Labrador Retriever Dogs Blog

Anyone who has ever experienced a middle or inner ear infection knows the pain and uncomfortable feelings associated with it. Now imagine not beginning able to communicate this pain with others. This is exactly how your dog feels when he has an ear infection. The first and often most difficult step in treating a middle or inner ear infection in a dog is identifying the signs and symptoms that indicate that your dog has one. If left untreated, these infections can lead to much worse issues.

The first signs to look for that suggest your dog may be experiencing ear pain are head shaking, scratching at the ear, discharge from the ear, or inflammation of the face and side of the head. Any of these signs may indicate that the dog has an ear infection. Abnormal earwax build up that has a foul odor often indicates that an infection inside the ear is present.

Middle and inner ear infections in dogs are caused by some form of infection that started on the outer ear and then progressed inward to the inner ear. Anytime that an obvious infection exists on the outside of the ear, be certain to treat it promptly before the infection moves to the inner ear. Infections from ear mites, allergies, improper hygiene, and poor environmental conditions can all lead to middle and infer ear infections in dogs. In most cases, these infections are not caused by bacterial infections as seen in humans.

Any time that there is infection inside of the ear, it is considered a more severe case than an outer ear infection. These infections seem to be more prominent in dogs with floppy ears, such as cocker spaniels. It is important to keep the ears of these breeds groomed. It is also important to periodically examine the inside of the ears of these dogs.

Once you notice signs of an ear infection, contact your vet for an appointment. A veterinarian will examine your dog’s ear with an otoscopic exam and possibly even x-ray. In many cases, the doctor will recommend that the dog be anesthetized so that the ear can be carefully examined and flushed out for treatment.

Treatments for mild infections usually include some form of oral antibiotic along with the treatment of a topical antifungal cream or antibiotic ointment. Eardrops may also be used.

Before treating your dog’s ear with medicine, it will likely be recommended that you gently clean the ear. You will need to treat any ear mites that are present. To prevent re-infection, continue to carry out good hygiene practices of keeping the dog’s ear clean and neatly groomed from longer ear hairs.

Inner or middle ear infections that go untreated for lengthy amounts of time may result in the need for surgical procedures for the dog. Identifying the need for medical attention and making a trip to the vet’s office as soon as possible is the best method for treating a dog with an inner or middle ear infection.

Just as people suffer from hay fever in the spring and fall, pets can get inhalant allergies, called atopy. Atopy is a common disease, affecting 10% to 15% of dogs. The age of onset varies form 6 months to 12 years, with 70% of affected dogs showing clinical signs between 1 and 3 years. Atopy signs are usually seasonal in the beginning, but 80% of dogs eventually experience year-round symptoms. Atopy is associated with irritation in certain body parts of dogs, including the flank, feet, base of the tail, and facial areas around the eyes, mouth, and ears. Female dogs are more likely to be affected than males.

Chronic ear infections are commonly caused by inhalant allergies. This is the most common cause of persistent ear infections in dogs. In certain breeds of dogs, the ears are covered by an ear flap which makes the inside of the ear canal moist and warm, somewhat like an incubator, which is the perfect environment for germs.

Dogs also have a lot of mast cells which can release histamine and other chemicals which are allergic. Thus, it is usual for dogs with allergies to have irritated and itchy ears. It is a long process where the ears are irritated by allergies and respond by producing more ear wax. Due to the inflamed ear canals and additional ear wax and the extra moistness and warmth of the ear canals of dogs, it is now obvious why dogs are so prone to ear infections.

It is important to control these ear infections early and consistently. If this is not done, the inflammation changes the structure of the ear canal and makes it harder to treat the infection. As a result, in many cases more difficult bacteria to kill eventually come to inhabit the ear. Take your dog to your veterinarian and find out if this is the problem and work with your veterinarian to develop a plan to control this problem consistently.

Atopy is sometimes controllable using a combination of essential fatty acid supplementation and an antihistamine like Atarax. This combination only works in about 10 to 15% of dogs but when it does work it is nice because there are far fewer side effects that with the use of corticosteroids.

Ear infections in dogs ears can be very painful and serious, and should be treated immediately by a veterinarian, not ourselves.

How do we know if our dog has an ear infection?

