Do you ever wonder why your dogs produce pungent odors or discharge from the ears? These all may be a sign of an ear infection. Ear infections are mostly caused by bacteria or yeast. Excessive hair, wax, and moisture can be also be contributing factors. Hence most dogs with long floppy ears are more susceptible than others as they get less natural ventilation through the ears. Become an expert! Know all the Know all the signs and symptoms of ear infections. Stop them at the early stages. It’s always important to inspect your dog’s health regularly. Keep an eye on your dog and avoid unnecessary health problems.
How Professionals Diagnose Ear Infections
When you take your dog to the vet, they will do an ear inspection within the canal and eardrum. They will then sample the discharge from the ear. From the ear sample, they may find bacteria, parasites, or yeast. Often your veterinarian will prescribe either an oral form of medication or something that you can apply. They will also tell you to keep an eye on your dog’s ear even after the infection is gone. This is because it isn’t uncommon for an ear infection to redevelop. So make sure to keep one eye open!
Symptoms and Signs of Ear Infections in Your Dog
Here is a list of ways to tell if your dog has an ear infection or not:
- Pungent ear odors
- Swelling/Redness in the ear canal
- Discolored discharge from the ears
- Scabbing/Crusting around the ears
- Excessive scratching and rubbing around the ears
- Excessive head shaking
- Splotching hair growth around the ear(s)
What to Do When You Detect an Ear Infection
- Check for the listed symptoms
- Once you detect the symptoms to be true on your dog, take him to the vet
- Let the professionals actually examine and proclaim whether or not the infection is there
- Give your dog the treatment prescribed by your Vet
- Keep an eye on your dog’s ears for the next few weeks to see if there are reoccurring symptoms
Ear Infection Prevention
Regular ear cleaning and check-ups are essential for maintaining good health and avoid ear infections. Dogs are very active animals and can easily run into some health-related troubles. Always stay alert and keep an eye on your dog. They are more susceptible to health issues than they seem. For day to weekly ear cleaning, choose a milder cleaner. This is so that when your dog gets an infection, you aren’t pushed to purchase an even stronger cleansing solution. A highly acidic solution can irritate your dog’s healthy ears. Be careful what you buy and use. Go through the list of signs and symptoms carefully, then check your dog’s ears attentively.
A Quick Checklist for Ear Infection Prevention
- Check your dog’s ear regularly go discharge, odors, and/ or swelling/redness
- Dry your dog’s ears after showers
- Always clean your dog’s outer ear if it looks dirty
- Remove excess hairs around the ears
For further advice on how to carefully clean your dog’s ears, check out this article: Tips on how to clean your dog’s ears carefully
Conclusion
The best solution to preventing ear infections in your dog is to check their health as often as you can. You don’t need to clean them daily, just check on them regularly. The point is to help your dogs ventilate their ears and remove excess hairs. Actively looking after your dog can only prevent undesirable infections and diseases. Try your best to stay on top of it for your dog’s sake.
