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Chapter 11 Clinical Techniques 195

FIGURE 11.10 Ear cleansers and ear swab preparation supplies.

on the appropriate side of the divided slide. Repeat for
the other ear and then allow that slide to set for a few
minutes. With the other applicator sticks, dip one in the
mineral oil on the second slide, go back into the vertical
canal, swirl and scoop again. Roll that stick in half the
mineral oil on the slide, repeat for the other ear. Give
the slides to the veterinary technician to examine. She
will use the slide with mineral oil on it to look for ear
mites and, after staining the divided slide, look for yeast
or bacteria.
The procedure to clean the ear begins with gathering
the supplies (Figure 11.10). Ear cleanser or an antiseptic
solution, cotton balls, applicator sticks, and an otoscope
will be required. Pour a bit of cleanser into a syringe or
bottle cap. Dip an applicator stick or cotton ball into the
solution and clean the creases of the pinna and exterior
ear canal (Figure 11.11).
Use the otoscope with an appropriated sized cannula
to see if you can visualize the white translucent mem- FIGURE 11.11 Cotton swab in external ear canal.
brane of tympanic membrane. Remember to lift the
pinna up and out a bit to straighten the canal. If you milliliter of cleanser and continue to massage. The
can’t see it because of debris or wax the ear must be cotton ball will soak up some of the solution and grab
cleaned out. the debris that comes out of the ear from the massaging.
Start with 1–3 mL of cleanser in a syringe Tilt the head to the side with that ear down to drain
(Figures 11.12a-c), gently pull the pinna up and out, and more cleanser out. After a minute of massaging use a
deposit the cleanser into the vertical ear canal by swiping motion to take the cotton ball out of the ear.
depressing the plunger on the syringe. Place a cotton Continue adding solution, massaging and wiping until
ball inside the ear canal and then place your thumb just the cotton ball comes out clean. Once it is clean take
below the targi and fingers on the opposite side of the another cotton ball and pull it about half way apart.
ear to massage the solution in the ear canal. You should Place one piece of the cotton ball over your index finger
hear squishing sounds as you massage; if not add another and try to reach into the vertical ear canal to sop up any