How to Detect and Treat a Dog Ear Infection

For most pet owners, detecting a dog ear infection is easy.  You will notice your pet pawing as his ear a bit more than usually, shaking his head more than he often does, and he may be rubbing his head on the ground, the sides of the couch, or any other piece of furniture.

Another telling sign of a dog ear infection is the different odor that you will notice coming from your dog’s ears.  Sometimes a yellow or blackish discharge is also present in the ears, and you may notice some swelling and redness of the ear flap and the ear canal.

The most troubling sign of all, and the most serious, is if your dog’s hearing seems to have become impaired or lost completely.  It is rare for a pet owner to not notice the ear infection prior to this point, but in some older animals the infection may increase substantially over a short period of time.  You may notice that your dog appears to be a bit disoriented and dizzy, walk in circles, and tilt their head.  More extreme cases of a dog ear infection also will affect the eyes, causing the eye or eyes to move in particular and unusual ways.

The dog ear infection is fortunately one that is usually quickly recognized, easily diagnosed, and when treated it heals completely.  Your veterinarian will use what is called an otoscope to help detect and diagnose a dog ear infection.  This tool allows the veterinarian to look deep within the ear canal and assess just how severe the infection is, and just what type of infection it is.

Though there are varying methods of treatment that are dependent upon the type and severity of the dog ear infection, typically a medicinal drop or ointment will be prescribed.  These will be administered right within the ear and may need to be used for up to 2 week’s time. It is important that the medicine is used for exactly as long as the veterinarian advises it to be used for.  A dog ear infection may appear to be cleared up by the fifth day or so, but the infection can still be lingering in the background despite the symptoms having seemingly disappeared.

Sometimes parasites are to blame for a dog ear infection.  In these situations, your pet will most likely be sedated and the parasites will then be removed.

There are some homeopathic methods of helping remedy a dog ear infection as well, which includes Tea Tree oil, marigold, myrrh and chamomile.  Discuss these options with your veterinarian prior to use.

Recommended natural remedies for dor ear infection care:

• Newton Homeopathics Ear Care
• Seven Forests Forsythia
• Only Natural Pet Ear Care with Tea Tree Oil

Click here to look video How to Treat Dog’s Ear Infection.