Ear wicks

Re: Ear wicks

Rob Davis — Thu, 10 Jun 2010 18:49:58 GMT

[quote user="Kate Dawes"]

We used them quite successfully in a young German shephard that would not tolerate anyone coming anywhere near it's ears - either us to examine or owner to admin drops - had to be sedated to do anything. I don't think I would use them routinely for cases where drops aren't a problem though.

[/quote]

Surprise, surprise - the case I am considering using them in is also a GSD whos owner is unable to apply topical medication.... I have flushed the ears once under sedation, but is looking as though I will need to repeat this, and am considering inserting an ear wick at the same time.

Many thanks for all the helpful replies.

Re: Ear wicks

Kate Dawes — Thu, 10 Jun 2010 16:54:26 GMT

Re: Ear wicks

Rob Loxley — Thu, 10 Jun 2010 16:16:04 GMT

We have bought them from Dermapet via our usual wholesaler, though only in boxes of 10 (I think 10, certainly not individually), and used a steroid/antibiotic/trizEDTA soak solution daily. Have found that you need to place them deep, and ideally around the bend between vert/horiz canals else they are easily dislodged and shaken out (likewise if they are allowed to dry out). Useful maybe in 'holding' aqueous ear drops in the ear for longer, when using homebrew TrizEDTA solutions. Some dogs just don't seem to tolerate them however.

Tim Nuttall has some advice and useful Triz 'recipes' in the BSAVA 2009 proceedings.

Re: Ear wicks

ms1083 — Thu, 10 Jun 2010 16:12:05 GMT

p.s. www.dermapetuk.com or phone 01744 458162 can be ordered directly.

Re: Ear wicks

ms1083 — Thu, 10 Jun 2010 16:11:23 GMT

not used them personally but we have them in the practice. bought from Dunlops. they are called dermapet ear wicks.

very good article in Uk Vet Vol 13 No 7 p53 (part 1) & also Uk Vet Vol 13 No 8 p50 (part 2)

basically:

under GA, flush, clean & dry ear. apply dry wick via auroscope at junction between verticle/horizontal canal. then use antibiotic ear drops to wet/swell the wick. leave like this for 3-5 days, but can be 2 weeks until removal. owners can apply more drops after few days to keep the wick swollen.

seems to work quite well.