| Dog ear infections are also commonly called Otitis | | | | To clean your dog's ears, start by placing a few |
| Externa. It is an infection of the outer ear canal. | | | | drops of an ear cleanser into the ear and massage |
| There are three parts to the ear; the outer, the | | | | the ear to help loosen any debris that is in there. |
| middle, and the inner ear. Ninety percent of infections | | | | Then use a cloth or cotton gauze to wipe the dirt |
| occur in the outer ear, the part of the ear that you | | | | out. |
| can see. | | | | After your dog's ears are thoroughly clean, you can |
| Dogs are prone to ear infections because of the | | | | then apply your medication. Follow your veterinarian's |
| anatomy of their ears. They have a horizontal and a | | | | advice about how much medication to apply to the |
| vertical component to them, so it is hard for anything | | | | ear, usually a few drops. |
| in there to drain out, like water or debris. | | | | The treatment your veterinarian will prescribe will |
| Signs of an ear infection include excessive head | | | | vary depending on the cause of the ear infection. For |
| shaking, yellow to brown oozing in the ears, or a | | | | yeast infections, they might prescribe anti-fungal |
| yeast-like smell. Additional signs of ear infections | | | | medication. For bacterial infections they will probably |
| include redness and swelling. | | | | prescribe antibiotics. Normally, treatment is applied |
| There are several causes of ear infections. The most | | | | directly into the ears, but in severe cases systemic |
| common cause of ear infections are due to allergies. | | | | treatment may be needed. This usually means having |
| Some dogs are more prone to allergies than others; | | | | to give your dog pills orally. |
| therefore they get more ear infections. | | | | In some dogs with severe ear problems, the |
| Another common cause is swimming. They get water | | | | veterinarian will usually clip the hair around the ear to |
| inside their ears, and because of their difficult | | | | help let more air into the ear. In extreme cases your |
| anatomy, the water in the ears cannot drain out. | | | | veterinarian may recommend surgery to reconstruct |
| Therefore, this provides the perfect environment for | | | | the ear canal to let it drain easier. |
| bacteria and yeast to grow. It is recommended that | | | | Some breeds of dogs that are prone to ear |
| if you let your dog play in the water, you dry your | | | | infections include breeds with large ears that flap |
| dog's ears thoroughly afterwards. | | | | over the ear canal, and breeds of dogs that have a |
| If your dog does have an ear infection it is important | | | | very small canal. |
| to properly clean your dog's ears before applying any | | | | By knowing what to look for, you can detect ear |
| medication. | | | | infections early. |