Treatments For Dog Ear Infections

Treatments for dog ear infections are very common, as you will discover. There are three main reasons for ears to get infected in dogs. They would be heat, oil and humidity. What happens when an ear is infected? The inside of the ear becomes red and starts to swell. This usually happens when the temperature outside increases. Also, there is a strong odor emitted from the ears. So, the easiest way to know that the ears are infected is by smell. It is always better to go to a veterinarian if the ear infection lasts a number of days. But in most cases they can be treated at home.

So how does one go about treating dog ear infections?

· First and foremost, all the dirt inside the ears has to be cleaned thoroughly. This can be done by using a piece of gauze or a smooth dry cloth. Do remember not to use cotton to clean the infected area.

· Secondly, the ears have to be disinfected. A cleaning solution can be made at home by mixing vinegar, alcohol and water in equal proportion. A piece of gauze dipped in the solution can be used to clean the ears about twice a day.

What if the treatments for dog ear infections do not work?

· If the infection persists then it’s better to consult a veterinarian. Based on the extent of infections, the doctor may prescribe antimicrobial eardrops. The other solution that might be prescribed is an oral drop which has to be mixed with water or dog food.

· It is advisable to visit the doctor regularly till the infection ceases.

· Proper care has to be taken and hygiene of the dog is also very important. The infection can be caused by drops of water which is trapped inside the ear. So, care should be taken to make sure that the dog’s ears are completely dry.

· There are some cases of infections that are caused by tumors. In those cases surgery is the only treatment. These surgeries are performed by specialists at their clinic. And depending on the surgery performed, the dog has to be in the clinic for a day or two.

When a vet should be treating dog ear infections

· If in case a foreign particle goes inside the ears, it is advisable to flush it out. Again, it is a vet who should perform this and nobody else should attempt to do this procedure as it could prove very dangerous.

· Proper care should be taken to make sure that the dog is free of flees. Flees can cause infection too. Flees can be transmitted from other dogs. So regular care should be taken to keep the dog flees free.

· Most of the time, treatment can cure them but there can be infections which are recurring and chronic. And these cases are harder to cure. So it would require regular consultations with the vet for a long time.

Though infections are regular in dogs they need to be treated with care. Not treating dog ear infections can be very painful and at times can result even in hear loss.

It is advisable to prevent these infections by regular cleaning of ears using a good ear cleansing solution.