Puppy ears! Half-posting/Avoiding infection?

[thylacinu]

Hey y'all!
I'm notoriously verbose, so I'll open with the summary before going into too much detail:

My baby Salamander is 11 weeks old. He doesn't have an ear infection right now, but they're definitely getting irritated. I started half-posting so I can keep them clean until the issue resolves, but I read that you shouldn't half-post unless the bells are strong—and he's only been posting for 10 days. I'm not too worried about a couple days half-posting since he's so young, but I'm not confident about keeping it up for however long his ears take to heal.

Now the "too much detail" part:

I noticed overproduction of ear wax a couple days ago and started cleaning (carefully!) around the post with q-tips and rubbing alcohol to keep it from building up (then cleaning carefully with dry q-tips to keep it, yknow...dry). I started half-posting yesterday to let them breathe, and that's when I noticed a few small sores and some minor inflammation inside his ears.

I got an otic antimicrobial ear cleaner that I started using yesterday, and I've also been using some skin soother and wrinkle balm from Natural Dog Company (been stashing free samples from work) to help sooth the inflammation and sores between using the cleaner.

To post, I use backer rod wrapped in duct tape to make it stiffer, then backtaped and taped to the ear with zonas tape. I change the post every 3-5 days (closer to every 3 days right now). For half-posting, I basically did the same method but half, no torbots or anything, and they've stayed up well so far.

It's my first experience posting ears. After talking to my breeder and doing some research, I figured out what I did to cause the irritation and I know what I'm going to do to avoid it going forward. I'm just not sure what to do in the mean time.

So, what do y'all think? Keep half-posting and doing what I'm doing until everything clears up? Go back to full posts with some ear powder or gauze on the end and just clean them when I repost, and/or repost more often to keep checking on it? Or let them flop for a few days?

Thanks, and sorry for going on so long. I appreciate anyone who can offer some advice!

 

[Ravenbird]

I'm not an expert, but my first thought is to let them flop for a few days and let them really heal up and air out. I would just clean them and let them breathe, no balm type products. At this age I don't think a short break in posting would hurt the future standing, but ongoing infection would. You'll hear from some folks that have lots more experience soon. Welcome to the forum and ummm, we love puppy pictures!

 

[Kaiser2016]

A Doberman named Salamander Tell us the story behind that!

Agree that he’s young enough that I’d leave him unposted right now.

 

[thylacinu]

Welcome to the forum and ummm, we love puppy pictures!

But of course!

 

[thylacinu]

A Doberman named Salamander Tell us the story behind that!

I just think it's a good name! They're both very sleek and shiny. And as someone who works at a daycare/boarding place and knows hundreds of dogs with 5 different names between them, I appreciate the power of a unique name! We like to call him "Sal" or "Sally"

 

[Kaiser2016]

Great shot in the green grass!

 

[JanS]

So, what do y'all think? Keep half-posting and doing what I'm doing until everything clears up? Go back to full posts with some ear powder or gauze on the end and just clean them when I repost

I think either would be a good option since they're already off to a good start. I would just hate to give them a chance to flop when they're already standing so nicely.

 

[Logan 45]

I’m not the seasoned veteran like some of the other people on here but I have posted 2 dobermans now which by no means makes me a pro. My method for in between posting is cleaning with a 70% alcohol wipe which might prove difficult to find right now. And as far as ear powder goes four paws is pretty good.

 

[thylacinu]

I think either would be a good option since they're already off to a good start. I would just hate to give them a chance to flop when they're already standing so nicely.

That was my thought too. They were both already looking a bit better by the end of the day yesterday, so I put in full posts with some gauze at the end. There's no excessive ear wax this morning, which is a good sign. I think I'll change them again tomorrow and take a look inside.

My method for in between posting is cleaning with a 70% alcohol wipe which might prove difficult to find right now. And as far as ear powder goes four paws is pretty good.

I actually have a ton of alcohol wipes for myself because I take injectable meds, and that's what I was using before I noticed all the irritation. I'll go back to that once he's cleared up so I can save the ear cleaner for when he needs something more targeted at infections.

I'll look into that ear powder. So far I've just been swiping a puff or two from the groomers at work

 

[Panama]

Welcome from SE Alabama! Gorgeous pup!

Doing 1/2 posts will allow any irritation down in the ear to heal. His ears look fantastic so far, I wouldn't let them flop.
If there are any sores where the 1/2 post is against the ear, then yes I would leave them down to heal.

Good friend of mine in Oklahoma uses 1/2 posts through the entire process (once sutures are out and completely healed).

 

[thylacinu]

Welcome from SE Alabama! Gorgeous pup!

Doing 1/2 posts will allow any irritation down in the ear to heal. His ears look fantastic so far, I wouldn't let them flop.
If there are any sores where the 1/2 post is against the ear, then yes I would leave them down to heal.

Good friend of mine in Oklahoma uses 1/2 posts through the entire process (once sutures are out and completely healed).

Thanks for the compliments!
I'm glad to know it's okay to half post this young. I'm going to change his posts tomorrow and I'll let y'all know how they're doing!