Use warm, clean tap water to rinse the wound. You can also make a gentle saline solution by diluting one teaspoon of salt into two cups of clean, warm water. [3] X Research source If your dog will let you, you may want to very gently massage the skin around the wound either while you rinse the ear or just before rinsing. This will remove any debris that may be stuck in or near the wound, ensuring that the tear does not heal over any foreign debris. [4] X Research source Do NOT use any kind of household soap, shampoo, or human first aid washes like rubbing alcohol or hydrogen peroxide. Using any of these could severely irritate the open wound, and your dog may react violently. [5] X Research source
Be sure to cover some of the ear’s fur in the bandaging at the perimeter of each bandaged layer, to help keep the bandage in place and prevent your dog from shaking the bandaging off on your way to the vet. [8] X Research source Check the tightness of each successive layer of bandaging. Be sure that you can fit two fingers snugly under the bandage at any given time. [9] X Research source Use a small quantity of adhesive tape around the edges of the bandage to be sure that the wrap will not come off. [10] X Research source
Gently fold the bandaged ear over the top of your dog’s head. [12] X Research source Wrap any excess bandaging around the head, with one strip going across the front of the head and the other around the back, wrapping around the opposite (healthy) ear. Use adhesive medical tape if you do not have excess bandaging. [13] X Research source Use a marker to gently mark over the bandaging/tape, indicating to your veterinarian where the ear canal begins. [14] X Research source Wrapping too tightly around the neck can compress the dog’s windpipe, making difficult for them to breathe. Take precautions to ensure the bandage is not too tight, especially around the dog’s neck.
Cut a hole in the toe end of an old sock or stocking. [17] X Research source Pull the sock/stocking over your dog’s head, with her face all the way through the sock’s hole. Be sure that your dog can see, breathe, and smell, and that the sock doesn’t start to cover her head until it’s past the eyes. [18] X Research source Tuck clean gauze (if you have it) underneath the sock at the site of the ear wound, so that the sock holds the gauze in place and applies gentle pressure to the wound. If you don’t have gauze or an absorbent bandage, use clean, dry paper towels or napkins. [19] X Research source Keep the wounded ear bandaged flat against the head. If your dog has long ears, such as those of Cocker Spaniels or Dachshunds, lift the bleeding flap up and place it on top of the dog’s head so that the fur side is resting against your dog’s skull. The inner ear should be exposed to the air. [20] X Research source Take your dog to the vet as soon as possible. Your dog should see a veterinarian within 24 hours of the injury, but it’s even better if you can get her in on the same day she has been injured. [21] X Research source
Apply the absorbent side of the pad to the site of the wound. Use medical tape to hold it in place (normal adhesive tape will work in a pinch), or simply apply pressure with your hands for several minutes while you wait for the wound to stop bleeding. [23] X Research source Be sure that the wounded ear is bandaged flat against the head to prevent further injury. If your dog has long ears, you should lift the bleeding flap up and place it on top of the dog’s head so that the fur side is resting against your dog’s skull. [24] X Research source Take your dog to the vet within 24 hours of her injury. [25] X Research source
Rip long strips from the cloth. Put clean towel, gauze, or sanitary pad against the wound. [26] X Research source Wrap the strips of cloth around the head and over the ears. Be sure that the eyes are not covered. Wrap strips of cloth around the head as necessary to put sufficient pressure against the towel or pad that is covering the wound. [27] X Research source A long and narrow piece of fabric is ideal because it will be easier to wrap this sort of fabric around your dog’s head several times and then tuck the ends in to secure them. Make sure that you can fit two fingers in between the dressing and your dog’s neck to make sure that he does not begin choking. [28] X Research source Make sure that the wounded ear is bandaged flat against the head. If your dog has long ears, be sure to lift the bleeding flap up and place it on top of the dog’s head so that the fur side is resting against your dog’s skull. [29] X Research source Take your dog in to the vet within 24 hours of the injury. [30] X Research source
The vet will address issues such as wound contamination and infection, and will determine if the tear needs suturing.
Scissors to remove the dressing. Disinfectant. A bowl. Clean water. Cotton wool. More dressing materials to re-bandage your dog’s head.
Soak clean cotton balls in the salt water and have these handy when you are ready to clean the ear flap.
To cut the bandage, slide your left hand in under the bandage to cover the dog’s skin if you are right handed. Hold the scissors in your right hand and hold the long blades so that they are pointing from nose to tail. With the scissors in position, cut away the bandage. Never cut along the top of your dog’s head. If you take too deep a snip of bandage you may accidentally cut his ear.