By doing a regular inspection of our dogs ears will be the first step. Be familiar with his ears; know the typical smell, as that may be the first sign of something wrong. If there is an infection or ear mites, the smell may change, a foul odor is very typical of mites or infection. And if you see a dark, waxy type discharge, then this is another symptom of mites or infection. Either way, your dog needs to be checked and treated.

Even if you suspect, it may be something as simple as allergies, it would be better to be safe than sorry and let your loving dog suffer. They depend on you for their care and they have total trust in you. So when you think of it that way, you want to do everything in your power to make sure they stay healthy and happy.

The breeds with the longer floppy ears are going to be more prone to ear infections to those that have the upright ears. I have a black lab and a Chihuahua, ears of each kind. And I always watch for their behavior when it comes to their ears. When they are healthy, they leave them alone, but if there is pain, or discharge, they will paw at them or try to scratch. Dogs will also shake their head back and forth as if trying to shake something out of their ears.

How can you prevent ear infections?

Between normal checkups check your dogs ears on a regular basis. When you are playing with him or her, just casually look in the ears; it doesn’t need to be a form of trauma for them. Another good time is when you are bathing your dog. Never, ever stick anything in your dog’s ear. It is always a better idea to see your vet when it comes to anything to do with this very fragile part of your pet’s body. Their ears are not like ours, they are very sensitive and have parts that can easily be touched and damaged.

There is one method that a vet will recommend for the owner to do. If you sense a foul smell, or something has changed, you may want to flush your dog’s ear with warm water. There are ear washes for dogs that contain Tea Tree Oil; this is very gentle and very effective in cleaning the ears. It is a natural antiseptic, antibacterial and fungicidal, which will help to keep your dog’s ears clear and infection free.

Make your dogs ears a part of your routine, whether bathing or when sitting quietly with him. Give your dog the care that he or she needs and can’t do for him or herself. They can’t tell when something is wrong; it is our job to make sure they are well and carefree.

Just as a dogs life should be!

Dogs suffer from ear problems all too often. Is your pet shaking his or her head a lot? Or maybe scratching away at the ears with its paw? This could well be a sign of an ear infection. The good news is that you can treat most ear infections with home remedies. Dog ear mites can be eradicated with the details shown in this article.

Ear infections are most commonly caused by microscopic ear mites. They are tiny parasitic arachnids that feed on the capillaries in your pet’s ear. Invisible to the naked eye, they irritate the tender skin which then causes inflammation. Wax production increases and builds up in the narrowed ear canal and can cause blockages. No wonder they start shaking their heads!

The best way to treat the ear infection is with a herbal remedy that will help to clear the ear canal, soothe the inflammation and restore the balance of healthy bacteria.

Follow these instructions to apply:

Tilt his head to the side, lift the ear flap and add a few drops of the solution to fall into the ear canal. Hold the ear flap down and massage gently. Wipe any excess away. He’s going to want to shake his head afterwards so let him before repeating on the other ear. Wipe the ear flap clean with cotton wool. Don’t put anything inside the ear canal as you’re likely to do some serious damage. Please don’t use Q-tips or cotton buds.

If you have any other pets in the house, they all need to be treated too. Ear mites are very contagious and are often picked up from other animals. This is the most likely source of the infection.

Prevention must be a part of any home remedies. Dog ear mites can be kept at bay by taking a holistic approach to your dog’s health.

Make sure they have a good nutritious diet. Dogs should be groomed regularly and checked for any skin issues. Bathe your dog once every couple of months. Keep dog bedding clean and regularly washed. You can also use a maintenance dose of the herbal ear infection treatment if your dog suffers frequently from ear mites.

In summary, if your dog is shaking his or her head, then it’s a sign that there could be something wrong with their ears. Ear mites are the most common culprit. This is really uncomfortable for your pet so please take action straight away. If you follow the steps above you will be able to prevent and treat most dog ear infections yourself.

Dog ear infections are common in dogs and other pets alike, these infections can be caused by numerous situations and causes but as your pet relies heavily on their hearing it can be extremely annoying for them as well as soar and painful.

The shape of a dog’s inner ear is the cause for many of the different ear infections due to it being able to collect moisture from playing around water or in rain, ear wax, dirt and unclean debris, and unwanted parasites.

