Your springer spaniel's long drooping ears allow him to collect scent while hunting. But those adorably floppy hangers-on also trap water and bacteria, leading to painful ear infections. Routine preventative care will reduce your springer spaniel's chance of infection and improve the overall health of his ears.
Step 1
Trim the hair around your springer spaniel's ears. Long fur becomes matted with debris, oil and dirt. It also keeps moisture and bacteria near his ear canal, which increases his chance of infection and irritation. Trimming the wavy hair on his floppy ears to an inch or less in length will prevent painful matting and tangles from occurring. The most problematic fur for ear infections, however, grows underneath his ear flap.
Step 2
Flip his ear inside out and trim the fur growing at the base of his outer ear. A groomer will typically shave the area under his ear flap completely. To avoid poking your pup by accident, always use a small pair of grooming scissors when trimming anywhere near his ears.
Step 3
Rinse your springer spaniel's ears at least once a week with an ear cleansing solution that will dry up any excess moisture hiding inside his ears. Squeeze a few drops of cleanser into his ear canal, hold the flap down, and distribute the solution by massaging the base of his ear for 15 seconds before allowing him to shake. Fold open his ear flap to inspect the inside. If you don't find any wax or buildup, leave his ear folded open until it dries. Repeat the process one week later. Visible wax or discharge requires a more thorough cleaning.
Step 4
Remove wax buildup by wiping a clean cotton ball over the grooved cartilage of your springer spaniel's outer ear. Replace and discard the cotton balls as necessary to avoid spreading the wax around his ear. Never insert a cotton ball or cotton swab inside your springer spaniel's ear canal. Doing so can puncture his ear drum and permanently damage his hearing.
