Dog Ear Infections - A Look at Ear Infections in Dogs

     Dog ear infections are relatively common. The infection can affect just the external ear canal, or progress into the middle ear. Dogs with hairy or pendulous ears have an increased risk when compared to dogs with neither of these features. So, what exactly causes this condition?

Causes

Ear infections in dogs can be caused by various things. Some of the most common culprits include excessive hair growth in the canal, ear mites, and foreign objects. Some dogs also have allergies are experience ear infections because of other medical conditions. Too much wax leads to more moisture which helps bacteria grow in the ears. You can also cause an infection in your dog's ear when you pluck hairs out. Doing this causes serum to come out of the pores which helps bacteria grow. So, what are some of the signs that you should look out for?

Symptoms

Dog ear infections cause your dog a lot of discomfort. You will notice him rubbing or scratching his ears on various objects or shaking his head. As mentioned earlier, the infection can reach the middle ear. If it does, your dog will experience a lack of balance and unusual eye movements. You will also notice him tilting his head a lot.

Diagnosis

The veterinarian will examine your dog's ear to try to determine the cause of the problem. He will need to use a special instrument to take a close look in the ears. This can be painful to your dog, so your veterinarian may have to sedate him. This allows him to ensure that the eardrum hasn't been damaged. A sample of the substance will also be removed to determine what it is under a microscope.

Treatment

If dog ear infections are caused by a foreign object, they will have to be removed. Heavy accumulation of wax will have to be cleansed thoroughly. If the infection is caused by bacteria, your dog will have to take antibiotics for a few weeks. You will also need to clean his ears on a daily basis. Since they will likely be painful, you will need to be careful not to upset your dog too much while doing this.

Prevention

As an owner, there are certain things you can do to prevent ear infections in dogs. You can clean your dog's ear with a special cleansing solution. This will need to be done on a weekly basis. This is especially important for dogs that have hairy or pendulous ears.