Labrador Retriever Dogs Blog

Dog yeast infection is very common for dogs, especially the older ones. Also, the organism called Malasezia is found normally on the dog skin, this is not developed into an yeast infection without certain conditions. Dog ear yeast infection develops in pets with long anf furry ears. Hoever, you should not mistaken it with ears infection. That is why a visit at your veterinarian will tell exactly what your dog has.

The main areas of where canine yeast infection appears are the ears and the skin, notably the belly, neck and feet. Usually is very easy to notice if your pet gets yeast due to its foul smell from the ears and sometimes leaking. If the infection is present on the skin, than usually the hair is lost and you can notice some patches on the skin.

Yeast infection in dogs can be prevent it very easily if you maintain a good hygiene of your pet. Yeast fungus is developing in wet, moist areas, so keeping your pet dry all the time and clean helps your pet not to get the infection.

Food is a major cause of developing canine yeast infection as it influence its immune system and also the level of yeast in its body, the same like humans. Vaccine is also known for getting yeast infection in dogs.

To be sure that your dog have really yeast infection, a trip to your vet should clarify this. Sometimes, a test on microscope from your dog skin can tell if it has the Malasezzia, but is not always clear.

Steroids are a major cause for getting candidiasis  in dogs, so you should avoid them as much as possible. Also, having treatments with antibiotics is bad for the immune system of your pet. Try to give them only when it is really necessary. Also, nowadays it is more difficult to know when we actually eat antibiotics, as many animals are given antibiotics in their food and we end up eating meat with antibiotics. The same thing with the food for your dog. If your puppy gets chronic yeast infection, you may take a look at his diet and origin of its food.

Does your Goldendoodle have an ear infection?

*Tucker with his mom,  Leslie*

The Goldendoodle is a wonderful, low shedding, low dander hybrid who is terrific with children of all ages.  They do, however, have their issues.  With all that cuteness comes the long, low hanging ears with lots of hairs covering them.  Because the hairs are long and thick surrounding the ears,  infections can occur.

Since 1999,  we have come to know that the Goldendoodle hybrid comes in three coat types:

Shaggy. Curly. Smooth.

Among the three coat types of the Goldendoodle dog, the curly coat doodle seems to have more issues with their ears.  The simple reason?  Hair growing deep within the ear canal traps moisture and can cause bacteria to grow.  Most Goldendoodles also enjoy swimming. Whether at the lake, swimming pool or the beach,  water can become your Goldendoodle’s enemy.  The design of the ear itself, for the Goldendoodle dog,  can be one of the problems they suffer these issues.

*Murphy is a Goldendoodle from Goldendoodle World*

The fact that the Goldendoodle has multiple hairs covering the ear flap, is the perfect environment for creating ear infections!  Bacteria thrives on moisture, especially in warm, dark, enclosed areas.  Bacterial ear infections can cause your Goldendoodle tremendous pain and suffering.

Because the Goldendoodle has such thick, long, hairs over the tops of the ears,  the ear itself has a difficult time drying out.  It doesn’t help matters much if hairs are also growing from deep within the ear canal.  The curly coat Goldendoodle seems to have more issues with hairs growing deep within the ear, which is very similar to the Poodle.  The shaggy coat and the smooth coat Goldendoodle do not seem to have these issues, although they can still suffer from ear infections should moisture build up or a yeast infection occur.  Another reason Goldendoodles can have ear infections is due to what is called, “ear mites”.   These are pesky little bugs that leave brown matter within your doodle’s ears and can leave a very foul smell.  Although ear mites can easily be killed with medicated drops, you will want your vet to ensure this is what is causing the problem before treating.

If we look at the design of the canine ear itself,  you will see that the canal begins right at the opening of the Goldendoodle’s ear and there is almost an immediate drop followed by a slight angle going straight down to the ear drum itself.   It doesn’t take much for moisture to build up within the ear.

What are the signs that your Goldendoodle may have an ear infection?

Your Goldendoodle may paw at his or her ears or shake their head quite a bit.  Ear infections are very painful.  You may notice that your Goldendoodle is rubbing his head against objects trying to relieve the pain.  While your Goldendoodle is unable to directly speak to you,  their body lanquage is letting you know something is wrong.