To identify and determine whether your dog has an ear infection or ear related condition, you will have to study your dog’s behaviour. Common ear infection activities include, rubbing their heads and ears against objects in your house like sofas and tables in order to stop the irritating ear, tilting of the head, and a red looking, soar, foul smelling ear with possible discharge.

To start you should take your pet to a vet to properly diagnose the infection that has occurred they will then probably issue you with medication or need to have the dog sedated in order to clean out the foreign debris. This process can be a difficult one for a vet and may have complications in finding the correct medication.

Dog ear infections that are diagnosed correctly can more than likely be cured, but taking your dog to the vet is crucial, without this step you will be putting your dog through more pain and it will take longer to become better.

To give your dog the prescribed medication you will need to raise the dog’s ear and apply the medication to the vertical part of the ear so it can seep down into the correct area of the dog’s ear. Then holding the base of the ear flap with your finger and thumb massage the ear canal and you will hear a squishing sound to note that the medication is in the correct area, then clean the outside and around the ear with alcohol to stop further dirt from getting into the ear to complete the process.

If you own a pet then it would be a must to keep your dogs always tidy. Dogs are prone to lot of diseases and infections. Among the various problems faced by the dog the ear infections tends to be more. If they are not treated in time then they would eternally damage a dog’s hearing. Dog infections are something like there are improbable buildups of troublesome germs such as yeast and bacteria principally trigger an infection in the outer ear canal of the dogs. Even mites are also frequent parasites that feed on the blood vessels of a pet’s ear.

You can get to know that the dogs’ ear is infected if there is an irritation in the year, increased build up of wax, itchiness, pain when touched, odor from the canal, and a discharge that is in either brown, yellow or black. However there are different kinds of dog ear infection. They can be outer, middle and inner ear infections. Mostly the outer part is the commonly effected area. Infections happen when wetness cannot get away the ear passage. This is moderately frequent in pets due to the inside formation of the ear. The ear canal begins straight, and then drops perpendicularly, building the ideal pooling position for wetness to assemble. When you feel there is an ear infection get it cured and diagnosed immediately otherwise the condition could get even more worsen. Ear infection is one health fear that all dog owners should be knowledgeable about because of its high number of noted cases.

Even the ear infection will be easily noticeable when you find your dog shaking or cocking its head often and at an odd angle. It may also rub its ear constantly because of irritation. In such circumstances it’s advisable to consult the veterinarian. They will usually recommend a liquid medicine which is placed inside the ear everyday. But before that one needs to ensure that the dog’s ear canal is cleaned properly or the medicine won’t be of much help. Also to clean their ears you can use a cleaning solution. However insert a small number of drops of the medicine inside the ear and then turn over their ear dither back over and massage gently. Finally the medicine will help in breaking up the substance that is inside. Then the gunk gets loosen and they can be removed with cottons swabs or a smooth cloth to take out the wax and filth. So by keeping your dogs’ ear clean you can avoid frequent ear infections would come about as a sticky medical condition. Some times these ear infections leave to worst situations like formation of a tumor inside the ear canal. However the most effective treatment of any disease is by elevating the immune system.

Here are simple four steps to keep them away from infection like:

Changing your dog’s diet.
Keep the dogs ear clean and dry
Avoid giving them too much antibiotics.
Usage of anti-microbial herbs

 

Ear infections not only cause dogs pain and irritation, they can cause permanent damage and hearing loss if left untreated. Ear infections are very common in dogs, and are probably among the most frequent conditions treated by your veterinarian. Because dog ear infections do not go away without treatment and neglecting to treat one can lead the condition to worsen, it is important that dog owners be aware of the signs of an ear infection and seek veterinary care if symptoms are evident.

A dog suffering from an ear infection will usually show certain types of outward behavior in reaction to the ear pain and irritation. If your dog exhibits any of these signs, it is a good indication that you should have him or her evaluated by your veterinarian:

-scratching the ear(s)
-presence of ear discharge
-shaking or tilting head
-swelling and/or redness in the ear area
-foul odor from the ear
-pain or sensitivity in ear area

Some symptoms may be caused or worsened by the dog’s reaction to the ear infection. For instance, an infection may cause the dog to repeatedly scratch the ear, which can prompt the development of a secondary infection. An untreated infection in the outer ear, which would generally be the most easily treated, can advance into the middle ear, which is more serious. Excessive head shaking can also lead to other health issues such as broken blood vessels. If you suspect an ear infection in your dog, it is recommended to seek medical attention sooner than later to constrain the severity of the infection and prevent other potential problems.

