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 combination of 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 [Posted in FML issue 3511]