and the inner ear. The outer ear, or the visible part of the
ear, is most prone to infections. It is reported that about
90% of infections happen in the outer ear.
Infections of the outer ear canal are common among dogs. Dog
ear infections, or Otitis Externa, occur frequently in dogs
because of the way their ears are designed. The horizontal
and vertical components of a dog's ear make it difficult for
particles such as water or debris to drain out.
Signs that Your Dog Has an Ear Infection
* Your dog is constantly and excessively shaking its head.
* There is yellow to brown discharge in your dog's ears.
* Your dog's ears have a yeast-like smell.
* There is redness and swelling on your dog's infected ear.
Possible Causes of Dog Ear Infection
Dog ear infections are caused by a variety of things.
However, allergies are the typical cause of dog ear
infections. If your dog has allergies or is highly
susceptible to allergies, your dog is likely to
have ear infections.
Water getting into the ears is another common cause of ear
infections among dogs. So if your dog likes to swim, it is
prone to ear infections. This is because of the way your
dog's ears are designed. When water gets inside your dog's
ears, the water can't properly drain out. Thus, your dog's
ears become the perfect breeding ground for bacteria and
yeast. This doesn't mean, however, that you shouldn't
allow your dog to swim or play in the water anymore. It just
means that you should thoroughly dry your dog's ears after
to prevent ear infections.
Cleaning Your Dog's Infected Ear
Regardless of how much you take care of your dog's well
being, your dog will most likely eventually have ear
infections. When this happens, you need to know the correct
way of cleaning your dog's ear before putting medication.
1. Put a few drops of ear cleanser into your dog's infected
ear.
2. Next, gently rub or massage the ear to loosen any debris
that is stuck in there.
3. Using a soft cloth, gauze or cotton ball, gently scrape
and wipe the dirt out of the infected ear.
Medicating Your Dog's Infected Ear
After thoroughly cleaning your dog's infected ear, apply
medication according to the veterinarian's instructions or
the instructions found on the label.
Your dog's veterinarian will prescribe the appropriate
treatment based on what has caused your dog's ear to become
infected. For instance, if your dog's ear infection was
caused by a yeast infection, the veterinarian will prescribe
an anti-fungal medication. If the infection was caused by a
bacteria, your dog will be prescribed antibiotics.
Medications for dog ear infections are typically applied
directly into the ears. However, if your dog has a severe
ear infection, the veterinarian may prescribe oral
treatment. The veterinarian may also clip the hair around
your dog's infected ear to allow more air to circulate in
it. Surgery, for reconstructing the ear canal so that it
drains better and easier, is the last recourse when topical
and oral treatments have failed.
While all dogs are prone to ear infections, those belonging
to breeds with large ears that flap over the outer ear canal
as well as those breeds of dogs with very small ear canals
are most susceptible. As a dog owner, it's your
responsibility to take care of your dog's well being. Take
proper care of your dog's ears and learn how to detect the
early signs of ear infections.