Posted by Mary on 2/5/2005, 6:37 pm, in reply to "Pug is constanly licking the other dog's ears " However, some dogs also just like to lick ears. It can be a sign of affection between dogs, and it's perfectly normal as long as both dogs are enjoying it. My dog is one of these. She even licks at our cat's ears when they let her. And yes, licking can lead to infections. Basically, if the ear has moisture trapped inside, then the small amount of yeast that is naturally in your dog's ears multiplies and you can end up with a yeast infection- redness, tenderness, and even icky goo. In response, the ear puts down a layer of protective wax, which causes more moisture to stay trapped and makes the problem perpetuate itself. Dogs with floppy ears or dogs who swim often are more prone to ear infections. If your dog is having a lot of ear problems, ask your vet to reccomend an ear cleaner that you can use as needed. A product such as "Otirinse" is perfect. It cleans the ear and contains an astringent to help dry it out. Have some on hand and use it as needed, especially after a bath, swimming, or a long ear-licking session.
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The Beagle Lover is right- dogs can often smell an infection in it's early stages, and licking at the other dog's ears can be a sign of that.
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