Treating Canine Ear Infections: Dog Ear Infection

Ear infections in dogs are as painful as ear infections in humans. The symptoms the dog presents with ear infections are very clear and include:

1. The infected ear emits a strong odor.
2. The dog exhibits pain anytime the infected ear is touched or moved.
3. The dog will shake its head more than usual.
4. The dog will rub the infected ear excessively.
5. A yellow or dark discharge may be noticed on the ear.
6. The skin on the ear is bright red or may even be bleeding.

Dog ear infections will not go away on their own. Any dog with these symptoms should be taken to a veterinarian where a diagnosis can be made.

1. The veterinarian will examine the ear canal with an otoscope.
2. The veterinarian will take a sample of any discharge for cytology and culturing.
3. There are three types of ear infections and diagnosing these requires a culture of the discharge found inside the ear. These types are:
   • Yeast infection
   • Bacterial infection
   • Fungus infection

After the veterinarian has examined the dog ear problems and it has been determined that the dog has an ear infection and which type the infection is, treatment can begin. Treatment for Canine Ear Infections includes:

1. Use an ear-cleaning solution to clean the infected dog ear. Never use water or peroxide. Hold the dog's earflap and pour the ear-cleaning solution into the ear, filling the ear canal. Massage the canal gently to work the debris loose. Take a tissue and wipe the ear canal as deep as you can reach with your finger. Repeat the procedure until no wax or debris is on the tissues and the dog ears appear to be clean.
2. The veterinarian may have to anesthetize the dog and clean the ear if the dog is in pain, or to remove a tick or foreign body.
3. The veterinarian may prescribe antibiotics or an anti-yeast agent to put in the ear, depending on the type of infection that was found.

Canine Ear Infections usually take 3 to 6 weeks to clear up with treatment, including cleaning the ear twice daily. If this condition goes untreated, it can lead to surgery due to complications such as an infection that penetrates the ear drum or an ear canal that has closed; therefore, it is imperative to have a dog ear infection treated.

After learning how to treat canine ear infections, it is important to be proactive and prevent further infections. To prevent canine ear infections, the dog owner should:

1. Clean the dog's ears weekly.
2. Clean the dog's ears after each swim.
3. Remove hair from the dog's ears if the dog has a lot growing in it.

Canine ear infections are usually caused by:

1. Water left in the ear after swimming.
2. The dog has a thyroid condition.
3. The dog has allergies.
4. The dog has parasites.
5. The dog may have a foreign body in the ear.
6. The dog may have a tumor in the ear.