How to Maintain Your Dog’s Ears and Prevent Dog Ear Infections
Did you know that dogs can hear almost four times better than people and have a higher hearing frequency than we do? It’s true. They work with at least 18 muscles to capture different sounds, but they also have a longer ear canal, unlike their human parents. Enter ear infections.
An unwelcome guest in any dog, ear infections can run rampant, causing misery and distress in our four-legged furry friends.
While being one of the most common reasons for vet visits, you will be pleased to know that most dog ear infections can be easily treated if caught quickly.
But prevention is always better than a cure.
So, today we discover some common signs of ear infections, how to clean dog ears, and, more importantly, maintain healthy ears in that impawsibly adorable pup of yours.
Are you all ears? Because you’re going to want to hear this.
Dog Ear Infections and Other Ear Ailments
“Whatever could go wrong with my dog’s ears?” we hear you asking. Several problems can cause havoc on your dog’s ears, including:
Ear infections
Ear mites
Allergies
Excess moisture
Trauma
Ruptured eardrum
Polyp
A trapped object
Any and all of the above issues can send its ear’s natural pH balance into disarray. In addition, dogs with big ears or long, floppy ones are also prone to excess moisture in their ear structure.
Now dogs’ ears are typically more susceptible to infections than those of humans due to the L shape of their ear canals, especially if they take every opportunity to take a dip and go swimming, be it summer or winter.
As we said, if you catch it early, the ear infection can be treated easily with a quick visit to the vet.
However, if left untreated, it can cause discomfort and quickly develop into something more serious, causing things like coordination and balance issues and severe pain.
Sometimes, and this is the worst-case scenario, even facial paralysis.
ApiDrop
patented propolis formula for pet ear care
ApiDrop
patented propolis formula for pet ear care
Common Signs of a Dog Ear Infection
If you’ve ever had an ear infection, you know the level of discomfort they can cause. The same goes for your pooch.
An ear infection might be present if your furry bestie is showing these typical signs:
Head shaking
Tilting head
Strange odour
Pawing or rubbing its ear
Ear scabs or crusts
Itchy ears
Yellow, brown or bloody discharge
Redness on the inside of the ear
Swelling
Suppose that ear infection has taken a serious turn. In that case, you might even see an indication that it has lost its hearing, notice a loss of balance or coordination, strange eye movements, or even walking in circles.
Additionally, the causes of the issue can be dog ears with a yeast infection, fungus, and dog ear mites.
Treatment of Ear Infections in Dogs
Firstly, if you have any suspicions that your dog is suffering from an ear infection, take it straight to your trusted vet. They will thoroughly clean your pup’s ears using a medicated cleanser and possibly subscribe anti-inflammatory medication, antibiotics or topical treatment.
Following directions carefully and giving the complete prescribed treatment is essential in aiding the problem to go away as soon as possible. However, finishing the medication in full before the ear infection has disappeared may prompt recurring infections.
We also highly recommend a follow-up visit to the vet as there might be some traces of infection still left that are invisible to the common eye.
How Can Dog Ear Infections Be Prevented?
To avoid having to treat your dog’s ear infection is to prevent it in the first place.
The best way to do that is to invest in a daily ear solution that you can give them to keep those pesky infections at bay. Another is to clean your dog’s ears. But how often should you clean your dog’s ears?
Well, there’s no one paw fits all solution here, as it all depends on your dog’s breed and outdoor lifestyle.
Generally, once a month should do the trick. However, if you have a dog with long ears, such as a Basset Hound or a Cocker Spaniel, you might be looking at something like every few weeks or even on a weekly basis – particularly if they’re avid swimmers.
It’s best to consult your vet for an optimal time span.
Now, your dog’s ear cleaning doesn’t have to be anxiety-riddled by any means. Just think of it like a doggy day spa ritual.
Make sure they’re comfortable and lift their ear
Gently wipe at the ear’s entrance with damp cotton wool to remove excess dirt or wax
Insert a few drops of your vet-approved dog ear solution
Wipe away any excess with moist cotton wool
Repeat this process for the other ear
It really is as simple as that. Just don’t forget to give them a good scratch behind their ears.
Infections Get Out of Ear
Now, nothing is more glorious than a cute dog head tilt, but if yours is doing too much tilting lately, it might be a sign of the dreaded ear infection.
Keeping your pup’s ears dry, clean and healthy is the best way to go. With the right ear solution, you should have no problems. Hear, hear!