Understanding dog ear infections and practicing proper ear care

Los Angeles - Is your dog prone to ear infections? Does your dog shake its ears or shake its head a lot? If so, your dog most likely requires treatment. Ear infection in dogs can be caused by several factors. It could be ear mites, bacterial infections, food allergies, unhealthy environments, and improper dog hygiene. A good sniff near the ears usually verifies a problem, as most infectious ears are quite pungent.

Ear infection is very common to dogs with flopped ears. Cocker spaniels and poodles are examples of dogs most prone to this disease. Proper grooming will help, and regular checking of your dog’s ears is critical. However, your dog’s ears are sensitive, so if you are unsure what to do, do not attempt to poke around with Q-tips. Consult with your vet.

There are three types of ear infection in dogs – the outer ear infection, middle ear infection, and the inner infection. The outer ear infection is easily noticeable, as it is usually characterized by inflammation and foul-smelling wax discharge. The middle and inner ear infections are more severe and require the help of a veterinarian because the condition can worsen and are often not curable unless special treatment procedures are administered.

Proper ear care for the dog can often prevent recurring infection. Dogs with a history of ear disease require routine cleaning of the canals. Plucking hair that grows in the canal will help, as hair impedes air flow into the canal that tends to keep the canal dry. Again, if you are unsure how to pluck, do not attempt to do it at home. Instead seek the help of your groomer. Good preventative ear care can eliminate needless trips to your veterinarian and save a lot of discomfort for your dog.

Canine ear checklist:

You may need to take your dog to the vet for an exam if it:
• Shakes its head or scratches its ears
• Lives with other pets with parasitic infestations
• Exudes a pungent odor from its ears
• Has long, pendulous ears
• Lives in a humid environment
• Loves to swim or bath
• Has a history of recurring ear infections

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