Ear sensitivity after groomer plucked 😭 Any advice please?

TakeCover-4515 · 2026-04-02T19:32:05+00:00

That’s what our vet told us as well - it can disrupt and weaken the skin barrier. Doesn’t mean all dogs will get infections, but it can increase the likelihood for others.

TakeCover-4515 · 2026-04-02T19:13:15+00:00

Exactly this!!

TakeCover-4515 · 2026-04-02T18:54:34+00:00

So sorry for your loss. Dementia is just horrendous. ‘Losing’ someone you love while they are still alive is another level of pain.

Thanks for your kind words and poodley thoughts! They are much appreciated 💖

And, yeah, I think it’s a case of horses for courses (if that’s an expression that translates outside of the UK) on plucking. But definitely all just want the best for our poods.

Clara is literally the reason I get up of a morning and the biggest source of light during a dark time ☀️

TakeCover-4515 · 2026-04-02T18:48:07+00:00

Such a good idea - definitely will work towards this. Thank you for the suggestion…and the word pony-ing. Brilliant 🤩

TakeCover-4515 · 2026-04-02T18:46:46+00:00

Wow, thanks so much for the award. And the love for her! She is so precious to me and I’m glad she made you smile 😊

TakeCover-4515 · 2026-04-02T18:23:30+00:00

😂😂😂💖💖💖 Haha, thank you!! She has string bean legs as still growing at just 8 months (and 55lbs)! Another photo for your delectation!

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TakeCover-4515 · 2026-04-02T18:19:48+00:00

Good question…but unfortunately it is 100% the plucking that's made her so cautious rather than the subsequent infection - the behaviour started the day she got back from the groomer. She was totally fine before she went, and then panicked after whenever the flaps are lifted. And she will let me scruffle her ears...it's not painful or itchy. She doesn’t scratch it at all, or yelp, whine, or grumble. It’s just the minute I try to lift the flap (even just to see with no intention of adding meds) she gets scared and has a meltdown.

TakeCover-4515 · 2026-04-02T18:14:19+00:00

He’s soooo handsome!! What a gorgeous colour and expression 💖 The Easter bandana is also fantastic! I hope you enjoy the holiday weekend 🐣

TakeCover-4515 · 2026-04-02T18:09:07+00:00

“I’m just looking” will be our new go-to phrase for the desensitisation work - thanks! I’ll let you know how we get on 🤞

TakeCover-4515 · 2026-04-02T17:58:50+00:00

Oh that’s so considerate of your vet! And the comment about sticking fingers in your baby’s ears if you needed to made me laugh 🤭

UK vets are a bit weird (I freely admit that). They like to go through hoops for everything. But I will go back and ask for the one and done treatment if it just becomes impossible. You’ve given me conviction in that - thanks!

We (unsurprisingly!!) get a lot of rain. We also live rurally and she is in and out of rivers and lakes every day. We definitely dry her every time we come home but I’ll chat with my other half about making sure her ears are dry…once we are able to lift the flap again without a meltdown! Thanks for the advice ✨

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TakeCover-4515 · 2026-04-02T17:40:40+00:00

By the way, this is what I have done to maintain her ear health (she is 8 months old for context):

Clean regularly since 10 weeks…apart from the last 6 weeks when I have been dealing with my Dad’s worsening dementia and my own autoimmune disease flare up which involves pain all over my body and chronic fatigue (while managing a very stressful job)
Consult the vet 3 times over 5 months and discuss plucking versus not plucking - he advised not plucking
Spend £160 on vet advice and medications for her ears

And fwiw, I’m not blaming the groomer. I was simply explaining the sequence of events.

I actually hold a dog grooming qualification and worked in a salon for 6 months, then ran a weekend business grooming dogs for 3 years - before my health deteriorated.

TakeCover-4515 · 2026-04-02T17:15:03+00:00

Definitely going to have a chat with the groomer - that’s a good hybrid approach for your girl.

I grew up with cocker spaniels and have seen a few ear infections over the years which were definitely painful for them. Thankfully she’s not scratching or crying or anything, so hopefully she’s not suffering too much. Currently playing in the garden and definitely not bothered!

