What should be done for badly infected ears?

• A. Inform the owner
• B. Clean them and inform the owner
• C. Ignore and continue
• D. Use a q-tip to clean

Answer: (B)

When ears are badly infected, the priority is animal safety and clear communication with the owner. The best approach is to gently clean what you can on the outer area to remove surface debris and assess the situation, then inform the owner that there is an infection and that a veterinary exam is needed. This builds trust with the owner while preventing further irritation from grooming and avoiding deeper manipulation that could worsen the condition. Avoid inserting objects into the ear canal or attempting more invasive cleaning, and never try to treat an infection yourself beyond safe outer-cleaning. Ignoring the issue or continuing without notice isn’t acceptable, and it’s not within a groomer’s scope to diagnose or treat ear infections. Documenting what you find and communicating promptly gives the owner the best chance for proper care.