Canines ears are prone to infection as you may have previously noticed should you have a doggie with problem ears.
When your dog keeps getting infections here is some facts that can help you tackle constant ear infections.
Dog ear infections are usually called Otitis Externa; what this means is an infection in the external ear. (Otitis Interna means an infection of the inner ear).
Outer ear infections make up 90% of the infections in dogs; which makes ear infection the most frequent infection for a canine friend to be treated for.
Dogs with allergies might experience more ear infections than some other dogs. It can be attributable to wax accumulation within the ear. It can also be a result of long hair obstructing the passage from air and causing a build-up of not just wax but probably dirt and debris.
Periodic ear washing can also assist your furry friend get used to having his or her ears taken care of, which makes less complicated to provide treatment methods.
You can minimize future infections by cleaning your dog’s ears properly and as an important part of your normal dog grooming routine. Cleansing your pet’s ears is not difficult and you just need a soft cloth and some ear cleanser.
Lift the ears and rub some cleanser into the ear this should loosen the dirt.
Regular ear cleaning is an effective preventative measure; particularly if you have a dog which is at a risk for ear infections.
Ear infections tend to be more typical in dogs that swim often for example. The water inside the ears can be a problem for dogs who are essentially not designed for water.
You can detect an ear infection on your dog by looking out for the following telltale warning signs:
- smelly ears
- discharge
- excessive head shaking
- swelling
- redness in the ears
If your dog seems awkward or is continuously clawing their ears, it’s probably creating a great deal of distress.
If your furry companion is scratching too hard this could even break blood vessels and trigger swelling and bleeding.
You can try cleaning your dog’s ears with white vinegar to get rid of dirt from the ear and encourage the growth of proper bacteria. Use the vinegar in the same manner as the ear cleanser – pour it on and wipe carefully inside the ear with the cloth or cotton. This may help ease the infection as well as clear it up if the problem wasn’t too severe to start.
If the infection is significant its time to call the vet. It can be fixed easily. Typically your pet will require some antibiotics to help clear the problem.
If your dog has recurring ear infections the vet might advise that you cut the hair around the ear or the vet might clip the hair around the ear. This often helps.
If the problem is more severe than that the doctor might encourage surgery to permit easier drainage of the ear canal.
Some dog breeds are more vulnerable to chronic ear infections than others. Now that you know what to look for you’ll be equipped to detect ear infections before they turn into a serious concern.
Avery’s Ear Cleaning and Plucking
Plucking a dog’s ear is when we gently pull or tweeze the hair from the inside of a dog’s ear. The theory is that removing the hair will keep it from blocking the canal, allowing more air to circulate, which helps prevent ear infections and moisture build-up. Sounds awful though, doesn’t it?
Generally, the small fluffy dogs are the ones that get their ears plucked… the Shih Tzu’s, Lhasa Apsos, Schnauzers, Maltese, even the larger Cocker Spaniel. You would be amazed at how much hair can be growing in there. Sometimes it’s a wonder they can even hear!
I’m the owner of Avery’s Pet Styling Salon and Boutique. We offer comprehensive mobile pet grooming services for pet parents who want a professional pet grooming service to simplify their pet care decisions and enhance their lifestyle. I am also the owner of Avery’s Holistic Paws, the creator of Probiotic Dental Sticks for Dogs.
