To remove dirt and debris from your Rottweiler’s ears, use an ear-cleaning product specifically designed for dogs. Place a few drops of cleaner into the dog’s ear canal and then gently massage the base of the ear for about 30 seconds. This helps to soften and loosen the debris. At this point, it is okay to let your Rottweiler have a good head shake to eject the cleaning solution and debris from the ear canal.
Next, apply some ear-cleaning solution onto a clean cotton or gauze pad. Gently wipe the inside ear leather (ear flap), and the part of the ear canal that you can see.
Remember the old saying, “Never stick anything smaller than your elbow in your ear”? The same concept applies to dogs. Never stic cotton applicator swabs or pointed objects into the ear canal, because this tends to pack the debris rather than remove it. More important, you risk injuring your dog’s eardrum should you probe too deeply.
If you suspect problems, seek veterinary attention right away and leave the probing to the experts.
Preventing Ear Problems
A Rottweiler’s ear canal is warm, dark, and moist, and that makes it an ideal site for bacterial or yeast infections, tumors, and parasites, such as ear mites. Unlike a human’s ear canal, which is a basically a horizontal line from the side of the head inward to the eardrum, a dog’s ear canal is somewhat L-shaped.
The internal ear canal descends vertically before making roughly a 45-degree bend and then a horizontal jaunt to the eardrum—also known as the tympanic membrane. Debris loves to collect in the 45-degree bend of the ear canal.
The key to preventing ear problems in Rottweilers is to keep the ears clean, and to know the difference between a clean-smelling ear and a problem ear. A healthy ear should have a clean, healthy doggy smell—resembling the smell of beeswax, somewhat. A honey-colored wax in the ear is normal, but a crusty, dark substance may indicate problems, such as ear mites.
An infected ear has an unmistakable foul odor. Ear infections are serious and should never be ignored or taken lightly. If your Rottweiler’s ears have a discharge; smell bad; the canals look abnormal, red, or inflamed; or your dog is showing signs of discomfort, such as depression or irritability, scratching or rubbing his ears or head, shaking his head or tilting it to one side—these can be signs of a problem. You should seek veterinary attention right away. An ear infection left untreated can cause permanent damage to a dog’s hearing.
To help prevent problems, you should get in the habit of examining your Rottweiler’s ears regularly for wax, ear mites, and other irritations. If your Rottweiler walks or plays in pastures, fields, or areas with heavy underbrush—check them frequently for stickers, burrs, and other foreign matter.
Infection of the Eye
A Rottweiler’s eyes should be clear and bright, and can easily be cleaned by saturating a gauze pad with warm water.
Starting at the inside corner of the eye, gently wipe out toward the outside corner of the eye. If you notice excessive tearing, redness, swelling, discoloration, or discharge, these may be signs of an infection. If you suspect something is wrong, do not hesitate to call your veterinarian.