Signs That Your Dog Might Have an Ear Infection
Is your dog constantly shaking their head? Whining and pawing at their ears? Maybe you’ve noticed some redness and swelling, or even a smelly odor. These are all common symptoms of a dog ear infection. Dog ear infections may also be accompanied by scaly skin and smelly discharge. Not very pleasant sounding huh?
What Causes Dog Ear Infections?
Dog ears have a different anatomy than human ears. They have an L shaped canal which is set vertically. As a result, it can tend to hold in fluid and other harmful things. Dog ear infections are surprisingly a very common ailment amongst our furry friends. They roll around in the dirt and run through duck ponds and can tend to get all sorts of yucky things in their ears. Dog ear infections can be caused by bacteria, viruses, moisture, allergies, mites, wax buildup, injury, and more. A big one to watch out for especially with summer coming, is trapped moisture from a quick swim in the pool or run through the sprinklers.
Some breeds are more prone to ear infections as well, and there are several health conditions that can also lead to ear infection. Some disorders and diseases that have been known to be connected to dog ear infections are thyroid disorder, endocrine disorder, autoimmune disease, meningitis, and encephalitis. If your dog has any of these, it is all the more important to stay on top of their ear hygiene and seek medical attention if there is an issue.
Risks of Not Treating an Infection
Many dog ear infections start out as Otitis externa which means they are affecting the external part of the ear canal. If left untreated, the infections can progress to Otitis media and interna, affecting the middle and internal ear structure which is much more serious. These levels of infection can lead to deafness and even facial paralysis among other things.
Dog Ear Infection Treatment and Prevention
Learning the proper way to clean your dog’s ears is very important and finding a high-quality ear cleaning solution, like
Liquid Health K9 Ear Solution, is vital. Like we talked about, our dogs like to romp around and get into trouble! So, we need to be there to clean up the mess. K9 Ear Solution is helpful for cleaning and deodorizing your dog’s ears. It has also been designed specifically for use after bathing or swimming to help maintain proper ear hygiene.
Dog ear infection treatment should always be overseen by a vet. As we discussed earlier, these ear infections can progress to some very serious conditions so they must be addressed quickly and effectively. If you notice the signs and symptoms of an ear infection, consult with your vet to get the best treatment plan for your pup!
