Ear infections can be very painful and extremely irritating for your dog. Ear infections in dogs can range from minor to chronic, causes of which can be numerous.
Ear infections are probably the most commonly found problems in all breeds of dogs, though breeds with drooping ears might be more susceptible. Without proper treatment ear infections might spread and perforate the ear drum and in some cases might even reach the brain causing serious and irreparable damage.
Causes
Dog ear infections can be caused by micro-organisms like yeast and bacteria. The dark and moist environment of the ear canal is conducive for these organisms to breed and multiply. In dogs with long and droopy ears the problem becomes more aggravated. If the defense mechanism in the ear gets compromised then these organisms can multiply rapidly and cause serious damage.
Canine ear infections can also be caused by food allergies or by certain things that they might inhale.
Too much or too little secretion of hormones like glucocorticoids, thyroid hormones and sex hormones can also cause ear infections.
Some ear infections in dogs can be hereditary in nature. Certain tumors in the ear and conditions like Primary Seborrhea are congenitally passed from parent to offspring.
When foreign materials like bristles or plant awns gets inside the ear canal it causes severe itching that might lead to ear infections.
Ear mites are also one of the major causes for canine ear infections.
Symptoms
Symptoms of ear infections can range from mild to severe and include vigorous shaking of the head, scratching of ears and head, bad odor and/or discharge from the ear canal, redness and inflammation in the ear canal and inflammation and scabs in the area around the ear.
Treatment
Treatment for ear infections in dogs will mostly depend on the cause of infection. Medications like itraconazole or ketoconazole might be prescribed for yeast infections and various antibiotics might be prescribed to target bacterial infections.
To reduce inflammation inside the ear canal anti-inflammatory medications like prednisone and dexamethasone might be prescribed.
Most often it will be necessary to clean and flush the infected ear canal as part of the treatment process for dog ear problems. In some cases, if the inflammation is severe then your vet might recommend medications to reduce inflammation before cleaning the ear canal.
Most often, your dog might need to be sedated to clean and flush its ear. This will also give your vet the opportunity to examine the ear drum of your pet to find whether the infection has spread into the inner ear. If infected then your vet might have to clean and flush the inner ear also using special techniques and equipments.
For your part, make sure to follow your vet’s instructions to treat the ear infection of your dog at home. You might have to administer oral and/or topical medications and clean your dog’s ears.
In very severe and chronic cases of dog ear infections surgery might be the only option to treat the infection.
Preventive measures for ear infections in dogs include regular trimming or clipping of excess hair around your dog’s ears to prevent growth of infection causing organisms and keeping your dog’s ears clear of debris with help of appropriate ear cleaners.
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