The underlying cause of an ear infection in a dog determines the type of treatment needed. Though there are several issues can be the root cause of ear infections, including ear mites, matted hair in the ear canal, or the accumulation of wax, ear infections are generally categorized in one of two ways – bacterial or fungal. Bacterial ear infections are caused by an excess of bacteria, which thrive particularly well in environments of high moisture and low airflow. This is one reason that a physical obstruction can lead to the development of an infection. Fungal infections include yeast infections, a very common cause of ear infections prompted by an overgrowth of yeast. Without treatment, fungal infections can be spread to other parts of the dog’s body. An examination by your veterinarian will determine what type of treatment is needed for your pet.

Some dogs experience chronic ear infections that are frustrating and costly to their owners. Chronic ear infections can be caused by underlying allergies or other health conditions. Dog breeds with dangling ears such as Basset Hounds and Cocker Spaniels are particularly prone to ear infections.

Usually, ear infections in dogs can be easily cured with the right kind of treatment. Many veterinarians recommend properly cleaning your dog’s ears on a regular basis, or having regular professional cleanings, to help identify the symptoms of an ear infection as early as possible.

When it comes to ear infection in dogs, a lot of pet owners are doubtful as to whether or not the problem can truly be solved by herbal remedies. The use of herbs and natural treatments either for a person or for an animal is not yet widely accepted.

However, there are times when owners are left with no other choice but to use these over-the-kitchen-counter remedies rather than give nothing to their ailing pets at all.

When it comes to ear infections, it is important that you first determine the very thing that is causing the infection. Most ear infections are caused by mites. But don’t outwardly assume so. Better to first inspect the ears of your pet thoroughly. Ear infection may also be caused by foreign objects finding its way inside the dog’s ear. If you can, bring your pet to the vet. Otherwise, go to the kitchen and find herbal remedies like apple cider vinegar or cod liver oil to help ease the discomfort.

If you decide to give an herbal treatment therapy to your pet, it is necessary that you take note of its improvement. If you don’t see anything positive happening to your dog since you have applied the cure, you might as well stop it because your dog is not responsive to the treatment anyway. This is also a sign that you really have to take the dog to the vet before anything worse happen to it.

The veterinarian would normally prescribe antibiotics to your pet. Depending on the condition of its ear, oral medicines may be given. Otherwise, topical treatments would suffice. You have to be very consistent when giving your dog these medicines because any changes in the schedule or dosage may affect the rate of recovery of your pet.

You might think that ear infection in dogs is a minor problem. However, your dog could be suffering a lot from it and is just not exhibiting pain. When left untreated for weeks, dog ear infection may lead to total loss of hearing. Worse, your dog may develop a much severe disease because of it. Ear infections may lead to brain problems because the pus and the bacteria start to penetrate your dog’s head. When this occurs, it would be a lot harder to treat your dog. No herbal remedy, or any other type of medicine for that matter, can truly help it.

Therefore, you should always check your dog’s ear whenever you can. Dog breeds that wear their ear down are most susceptible to ear infections because air is not properly circulating around it. As such, you have to periodically take your dog to the grooming center just to make sure that its ears are clean and healthy at all times.

Keep in mind that you don’t have to physically clean the ears of your dog. Dogs have a natural way of keeping their ears healthy. Your job is to merely check that there’s no pus, foul smell, or discharges abnormally coming out of their ears. When you observe any of these, better take your dog to the vet right away for proper diagnosis.

Ear infection, no matter how mild, requires a veterinarian’s attention. While some infections can possibly heal on its own, the vet should always be consulted so that the right treatment therapy is provided to your pets. The cure of dog ear infection should start the moment it is diagnosed. Otherwise, the condition may worsen. Ear infection is one health concern that all dog owners should be well-informed about because of its high number of noted cases.

There are different types of dog ear infection– the outer, middle, and inner ear infections. The primary symptoms of this disease are foul-smelling wax discharges, swelling, redness, pain, and inflammation. Oftentimes, the cases of inner and middle ear infections are a lot harder to treat than that of outer ear infections.

