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

  • Sick Basenji

    Basenji Health Issues & Questions
    3
    0 Votes
    3 Posts
    3k Views
    DebraDownSouthD
    I agree with Buddys Pal… if they didn't do either urinalysis or xray, I'd get them done. If you have a sick dog and the vet just sort of says "oh well, blood work looks okay".. may be time for a new vet. Something is obviously wrong.
  • Carsick Basenji

    Basenji Health Issues & Questions
    4
    0 Votes
    4 Posts
    2k Views
    eeeefarmE
    My first girl got carsick. I used Dramamine (Gravol) for her. Luckily she outgrew the problem, because every time I had to pill her the neighbours thought I was killing her. She screamed her head off! (and of course spit out the pill). She did best riding loose in the back seat. That was in the '60s, and we didn't worry about such things…...
  • Is it a Basenji???

    Basenji Health Issues & Questions
    13
    0 Votes
    13 Posts
    7k Views
    MandyM
    I have gotten the comment of min doberman. lol…. could have been her spiked Harley collar.
  • 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....
  • Do Basenjis shed?

    Basenji Health Issues & Questions
    6
    0 Votes
    6 Posts
    14k Views
    MantisM
    shedding will change dramatically depending on the food….
  • Homeopathy for Basenjis?

    Basenji Health Issues & Questions
    5
    0 Votes
    5 Posts
    2k Views
    MaxBooBooBearM
    Yes–I forgot that there are actually homeopathic vets available. We are so lucky here in the Bay Area--we have great vets, specialists and also UC Davis veterinary school/drs not too far away--and believe me--I have used all of these resources over the past 18 years.....