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Those Basenji ears?!?

Basenji Health Issues & Questions
  • Ninabeana26N

    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! :)

    Nina & my baby boy Dallas

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  • tanzaT

    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.

    Pat Fragassi

    Tanza Basenjis

    www.tanzabasenjis.net

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  • CraighC

    @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.

    Bella (Tri female), Alex (Red/White boy RIP), Cassi (Red/White girl RIP)

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  • Ninabeana26N

    @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…

    Nina & my baby boy Dallas

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  • etzbsederE

    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.

    Michael Feldman
    Gilbert, AZ

    Chaverim Basenjis

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  • JazzysMomJ

    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.

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  • nomrbddgsN

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

    Arlene, the Basenji Brats with the Boxenji![](images/smilies/biggrin.png "Big Grin")

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  • BarklessdogB

    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!

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