by Janet Farricelli CPDT-KA

Created on: April 26, 2009   Last Updated: April 27, 2009

Rottweilers are characterized by floppy ears which can make them prone to ear infections. However, this does not necessarily mean that all Rottweilers will become victims of these annoying ear problems. Rather, with some precautions, owners may help prevent many ear problems from arising.

Because ear infections can be due to several causes, being floppy eared does not grant ear problems. Dogs with erect ears may as well have a life long history of ear infections. There are ultimately, many things to consider.

If you own a Rottweiler or are considering adopting one soon, there are many things you can do to prevent ear infections. Perhaps one of the most important is to ensure you take good care of your dog's ears. For instance, if you are giving your Rottweiler a bath, it is a good practice to insert two cotton balls, one in each ear, to prevent them from getting wet.

Wet ears make good grounds for bacteria to set in and grow because moisture is like an invitation to them. Add also the fact that ear canal is dark and you will have the recipe for an ear infection. By putting cotton balls in the ear, you will ensure they stay dry for the whole process of bathing your dog. This is a practice all professional and knowledgeable dog groomers should abide to.

Ear infections may set because of various causes. For this reason, even dogs with erect ears can get ear infections. The ear infection may arise because the dog is suffering from allergies and the dog is constantly scratching at them, ear mites may be irritating the ear, yeast infections may be setting in or foreign bodies may be stuck in the ear causing irritation and inflammation. The causes may be various.

Ear cleanings may be very helpful. Have your veterinarian show you how to properly clean the ears. Ensure you do not go too deep and do not use swabs or q-tips as these used improperly may cause a ruptured ear drum. Your veterinarian may also recommend you a good ear cleaning product. For mild cases, owners may try to clean the ears with a half and half mixture of water and white vinegar for a week. This mixture is effective in creating an inhospitable environment for yeast and bacteria to set in.

The conformation of a Rottweiler's ears may make them prone to ear infections, but all dogs share the typical ''L'' shaped ear canal that effectively traps traps dirt, bacteria and debris requiring routine cleanings. By keeping ears clean and dry, you may considerably reduce the chances that your Rottweiler will suffer from annoying ear infections.

Learn more about this author, Janet Farricelli CPDT-KA.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.