Important Facts about a Dog Ear Infection

A dog ear infection is a fairly common occurrence, but it can be difficult for some owners to recognize the signs.

Canine ear infections can cause quite a bit of pain, but they are very easy to treat, and there are also somethings you can do to make sure that your dog never gets an ear infection in the first place.

Types of Dog Ear Infections

The first thing you should understand is that there are two different types of ear infections.

Bacteria and yeast can both cause ear infections, although both exist at certain levels in your dog’s ear. The problem occurs when either bacteria or yeast begin to get out of control.

The primary symptom of a bacterial ear infection is a discharge from the ear. The dog may also have inflammation, redness, and pain. Additionally, there is often a pungent smell coming from the dog’s ear.

A dog ear infection that is caused by yeast can cause the dog to exhibit these same symptoms, although there are a few additional ones that indicate that the infection is caused by yeast.

Usually a yeast infection in the ears is characterized by excessive dryness and sometimes even a scaly appearance. This type of ear infection also causes extreme itching and scratching, and it can spread to other parts of your dog’s face. If you smell the yeast infection, it should smell more chalky rather than foul.

Causes of Dog Ear Infections

Another important thing to understand about ear infections is the cause because once you know what causes an ear infection, you can help to prevent it.

The most common cause of an ear infection in a dog is water in the ear. Sometimes water may enter the ear and stay there after a bath or a swim. Just make sure to dry those ears thoroughly.

Ear infections can also be caused by hormonal imbalances, and some breeds are more prone to these infections.

Treatment for a Dog Ear Infection

The best place to start if you recognize that your dog has an ear infection is with a home treatment. White vinegar works wonders on an ear infection, but make sure to dilute the vinegar by making a solution out of vinegar and water.

The resulting solution should be half water and half vinegar, and you can then use a dropper to put it into your dog’s infected ear and take care of the dog ear infection.

If you’re unsure about making the vinegar solution or if it just isn’t helping, then it is time to see the vet. He will prescribe ear drops that will easily take care of the infection.

Other Ear Problems

Of course it is important to recognize that there are also other ear problems dogs can suffer from that may look like canine ear infections.

For example, some dogs may get things stuck in their ears, especially if they like to roll around in the grass. Check your dog’s ear carefully to determine if this is the case.

Also ear mites are highly contagious, and all it takes is one contact with an infected dog for your pet to get them.

When in doubt, always see your vet for a definite diagnosis.

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