you use hemostats? ______________________ __________________________________________________________