A lot of dogs suffer from ear infections. It is one of the most common health problems in dogs.
Unfortunately, the treatment is not simple, said veterinarian Jennifer Coates in “4 Tips for Treating Ear Infections” in the PetMD website.
“While they may seem like quick-and-easy issues to deal with, they can actually lead to some serious health complications for dogs, “Coates said.
When you see signs of an ear infection, bring your dog to the vet immediately.
“Chronic dog ear infections can lead to permanent alterations in the anatomy of a dog’s ears, making future infections more likely and more difficult to treat,” Coates warned.
When you see these signs, bring your dog to the vet immediately and have your dog’s ears cleaned properly.
“While it may be tempting to try to clean your dog’s ears, this can actually cause more damage or be very painful for your dog,” Coates warned.
“Go to your veterinarian and allow them to properly and safely clean all of the ‘gunk’ out of your dog’s ears. In severe cases, a veterinarian may need to sedate your dog to thoroughly flush out their ears down to the level of the eardrum,” Coates said,
“Once clean, your veterinarian will then thoroughly examine the eardrum to determine the root cause of your dog’s ear infection,” Coates added.
Follow Vet’s Directions at Home
Once your dog has been assessed fully, the vet will prescribe the most effective dog ear infection treatment for your dog. Follow the instructions.
Never use products in your dog’s infected ear that you have not discussed with your veterinarian.
“Certain topical medications can cause deafness when used on pets with ruptured eardrums,” Coates warned.
Also, “Dog ear infections that involve structures behind the eardrum will require more aggressive treatment,” Coates said.
If your veterinarian will suggest you clean your dog’s ears, use the product he or she has recommended.
Never use cotton swabs or any object to dig down into your pet’s ear canal. Doing this will simply push the material deeper and possibly lead to a rupture of the eardrum, Coates said.
“Allowing your dog to shake their head is important because it will bring deeper material to the surface where it can be wiped away,” Coates said.
Underlying Issues
The healthy adult dogs with “normal” ear anatomy almost never get ear infections, Coates said. In most cases, she said it is best to look at ear infection as a symptom of an underlying illness or condition.
“Many people think ear mites might be to blame, but almost every case of ear mites I’ve diagnosed has been in a kitten. Puppies can also get ear mites, but if you have an adult dog or cat that has not been in contact with kittens or puppies with ear mites, the chances that they have mites is very small,” Coates said.
If you suspect that there is something wrong with your dog’s ears, please bring him or her to the vet immediately.
