Dog Ear Infections

Show the same concern and love you'd show your children. Become aware of the signs of dog ear infections, how to avoid them, and seek treatment when your pet appears infected. A dog ear infection can be maddening and painful. Have your dog examined by a veterinarian, to determine proper medication or treatment.

The longer infection is present, the harder it is to get rid of.

Your veterinarian must make sure the eardrum is not damaged; some medications can result in hearing loss if given to a pet with a ruptured eardrum. A sample of the material in the canal for microscope examination should be done by the veterinarian to determine the organisms causing the infection. If there is more than one bacterium then a broad-spectrum antibiotic might be necessary with follow-up visits to your veterinarian to ensure treatment is working and infection has disappeared. With proper diagnosis and treatment, your dog's ear infection can be cured.

Dog ear infections are caused by many things. Wet ears not dried after swimming or bathing, buildup of ear wax, grass seeds and foxtails from running in brush, untreated ear mites, using cotton tips improperly to clean ears, and growths in the ear canal, can all lead to infection. However, if the dog has recurrent ear infections, an underlying problem such as improper diet, allergies or thyroid disease, may be the cause.

They need to be checked out.

If your dog is irritable, scratching its ears, rubbing them; if the ears look bloody, waxy or swollen; if a foul smell emanates from the ears; if your canine winces or cries when the ears are touched; all are signs of dog ear infection. Your pet may hold its head as still as possible, then to one side or down, shaking its head and opening its mouth. Dogs can become dizzy, exhibiting poor balance and coordination, if infection progresses to the inner ear. Dogs may walk around in circles, and vomit.

Untreated dog ear infections will progress deeper into the canine's ear. Otitis media usually results from infection spreading from the external ear canal to the middle ear. Middle ear infection can be difficult to clear up, with weeks passing before the infection disappears. Restricting activity of your pet may be necessary.

Causes of dog ear infection include bacteria; yeast ear infections cause redness, swelling, discharge, and foul odor.

A dog's ears are particularly susceptible, due to their structure. Dogs with floppy ears receive less air circulation and sunshine and have more problems than dogs whose ears stand up straight. Yeast loves dark, moist environments. Fresh air and sunshine are yeast's enemies.

The internal structure of a dog's ear allows water to get trapped, thereby keeping the whole inside of the ear much moister. Dogs are best able to avoid and recover from ear yeast infections if their overall immune system is healthy. Unhealthy dogs are more susceptible to infection or infestation than their healthy counterparts. A healthy diet substantially increases your dog's immunity.

Mites are highly contagious so transference between living creatures including people is possible.

Otodectes cynotis, better known as ear mites, visible with careful examination, are small parasitic creatures that live in your dog's ears or most anyplace on the host body causing severe itching, inflammation and infection.

Treatment involves medications and products used for flea control. For severe infestations in multiple-pet households, insecticides are sometimes used for treating the environment.

A Dog That Has Ear Mites

A concern for dogs that are professionally groomed is the practice of plucking hairs from the dog's ear. The serum then secreted from the pores is an excellent breeding ground for bacteria, a common cause of ear infection. Veterinarians generally discourage plucking the dog's ears.

The usual treatment of dog ear infections is administering medication and cleaning ears daily for 1-2 weeks. Remember, your pet's ears are uncomfortable and likely painful, be gentle and use caution. Ask if you don't know how to clean them.

Allergies may play a role in inflammation and subsequent infection of the dog's ears, especially food hypersensitivity dermatitis and canine atopy (allergic dermatitis). Dogs with these conditions often develop inflamed ears. The ears become itchy, creating an "itch-scratch-itch" cycle that causes scabs around the ear, hair loss, crustiness, raw skin, and a brown wax in the ear canals.

Become familiar with your dog's ears so you will notice early warning signs of infection.

Avoid dog ear infections by practicing preventive care -- especially important for animals with pendulous ears, lots of hair in their ears, allergies or other medical problems that render dogs prone to ear infections. A weekly ear cleaning with an approved cleansing solution can minimize or prevent dog ear infections.

Source: http://ezinearticles.com/?Dog-Ear-Infections&id=1019639