Clean Your Dog's Brown Ear Muck: Easy Steps Inside!

The brown, muddy substance found in a dog's ears is typically accumulated earwax, also known as cerumen, commonly referred to as earwax. Cerumen is a natural secretion produced by ceruminous glands in the outer ear canal's cartilaginous skin. It is usually light yellow and can turn gray or brownish when mixed with dust, blood, or other substances.

Naturally occurring earwax serves to protect the ears by preventing excessive dust or foreign objects from entering the ear canal. However, an excessive buildup of earwax can create a breeding ground for ear mites, bacteria, and fungi, potentially affecting the health of the ear canal.

What Could Brown Muddy Debris in the Ear Indicate?

• Normal earwax accumulation: While a small amount of earwax is normal, excessive buildup can lead to bacterial growth and requires prompt cleaning.

• Malassezia infection: This fungus can cause a large amount of brownish earwax that is greasy to the touch and has a foul, acidic smell. It may also be accompanied by itching, redness, swelling, and pain in the ear canal.

• Ear mites: Dogs with ear mites may exhibit a significant amount of brown or black earwax that is dry in texture, along with varying degrees of odor and intense itching.

How to Clean Thoroughly?

When you notice brown, muddy discharge in your dog's ears, start by using a petspecific ear cleaning solution to wash it out. Observe the ears for 2 to 3 days after cleaning.

Here are the cleaning steps:

1. Keep your dog still, then gently drop a sufficient amount of Erfenfen (Pet Ear Care Solution) into the ear canal. This gentle yet effective solution is suitable for daily ear care in dogs and can also be used as a pretreatment cleaner for ear mites and infections.

2. Gently massage your dog's ears to distribute the solution evenly and soften the earwax thoroughly.

3. After 1 to 2 minutes, release your dog, allowing it to shake out any excess solution and earwax. Then, use a pair of tweezers and a medical cotton ball to wipe the ears clean.

If your dog's ears show a recurrence of large amounts of brown discharge, it indicates that it's not just earwax but possibly an ear mite or Malassezia infection, and immediate treatment is needed.

1. Ear mites:

(1) Use Erfenfen to clean the earwax daily for 7 to 10 days, then adjust to once or twice a week for 21 to 28 days from the first day of treatment.

(2) After cleaning, apply Xin'erling (Bifungal Soft Gel) to kill ear mites and relieve itching.

(3) Administer Dipai (Pyriproxyfen Moxidectin Drops) to your dog for deworming once a month to prevent recurring ear mites.

2. Malassezia infection:

(1) Similarly, use Erfenfen to clean the ear discharge daily.

(2) After cleaning, apply antifungal ointments such as ketoconazole, miconazole, or clotrimazole once or twice a day until symptoms disappear, then continue for an additional 2 to 3 days. If topical medications are ineffective, oral itraconazole can be taken at a dose of 5 to 10 mg/kg once a day for 7 days.

(3) Give your dog Shiweibi (Vitamin B Complex Solution) to boost immunity and promote the repair of skin and mucous membranes.

Ear mites and Malassezia infections often cause itching. If you notice your dog scratching or shaking its head, consider using an Elizabethan collar to prevent ear damage and worsening infections.