Preventing Dog Ear Infections

Just imagine the amount of pain your dogs undergo whenn you can't figure out how to prevent dog ear infections. Have you ever noticed that all floppy eared breeds of dogs can be at risk of getting an ear infection? The main reason behind this is the warmth and moisture the ear flap holds within. With the right hygienic practice, ear infection in dogs can be easily prevented.

Always remember well-groomed dogs rarely get infected with any diseases. The health of your pet is in your hands. If you know how to take care of them, you can give them a long, cheerful and strong life.

As a pet owner, the signs you must look for is the display of discomfort your dog experiences by shaking his/her head or scratching the ears. Often red and inflamed ears with unpleasant smell are another sign of infection. Infection in the middle ear can be judged when the dog often tilts his/her head. By practicing preventive care at home, you can help prevent dog ear infections.

Basic steps to prevent dog ear infections

Regular visits to a grooming center are really important to preventing dog ear infections. Dogs with floppy ears have literally closed ears leaving minimal air circulation inside, leaving them more susceptible for accumulation of wax.

If you think that you need to clean the ears of your dog, let me tell you it isn’t really necessary unless and until it is really visible on the outer ear. The dog’s ears have a natural way of cleaning itself. So, you need not bother to clean it everyday.

Another thing to take care is to make sure that your dog’s ear is dry after every bath. Restrict the inner ear from getting wet as this can set off an infection. If bacteria get combined with it then the infection will worsen.

Also, make sure that your dog is mite free and flea free as this too can trigger ear infection. Anti mite and anti flea powders are easily available for purchase. You can sprinkle them on your pet after you give them a bath. This will act as a protection as the special formulation keeps all parasites away.

One of the unlikely reasons is foreign objects finding its way in your dog’s ear. Though rare, it may still occur. Foreign objects can vary from sticks, stems, stones or small leaves. Hence, you must know where your dog goes. The active ones and those which are outdoors all the time are the worst sufferers of this.

Again getting your vet involved and taking his suggestion is very important. He should be the one who does the ear cytology. This is to determine the causes of the ear infection.

If you think that you are battling with the infection for a long time, ask about the various surgeries that are available. The surgeries are mainly done to open up the ear canal to enhance the air flow which will prevent any future ear infections as well as it will remove any existing infections.