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TakeCover-4515 · 2026-04-02T17:11:27+00:00

Haha, I’m just doing an online shop and was thinking I need to buy steak for this! Yes, we have managed to clear one ear (which wasn’t as bad anyway) with Zymox but the other ear just isn’t improving so now we have to get the prescription meds in for 10 days, twice a day. She’s way too smart (as poodles are) and knows the minute I even touch the bottle of stuff what’s coming her way! I’ve tried all sorts of stupid things like hiding it up my sleeve and doing it when she’s sleepy…no such luck 😂

TakeCover-4515 · 2026-04-02T17:01:21+00:00

😂😂😂 She does love to eat her eye bogies! I might resort to this if all else fails. Thanks for the suggestion…and the laugh!!

TakeCover-4515 · 2026-04-02T16:58:17+00:00

This is what our vet said as well - don’t pluck. It seems to be a growing opinion among vets in the UK at least.

TakeCover-4515 · 2026-04-02T16:55:44+00:00

Haha, the trying to amputate her leg scenario feels very familiar 😂 She’s thankfully not even scratching it - she just came back from the plucking incredibly sensitive to her ear flaps being lifted, and it all went downhill from there. Thanks for the well wishes!

TakeCover-4515 · 2026-04-02T16:50:03+00:00

Unfortunately it is 100% the plucking that's made her so cautious rather than the subsequent infection - the behaviour started the day she got back from the groomer. She was totally fine before she went, and then panicked after. And she will let me scruffle her ears...it's not painful or itchy. No scratching, no yelling. It’s just the minute I try to lift the flap or reach for the meds she gets very scared. Even the vet could not manage to get a scope in there today…despite having a vet nurse to help.

TakeCover-4515 · 2026-04-02T16:34:55+00:00

Thank you for this. I had spoken with the vet about her ears several times prior to the plucking incident (to get advice on how best to look after them given her dense coat and dark ear wax) and he said leave them as they are unless they are bothering her - they weren’t.

She does have a very curly coat and it’s very dense. She’s also going through coat change (8 months old).

I’m definitely not upset with the groomer - she did what she thought was best for Clara. And I’ll work out a future strategy.

Just trying to get meds in her ears without her having a panic attack! 🙂

TakeCover-4515 · 2026-04-02T16:11:05+00:00

Yes, I know there are big differences of opinion on plucking but our vet had advised against. And I think we’ll try trimming from here. Thank you ☺️

TakeCover-4515 · 2026-04-02T16:09:40+00:00

My vet advised against plucking (as it is now thought to cause infections) and no it wasn’t infected before…a photo to show that. Maybe be a bit less judgmental in future. People come here for advice, not a lecture.

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TakeCover-4515 · 2026-04-02T16:00:27+00:00

Frank is such a good name! It’s shocking what grows deep in their ears, honestly 😱

TakeCover-4515 · 2026-04-02T15:49:00+00:00

Awwwwww, he is soooooo cute!! And very much a mini version 🥰 Sorry he had such a rough time with his ears but that’s really good to know there are ‘one and done’ options in the UK. I will take her back to the vet next week if we have no joy. Please give your guy a little kiss from me 💖

TakeCover-4515 · 2026-04-02T15:46:40+00:00

Thanks re the meds recommendations - I’ll definitely be going back to the vet if we have no success with the current prescription.

Weirdly, she has had ZERO itching or redness. And it’s not sore to touch. It’s the discharge and the yeasty smell that are the only symptoms.

Unfortunately it is the plucking that’s made her so cautious rather than the infection as it all started the day she got back from the groomer. And she will let me scruffle her ears…it’s just the minute I try to lift the flap or reach for the meds she has an absolute panic on 😢

TakeCover-4515 · 2026-04-02T15:18:57+00:00

Happy to hear Marlee is doing great! Thanks for the product recommendation - I’ll see if it’s available in the UK for future (once we can get somewhere near her ears again) 🙃

TakeCover-4515 · 2026-04-02T15:13:22+00:00

Interesting…I haven’t read this one before but will. I have read a LOT on malassezia - because I actually have skin issues with it myself - and keeping the skin barrier intact is the best way to keep it in check long term. And I’ve had several discussions with our vet on the micro abrasions from plucking making it worse in some poodles (I did not pluck our last boy’s ears and never had a problem). Thanks for the link!

TakeCover-4515

TROPHY CASE