If your dog is suffering from this health concern, you will find it shaking or cocking its head frequently and at an unusual angle. It may also rub its ear incessantly because of irritation. In worse cases, dogs would develop balance problems and hearing impairment due to the disease.

There are different reasons why ear infection in dogs develops. Sometimes, it is due to bacterial and yeasts finding its way in the dog’s ears. Mites may cause this disease as well. So if your dog has some parasites, be sure that you do what it takes to eliminate them from your pet’s body. Allergies, underlying diseases, and foreign objects may trigger the problem as well.

If your dog is suffering from ear infection, anti-bacterial medications and ear drops are usually the foremost cures. However, it is strongly advised that you don’t just buy over-the-counter medications as they may not necessarily help your pets. Instead, talk to the vet, ask for a prescription, and follow his advice.

For milder cases of ear infection, there are home remedies that you can use to help alleviate the discomfort that your dog goes through. Sometimes, it is necessary to provide your dog with both the medicines prescribed by the vet and the remedies found around the house to achieve fast relief from ear infections.

But more than treatment, dog owners should be more concerned on how to prevent ear infections. Regular grooming and proper hygiene can help a lot. For as long as you know how to take care of your pets properly, infections and all types of diseases shouldn’t be a concern for you.

If left untreated, ear infection could pave the way to a host of complex health concerns for your dog. Aside from deafness, your dog can develop tumors and diseases that are hard to treat. The bottom line is that simple ear infection can develop into diseases with complications are next to impossible to reverse. And these diseases shouldn’t have occurred in your beloved pets, if you were only there to give them the necessary medical attention.

So the next time you see your pets irritable, scratching its ears often, and has abnormally high ear wax excretion, better be ready for an appointment with the vet. Keeping your dog’s health problems at minimum could help both of you greatly in the long run.

Ear infection, no matter how mild, requires a veterinarian’s attention. While some infections can possibly heal on its own, the vet should always be consulted so that the right treatment therapy is provided to your pets. The cure of dog ear infection should start the moment it is diagnosed. Otherwise, the condition may worsen. Ear infection is one health concern that all dog owners should be well-informed about because of its high number of noted cases.

There are different types of dog ear infection- the outer, middle, and inner ear infections. The primary symptoms of this disease are foul-smelling wax discharges, swelling, redness, pain, and inflammation. Oftentimes, the cases of inner and middle ear infections are a lot harder to treat than that of outer ear infections.

If your dog is suffering from this health concern, you will find it shaking or cocking its head frequently and at an unusual angle. It may also rub its ear incessantly because of irritation. In worse cases, dogs would develop balance problems and hearing impairment due to the disease.

There are different reasons why ear infection in dogs develops. Sometimes, it is due to bacterial and yeasts finding its way in the dog’s ears. Mites may cause this disease as well. So if your dog has some parasites, be sure that you do what it takes to eliminate them from your pet’s body. Allergies, underlying diseases, and foreign objects may trigger the problem as well.

If your dog is suffering from ear infection, anti-bacterial medications and ear drops are usually the foremost cures. However, it is strongly advised that you don’t just buy over-the-counter medications as they may not necessarily help your pets. Instead, talk to the vet, ask for a prescription, and follow his advice.

For milder cases of ear infection, there are home remedies that you can use to help alleviate the discomfort that your dog goes through. Sometimes, it is necessary to provide your dog with both the medicines prescribed by the vet and the remedies found around the house to achieve fast relief from ear infections.

But more than treatment, dog owners should be more concerned on how to prevent ear infections. Regular grooming and proper hygiene can help a lot. For as long as you know how to take care of your pets properly, infections and all types of diseases shouldn’t be a concern for you.

If left untreated, ear infection could pave the way to a host of complex health concerns for your dog. Aside from deafness, your dog can develop tumors and diseases that are hard to treat. The bottom line is that simple ear infection can develop into diseases with complications are next to impossible to reverse. And these diseases shouldn’t have occurred in your beloved pets, if you were only there to give them the necessary medical attention.

So the next time you see your pets irritable, scratching its ears often, and has abnormally high ear wax excretion, better be ready for an appointment with the vet. Keeping your dog’s health problems at minimum could help both of you greatly in the long run.