Dog Ear Infection
19 Aug 2008
Dog ear infection is one of the most common infections seen in dogs. The infection usually occurs in the external ear canal, and it is called otitis externa.
What Are The Signs Of Dog Ear Infection?
Surprisingly, some dogs do not display any obvious sign, except for an odor in the ear.
More often, a dog suffering from a ear infection can have a itchy or painful ear. The dog shows its discomfort by scratching its ears; rubbing the ears on the floor, on objects or furniture; or by shaking its head.
The dog may whine in discomfort. Or growl in protest, when you try to touch the ears.
The infected ear becomes red and inflamed and has a foul odor. And there may be swelling of the ear flap and ear canal. The ear may also have a black or yellowish discharge.
If the infection occurs in the middle ear, it could impair your dog’s sense of balance, causing disorientation, and you may find the dog walking in circles.
What Causes Dog Ear Infection?
Here are some factors that cause ear infections in dogs:
Yeast and Bacteria
Yeast and bacteria are micro organisms that reside in the ear canal. A healthy dog ear is immune to these micro organisms. However, if the ear canal becomes moist or is blocked by a build up of ear wax, the yeast and bacteria will quickly multiply, resulting in a ear infection.
Parasites
Ear mites are parasites that can infect a dog’s ear. A tell tale sign of the presence of ear mites is black debris that look like grounded coffee in the dog’s ear canal. Other parasites that may also invade a dog’s ear canal are fleas, ticks and mange.
Ear mites are most commonly found in puppies, kittens and cats, than in an adult dog. However, ear mites can be transmitted from one pet to another by direct contact. An adult dog can still be infested if it interacts with another pet who carries ear mites.
Foreign Bodies
Sometimes, foreign objects(such as plant seeds, foxtail) accidentally end up in the external ear canals of dogs. If the foreign object remains in the ear canal, it can irritate the ear and cause inflammation.
If the foreign object travels deeper into the ear canal, it can damage the ear drum and result in more serious damage.
Allergies
One of the most common cause of dog ear infection is allergies. A dog can have an allergic reaction to its food or the environment(such as molds, yeast and pollens that it breathes in). It also can develop an allergy to substances it comes in contact with(such as medication).
These underlying allergies if not treated, will cause the dog to have recurring ear infections. The ear infections usually relapse after the ear medication is discontinued.
What Are The Treatments For Dog Ear Infection?
A dog with a infected, smelly and itchy ear feels miserable. Bring the dog to the veterinarian to find out the cause of the ear problem.
Do not apply medication to your dog’s ear without knowing what causes the ear infection.
The vet will use an otoscope(an instrument that provides magnification and light) to examine the ear carnal. This examination determines if there are foreign objects in the ear canal and whether the ear drum is intact.
The vet will also take a sample of the material in the ear canal, examine it under the microscope to determine the type of micro organisms that cause the infection. This is called cytology.
The results from the otoscope examination and cytology determine the appropriate treatment and medication.
If a foreign body is lodged deep in the ear canal, the dog may have to be sedated inorder to remove the offensive particle.
A dog with a heavy build up of ear debris may also need to be sedated for ear cleansing.
Ear medications are prescribed based on the type of infection. Your dog might need a ear cleaner, ear drops and sometimes, oral medication.
Antibiotics are prescribed for bacteria infection whilst a broad-spectrum medication can help treat multiple infections.
Are There Holistic Treatments For Dog Ear Infection?
A holistic vet may recommend natural remedies you can use at home to help heal and prevent a dog ear infection.
One guide which I think pet guardians would love to have is, the Veterinary Secrets Revealed.
You learn how to clean your dog’s ears, treat the infection, and lessen the inflammation in the ears using natural home remedies.
You get to know the herbs and supplements that help promotes a healthy immune system, and reduces the risk of recurring infections.
You also learn about the underlying diseases associated with chronic ear infections. And how to use effective and natural remedies to treat these diseases.
Find out the nautral remedies a holistic vet uses for dog ear infection and other dog illnesses.
Get the information to heal your pet.
