Skip to content

Those Basenji ears?!?

Basenji Health Issues & Questions
  • So I noticed that Dallas has some ear wax buildup in both of his ears. I read in the Basenji book that I bought that this occurs obviously because their ears are upright & thus easy for dirt to get in. It says to simply grab a q-tip & clean them as you would your own.

    HAHAHA

    Not with my basenji! Dallas would not stay atill no matter how many treats/peanutbutter/bully sticks I tried to bribe him with. I think he doesn't like the sound inside his ear or something.

    So, how do you all clean your Bs ears?!? I have tried holding him down but he goes CRAZY! I have battle marks from trying to clean out this pups ears! lol Any suggestions would be great! :)

  • Start by just lightly rubbing his ears, like when he is asleep in you lap… and only the inside of the upright part, continue to practice this when he is awake to get him used to your fingers being in his ears... then slowly work your way down. Use a tissue or gauze pad on your finger instead of a q-tip. This is NOT going to happen overnight... you should be conditioning your pup to have all parts of his body handled... legs, feet, tail, ears, teeth (especially teeth and looking in his mouth).. everything..

    And it seems that it is only puppies that seem to get this waxing build up.. once past teething it stops. I have never had an adult that had problems or if I did, it was once an a blue moon.

  • @tanza:

    I have never had an adult that had problems or if I did, it was once an a blue moon.

    I have - Alex's ears get quite a bit of wax build-up. I have to clean them every couple months with cotton balls and peroxide. He doesn't seem to mind though.

  • @Craigh:

    I have - Alex's ears get quite a bit of wax build-up. I have to clean them every couple months with cotton balls and peroxide. He doesn't seem to mind though.

    Maybe he wouldn't mind a cotton ball as much? I put my finger in his ear & he didn't mind that. However, everytime I use a Q-tip he squirms like crazy & then runs. I'll try a cotten ball…

  • That sounds like my dog, but I still use the q-tip. I just have to wait until he's tired and then he doesn't mind as much, but it works better than the ball.

  • I use the little round cotton cosmetic pads and sort of massage the ear with them; they dogs think they're just being pampered, LOL.

  • I don't see the wax because Sugar loves to clean everyone in the house!

  • Our red girl dog has the same problem. Freaks out when you touch her ears with a swab, but loves the inside of her ears rubbed when petting her. You know the two handed ear & cheek rub.

    That gave me an idea!. I found some real soft white - tight gardening gloves (unused), gave her an ear massage and cleaned her ears out. it worked well. I was extra careful not to push the dirt down her ears, but did kind of a wiping motion out and away from her inner ears. She loved it!

Suggested Topics

  • Ear infection?

    Basenji Health Issues & Questions
    13
    0 Votes
    13 Posts
    5k Views
    DexterDexD
    Thanks, that's good to know! :) And Dex sends his thanks for your get well soon wishes.
  • Basenji dental

    Basenji Health Issues & Questions
    37
    0 Votes
    37 Posts
    15k Views
    DebraDownSouthD
    @tanza: LOL …. so hmm... great weather = higher Vet costs... makes perfect sense to me!!! LOL great weather equals more want to live there. More want to live there, drives real estate costs up. Increased real estate costs drives other expenses up. LOL, it does make some sense. But then, wth is up with NYC which has icky weather? Oh wait, massive overcrowding, never mind.
  • My basenji

    Basenji Health Issues & Questions
    10
    0 Votes
    10 Posts
    2k Views
    nobarkusN
    @snorky998: Were you thinking of Vestibular syndrome, Dan? http://www.basenjiforums.com/showthread.php?t=8577&highlight=vestibular+syndrome That's it Snorky!! :D
  • Ear Rash. Dog Ear Vasculitis

    Basenji Health Issues & Questions
    6
    1 Votes
    6 Posts
    7k Views
    elbrantE
    @obi1 said in Ear Rash. Dog Ear Vasculitis: Do you know of better ear muffs? Obi, I saw a funny looking knitted cap that might fit over Basenji sized ears on etsy.com. I think it would help prevent the ear edges and tips from becoming frostbitten. The shop seems to focus on Cats, but the owner appears to be willing to do special orders. Worth a try....
  • Who has the largest Basenji

    Basenji Health Issues & Questions
    63
    0 Votes
    63 Posts
    37k Views
    BasenjimammaB
    Thank you so much for the encouraging words. We have been running him with our other dogs in our yard, we have about half acre or so, and he is fast..He loves it, just don't think he is used to out heat yet, it is already about 85+ degrees and very humid…I think he looks good, he is definitely babychunky, not fat, but what I envision a puppy looking like before he grows into his own body. We will keep up with what we have done so far and see what he turns out like...can't be bad, just beautiful.. Basenjimamma
  • Sick Basenji

    Basenji Health Issues & Questions
    9
    0 Votes
    9 Posts
    4k Views
    B
    An update on Ben's condition. He had his teeth cleaned this morning and the vet had to remove several teeth. A large tooth in the back of the mouth had a cavity that went all the way to the root. He never lost his appetite during the whole ordeal or seemed to have any sensetivity of his mouth. I hope this is the end of the suffering he was going through. He was a rescue dog so we don't have the previous owners records as to dental care he had in the past. You can be sure he will be monitored from here on out for any sign of tooth decay or tarter build up. Thanks to everyone who replyed to my inquiry on Basenji health.