Understanding Deep Ear Lavage for Your Pet: What to Expect

The deep ear lavage procedure is often pursued as a means to thoroughly clean your pet's ear canal, particularly when an infection or significant debris is present. Unlike routine ear cleaning that you can perform at home, deep ear lavage requires a veterinarian's expertise, advanced equipment and general anaesthesia. 

This article is a comprehensive guide to help you understand what to expect from this procedure and why it may have been recommended for your pet.

Why Is Deep Ear Lavage Necessary?

Routine ear cleaning is essential for managing ear infections. Over-the-counter cleaners are typically used by pet families to remove surface debris and pus, ensuring that medication can effectively treat any infection present. However, when an ear infection causes severe pain or when debris is deeply lodged in the ear canal, a more intensive cleaning method—deep ear lavage—is required.

The Anatomy Challenge

One major reason deep ear lavage is needed is due to the unique structure of dogs' and cats' ear canals. Unlike the short, straight ear canals in humans, the ear canals of our pets have a long and winding shape. This design makes it difficult to reach and clean the deepest parts of the canal using standard cleaning methods.

The Procedure: Step-by-Step

1. Anesthesia Administration: Deep ear lavage is performed under general anesthesia to ensure your pet is completely pain-free during the procedure. Although sedation might seem like a less invasive option, it is not used because it does not eliminate the pain associated with cleaning a severely infected ear.
2. Local Anaesthesia: To further minimise discomfort, the nerves that supply the ear are infused with a local anaesthetic. This ensures your pet remains comfortable even as they wake up from anesthesia.
3. Initial Examination with Video Otoscope: A video otoscope, which provides an illuminated, high-resolution view of the ear canal, is used to examine the extent of the blockage and any damage to the ear.
4. Lavage Process: The ear is filled with a solution to soften and loosen the wax, debris, and pus. This mixture is then aspirated out to clear the ear canal. If hard, rock-like wax deposits (cerumenoliths) are present, delicate instruments guided by the otoscope may be used to remove them.
5. Detailed Inspection: After the lavage, the ear is inspected again to check for any abnormalities such as ulcers, growths, polyps, or foreign objects like grass seeds that could be contributing to the issue. The integrity of the eardrum (tympanic membrane) is also evaluated, as tears here are common, and can lead to more serious internal ear infections.

Post-Procedure Care

Pets undergoing deep ear lavage typically go home the same day. It is not uncommon for them to experience a temporary head tilt, especially if the eardrum has been ruptured and cleaning solution has entered the middle ear. This usually resolves within one to three days. You can offer your pet dinner the night of the procedure, and a follow-up appointment is generally scheduled for about a week later to assess their response to their prescribed therapies.

Stay Alert to Early Signs

If you notice your pet scratching their ears frequently, shaking their head, or showing signs of discomfort and pain around their ears, it's crucial to have them checked by a veterinarian as soon as possible. Early intervention can prevent minor issues from becoming severe infections that require more intensive treatments like deep ear lavage. Your prompt action can help ensure your pet stays healthy and comfortable.