How To Treat A Dog’s Inner Ear Infection

Posted by Eli Terry

Ear infections in dogs are a serious problem and need to be tended immediately. If left untended, permanent damage can be done to the dog’s hearing. A normal dog ear has three major parts: the outer, middle and inner ear.

In dogs, the canal of the ear starts off horizontally and drops vertically, creating a perfect place for moisture to pool and get trapped. It is why so many dogs develop ear infections. The most common location for an ear infection to develop in dogs is in the outer ear.

You should check your dog’s ears frequently for signs of redness and swelling. You will know your pet has an infection if you see excessive fluid in the ear, smell a foul odor or if your dog scratches the ear or shakes its head frequently. You should treat an infection immediately.

Your first step should be a visit to your veterinarian for an examination. He or she will usually prescribe a liquid medication to be inserted into the ear canal daily. Prior to administering the medication, you must make sure the ear is clean or the medication will not work.

To clear out the ear canal, use dog ear cleaning solution. Place a few drops into your pet’s ear, flip the ear back over, and start massaging it with your hand. The solution will break up the dirt and wax that have accumulated inside.

Now that the foreign matter has been broken up sufficiently, you can remove it properly. To do it, use a cloth, cotton swabs or Q-tips. Your dog will be rather sensitive at this time, so do it carefully and gently. You might want to have another person on hand to help you hold your furry friend in place.

When it comes to the medication, only administer the prescribed amount. This medication and dosage were chosen by the vet for a reason, based on what kind of infection your dog has.

There are two main types of ear infections from which your dog could suffer. These are yeast infections or bacterial infections. Yeast infections require an antifungal treatment while bacterial ones obviously require an antibacterial agent or antibiotic. Both medications generally come in a liquid form that is inserted directly into the ear, unless it’s a more serious infection. IN said case, your dog may need to swallow a regimen of pills for a time until the infection clears up. In any event, the best thing you can do for your dog is not to panic. Get treatment for your dog promptly, follow the prescribed steps to the letter, and you’ll soon notice that your dog is well on the road to recovery in a matter of days.

If you want to find out more about dogs, make sure to check out How To Train Your Dog To Fetch.