It is also possible to mistake an ear infection for a tooth problem!  I once thought one of my dogs had an ear infection but after taking her to the vet,  it was discovered that she needed a tooth to be pulled.  So its very important to take your lovely hybrid to see your vet if you are witnessing the signs above.  Your canine can lose its hearing if an ear infection is left untreated.  The ears can become red and swollen.  Skin infections can occur from constant scratching.

Sometimes your doodle may tilt his or her head to one side as well.  Yeast infections can occur for multiple reasons.  Dogs who do a lot of swimming at the lake can suffer from yeast infections within their ears because there is a lot of bacteria within the water itself.  Yeast infections can be controlled with medicated ear drops provided to you by your vet.

If you notice any of the signs mentioned above going on with your Goldendoodle, please make sure to schedule a vet visit.  Immediate treatment will prevent a simple problem from becoming worse.

*About the author:  Dee Gerrish founded Goldendoodle World in 1999.  She has written extensively about the Goldendoodle dog through various blogs and articles.  Dee is a private, professional, hobby breeder and began with purebred Golden Retrievers in 1996.  Dee Gerrish is one of the original founders for the Goldendoodle dog in the southern region of the United States.  Dee was the first breeder to register the Goldendoodle dog with a ligit kennel club,  Universal Kennel International.

If you notice your dog has been shaking his head a bit too often and scratching its ears with its paws or even trying to rub its ears on the ground, your dog may have some form of ear infections. In some severe cases, they may even not walk properly if the ear infection has gone into its ear canals and affected its sense of balance.

This is likely to happen for dogs with long drooping ears as the inside of the ears is not well ventilated or aired. Another possibility is that water could have gone inside the ears when you were bathing your dog and the dampness provided an ideal environment for ear infection to happen.

Firstly, try to have a look at the ears of the dog and use a cotton bud to clean the ears but do not push the cotton bud too far in the ear. You may see some ear wax and they may be dark brown or black in color. In worse case, this wax may have already appeared on the outside of the ears and you can see it immediately.

However, you should not attempt to use water to clean it unless it is on the exterior or easily accessible part of the ear. You should also not pour or drip water into the ear as it may make it worse. Just use wet cotton wool to wipe it.

After having confirmed that there is an unusual presence of ear wax or if the dog continues to show irritation by shaking its head or scratching its ears, despite your having done some minimal exterior cleansing of the ear, please take your dog to the vet for consultation.

My beagle has quite a bad ear infection and the ear wax can be easily seen on the exterior of its ear. I suppose it was due to the shaking of its head and flapping of its long and drooping ears. I took it to the vet and he cleaned its ears by using a pair of long forceps wrapped round with cotton wool after applying some ear cleansing solution. The vet also took a sample of the ear wax for analysis and gave my beagle an injection. I was also taught to clean the ears of the beagle daily for a week and subsequently, on a weekly basis.

To prevent future occurrence of the ear infection, I was also advised to be careful not to let any water dripping into the ears when I bathe him. I also took the effort to clean and dry his ears after his bathe since then. Importantly, you must be observant and watch out for any unusual behavior displayed by your dog. Catch the problem as early as possible and get it treated immediately.

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

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.

I will get straight to the point on dog ear infection home remedies and also discuss the causes of most dog ear infections. Being able to treat our dogs with home remedies not only makes it easier our pets because they can be treated in the comfortable surroundings of their homes but it is also a cheaper method for us as owners. Dog ear infections can be treated like many other ailments and illnesses with home remedies.

Here is a list of most of the dog ear infection home remedies I have found being used today.

DOG EAR INFECTION HOME REMEDIES

Balsamic vinegar is being used to clean dog’s ears. One teaspoon placed on a cotton ball will do the job just fine. Make sure to dry your dog’s ears after using the balsamic vinegar. Cod liver oil or vitamin E will work when used as ear drops. I remember well when I was a child getting cod liver oil as drops in my ears and I remember it feeling good especially when warmed prior to placing the drops in the ear. The vitamin E can be used from the soft gels most of us take regularly. Another ear drop method is using liquid that has been infused with garlic. Crush up the garlic and place in oil for 1 to 2 weeks. Strain the garlic and use warm liquid as an ear drop. Of course you can use other oils such as vitamin E oil or the cod liver oil mentioned above. Apple cider vinegar can be used as a cleaning agent for cleaning out your dog’s ears. Treatment with apple cider vinegar is also very soothing to your dog.

