A Helpful Guide to Keep Your Yorkshire Terrier's Ears Healthy

The Yorkshire Terrier, also known as the Yorkie, is a fairly healthy breed of dog although they may be prone to some ear issues. This 19th century dog comes from Yorkshire in England, and has a long life of almost 17 years. They were historically trained to catch rats in clothing mills.

Taking care of your pet's ears begins with preventative care such as looking for signs of infection, especially when you are grooming your pet. Also look for any behavioral changes which may signify signs of an ear problem in your pet.

The Yorkshire Terrier has little fur that can be cut into very short hair, so you need not worry about brushing so often. This breed is born with floppy ears as they do not have proper muscle strength at the base to keep their ears erect. Usually these muscles become stronger with time. The V shaped standing ears are a matter of pride at dog shows. Floppy ears make the Yorkshire terrier look much younger.

To make the ears stand up, the owner has to work to improve the muscle strength of the dog's ears. This is achieved by:

• Taping the ears vertically, as when folded, the ears will stand up straight. Wrap gauze around the base and tape it securely with scotch tape. Experiment with the tightness so that it neither blocks the circulation nor lets the ears fall
• Massage the base gently to strengthen the muscles. Most muscles are developed by the time the dog is seven months. If the ears still do not stand then accept that your Yorkshire terrier is floppy eared
• Shave of 1/3 of hair from the top to reduce the weight on the ears. Shave both inside and outside with a clipping machine, making sure that the hair does not go into the eyes or ears

Yorkshire Terriers are usually affected by mites which live in the ears, and which may often travel to other parts of the body. If your dog has been playing in grass, make sure to clean them thoroughly and remove all visible mites. Bathing and swimming can lead to moist hair around the dog's ears which is a breeding ground for bacterial growth. Wax buildup in the ear canal causes infection due to the foreign bodies that may be trapped in the ear.

Some common signs of ear infection:

• Bad odor from the ear
• Discharge of pus or viscous liquid
• Your pet rubs it's ears against objects or keeps scratching the ear
• Even touching the ear causes severe pain and the dog reacts with a yelp or bark
• Your pet's walk becomes unbalanced which causes dizziness and vomiting

Treatment includes a proper inspection of the ear canal by a veterinarian. The excess wax or debris is removed systematically and medications may be prescribed to treat the infection. Remember to keep the ears clean and dry at all times. Similarly, try to pick mites before they travel to the inner canal or other parts of the body. Wash the ears regularly at home and immediately take your Yorkie to the veterinarian when you see any unusual symptoms.