Message Number: FHL2657 | New FHL Archives SearchFrom: Sukie Crandall
Date: Thu, 04 Oct 2007 16:03:11 -0400
To: Lamenting_Sunshine18@hotmail.com, ferrethealth@yahoogroups.com
Subject: [ferrethealth] Re: What do I use for ear cleaning
The good and bad of hydrogen peroxide and why to not use it to clean
ears:
http://ferrethealth.org/archive/YG6395
from the FHL Archives
http://ferrethealth.org/archive/
in 2001
The FHL Archives are an absolute treasure chest. So much has been
covered that it is rare to encounter a question they don't answer,
often with vet posts.
BEGIN QUOTE
> Just noticed this thread on hydrogen peroxide, and use in ears, etc.
>
> Here's the skinny on hydrogen peroxide - it can be used in some
> instances to clean wounds, etc., but usually only in the initial
> phases.
>
> Hydrogen peroxide has both good and bad properties. The good
> properties of peroxide are that a) it fizzes upon contact with
> tissue. Now if you have a lot of dirt in a wound, bacteria, etc.,
> this action can bring some material to the surface that would
> otherwise sit in a wound - so this physical action is beneficial.
> B) Peroxide has a mild anti-bacterial effect (although alcohol and
> iodine are stronger against bacteria. Adding peroxide to tissues
> liberates oxygen-containing free radicals which will work against
> bacteria at least in some fashion. However, it also works against
> healthy tissue as well.
> c) It doesn't hurt.
>
> Now for the bad parts:
>
> 1) Wounds treated with hydrogen peroxide heal more slowly. Most
> hospitals and doctors recommend against using peroxide as a
> repetitive cleansing agent for wounds.
> 2) After the fizz is gone, hydrogen peroxide becomes simple water.
> This makes it a very bad choice for an ear cleaner. I far prefer an
> astringent for use in ears. Using peroxide overtime is just like
> pouring water into your ferrets ears, and eventually you will end up
> with an infection.
> 3) Unlike iodine solutions (like betadine, etc.) there is absolutely
> no residual antibacterial action.
>
> For routine cleansing of wounds, water with a little bit of soap, or
> a little bit of an iodine-containing soap is the way to go. For
> ears, the combinationof a ceruminolytic applied first (something that
> dissolves wax), followed by an alcohol-based product for cleaning
> (which will help dry up moist ears) is the most appropriate way to go.
>
> With kindest regards,
>
> Bruce Williams, DVM
END QUOTE
Sukie (not a vet)
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