CAUSES OF DOG EAR INFECTIONS

Lack of air flow – dogs with floppy ears are more susceptible to ear infections Bacterial infection Wax buildup Ear mites

For other great information on pet illnesses and home remedies read on thru the last paragraph and click on the links. Great secrets await that will help with caring for your pets and saving mega bucks on vet bills.

Ear problems are most probably one of the most common and recurring health complaints to plague our furry companions. Some dogs are more prone to ear infections than others. In this article we’ll take a look at which dogs are more likely to suffer from ear infections, how to spot them and how home remedies for dog ear infection can help your pet.

Which dogs are more likely to suffer?

*      Dogs with longer, floppy ears possess a more fertile breeding ground for bacteria and yeast infections as their ears provide a warmer and moister environment that is well sheltered.

*      Those dogs who are getting a little older tend to suffer more from ear infections as their immune systems tend to get a little more fragile and are less able to fight of the infections.

*      Also suffering are those dogs who spend more time outdoors. This is especially true if they like swimming as even the most vigorous shaking session can’t clear all the water out!

*      Finally, dogs with weakened immune systems will struggle with ear trouble.

Tell tale signs of ear troubles

*      Keep an eye on your dog to see whether he’s shaking his head a lot.

*      Is he scratching his ears?

*      Can you see a discharge from his ears?

*      Do his ears smell bad?

Home remedies for dog ear infection

The key to avoiding ear infections is to maintain a healthy balance of the micro-organisms that inhabit our dogs’ ears. The following are steps that you can take to promote good ear health. If you are concerned and his ear infections are not clearing up, please consult a veterinarian.

*      A healthy, well exercised dog on a healthy diet will fight off more infections than an ill, sedentary and overweight dog.

*      Feed him a varied diet containing as much raw food as possible. When manufactured food is used, ensure that it is of premium quality.

*      Groom him and clean his outer ears often.

*      Use a herbal ear solution. This will help to clear his ear canals and support the right balance of flora in his ear canal.

*      If he suffers from recurrent ear infections, use an anti-bacterial herbal remedy to further support healthy bacteria.

In this article, “How To Avoid A Dog Ear Infection Or Other Canine Ear Problems”, we investigate the some causes of ear infections and other related ear problems as well as providing some pratical advice on how to keep your dog’s ear in good working order.

Regular examination of your dogs ears should be another integral part of your grooming routine. Your examination should not only be checking for dirt, excessive wax, offensive odors, but also for tears and swellings. There are three main parts to a dogs ears: the outer flap (the pinna), the ear canal, and the middle or inner ear.

The pinna can either be pendulous (floppy) or erect. It can be covered in long hair in breeds such as spaniels and setters or with short hair in breeds such as shepherds and terriers. The ear canal is L-shaped. It starts of at a vertical angle and then makes a horizontal turn. Because of this shape we can only make a cursory examination. A veterinarian can make a complete examination using a device called an otoscope. Using the otoscope the veterinarian can also check the inner ear.

A dog which shakes its head, scratches or rubs it head against the floor or furniture is indicative of a dog with a possible ear problem. Offensive odors could also be indicative of an ear infection. These as well as tears and swellings on the outer ear should be checked and treated by a veterinarian.

Cleaning of the ear canal can be accomplished by using various solutions. There are cleansing solutions, ear-wax loosening and removal solutions and ear drying solutions available through your veterinarian and pet stores. Before putting anything in your dogs ears, consult with your veterinarian.

If the ear flap is dirty, it can be cleaned with a soft moist cloth or gauze wrapped around a finger tip. Q-tips can be used inside the small outer crevices. Gentleness is essential so as not to cause trauma to the outer ear or cause wax or dirt to be forced down the ear canal. Dogs with excessive hair such as spaniels should have the hair on the underside of the flap removed by trimming it, thus causing adequate ventilation and drainage. A build-up of dirty waxy hair can seal off the ear canal creating an environment suitable for bacterial growth such as yeast infections, or a breeding ground for parasites such as ear mites.

Another good time to check your dogs ears is when you come home from exercising in open fields or in the forest (hunting or tracking). Check for bugs such as ticks and for tears. A good brushing and bathing can remove dirt, bugs and allergens, which can also affect the ears.

Because of the shape of the dogs ears damage to the ear drum is rare but caution should be exercised when cleaning the ears. Again, never put anything in your dogs ears unless advised by your veterinarian and use extreme gentleness when cleaning the ears. Consult your veterinarian immediately if you have any concerns. An ounce of prevention is always worth a pound of cure.