Title: Demonstrate techniques for ear cleaning.
Course: Veterinary Science I (18105-I) > Section: Performing Skin, Coat, and Nail Maintenance

Demonstration should include

- using required PPE
- explaining signs of ear mites and ear infections, including dark discharge, redness, head shaking, pruritus, swelling, or pain on palpation
- using appropriate ear cleaning solution and materials such as cotton pads, gauze, and veterinarian‑approved cleansers
- wiping the outer ear clean of cerumen and exudates while avoiding insertion of objects into the ear canal
- noting unusual or excessive odor and reporting abnormalities for veterinary evaluation
- identifying breeds that routinely need ear plucking due to heavy ear hair that restricts airflow (e.g., poodles, certain terriers).

Teacher Resource: Administering Aural Medication (Video) FFA, Partnership for Environment Education and Rural Health, Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine

Process/Skill Questions:

- What are the symptoms of common conditions and ailments that can affect an animal's ears? How are these ailments treated?
- What precautions should be taken when cleaning and plucking an animal's ears? Why?
- Why is it dangerous to probe deep in the animal's ear with a cotton swab?
- What are the signs and symptoms of an ear infection? How is an ear infection treated? What are the possible results of not treating an ear infection?
- What are ear mites? Why must they be treated?
- Why do the ears of some breeds need to be plucked?
- What is the function of ear powder?