You’ve probably heard it before: the quick and constant thumping sound of your dog’s paw scratching their painful, itchy ears. In fact, one of the most common reasons pet parents bring their dogs to the vet is because of ear problems. In this article, we’re going to explore who’s at risk for ear infections and what causes them, how to spot ear infections in your dog, and how to treat ear infections, along with what not to do.
Any age, sex, or breed of dog can be affected, but dogs who have the following are more prone to ear infections than others: floppy or large ear flaps, narrow canals, and excess hair in their ear canals. It is most commonly found in Labrador retrievers, golden retrievers, cocker spaniels, poodles, schnauzers, German shepherds, terriers, and basset hounds. An ear infection in dogs is most commonly caused by allergies to environmental factors, food, or fleas. Others include bacterial infections, yeast infections, viral diseases, parasites like ear mange mites, endocrine diseases like hypothyroidism, foreign bodies like grass or foxtails, tumors, autoimmune skin diseases, excessive cleaning, trauma, and ear polyps.
How To Recognize Ear Infections In Your Dog
The occasional ear scratch or face rub on the carpet could simply be a normal dog response to temporary irritation. In some cases, your dog’s ear infection may be caused by excessive scratching or a stinky smell coming from their ears. Take your pup to the veterinarian if it shows any of the following signs: redness, swelling, or blood in or around the ear, black discharge, which is common with ear mite infections, dark brown, dark yellow, or white discharge, crusting or ulceration in or around the ear, head shaking, swelling of the ear flap, pawing, scratching, or rubbing the ears, whining, or attempting to bite when the ears are touched, behavioral changes, decreased appetite, difficulty hearing, or sudden deafness, and neurologic signs, including head tilts, circles, or abnormal eye movement which may indicate otitis media or otitis interna.
Need To Treat Your Dog’s Ear Infection? Get To The Vet
Taking your dog for a vet check at the first sign of infection gives you the best chance of quickly soothing your dog’s discomfort and resolving the underlying problem. Ear infections won’t go away on their own, and without proper treatment, the pain your dog feels will only get worse. Fortunately, most simple ear infections can be resolved with a professional cleaning and a veterinary-prescribed topical antibacterial or antifungal medication that’s placed within your dog’s ear. Other infection treatments may include regular ear cleaning, anti-inflammatory medications, oral antibiotics or oral antifungal medication, allergy shots or antihistamine medications, or a specialized allergy diet which may include supplements, like Allergy Chews, or Omega Oil for skin support, hormone regulation medications, or surgery to remove the swollen ear canal tissue.
3 Definite Don’ts For Treating An Ear Infection
1. Don’t Look To OTC Meds: Although it may be tempting to treat your dog’s itchy ear with a natural or over-the-counter, OTC, medication or cleanser, never place anything in your dog’s ear unless advised by your veterinarian.
2. Don’t Try Those Sworn-By Home Remedies: Many popular home remedies, including vinegar washes, can irritate the ear canal and cause swelling and bacterial or yeast infections. Plus, many OTC remedies contain propylene glycol which can worsen an already inflamed ear.
3. Don’t Check The Medicine Cabinet For Leftovers: Lastly, never use any leftover, expired, or non-prescribed medication in your dog’s ear. Now that you know what to do and what not to do when your dog has an ear infection, let’s look at some ways to prevent them from happening altogether.
Tips To Prevent Dog Ear Infections
Dog ear infections aren’t always preventable. That doesn’t mean you can’t support your dog’s ear health. In addition to regular veterinary care, you can dry your dog’s ears after bathing or swimming. Regularly handle your dog’s ears so they don’t resist treatment at the vet. Support your dog’s skin barrier with Omega Oil. Boost your dog’s overall immune health with Allergy Chews and give your pup monthly prescription medication to prevent mites, fleas, and other parasitic infections.
