All Resources about Ear Infection

What is a dog ear infection and how can I tell if my dog has one?

Dog ear infections are extremely common in dogs, especially in dogs that are infrequently or improperly groomed and floppy ear dogs. In most instances, the dog ear infection becomes evident when bacteria or fungi get out of control. This occurs because a dog’s ear structure is elongated and horizontal which does not allow moisture to efficiently drain. In addition, with floppy eared dogs, air isn’t allowed to effectively circulate which causes a perfect breeding ground for an infection.

If you notice an increase in tear stains, reddish/brownish ear wax, a foul odor emanating from his ears, red or inflamed ears, or see your dog scratching his ears or head frequently, then your dog may have an ear infection. If so, take him to the veterinarian right away for proper treatment.

How should I trim my dog’s nails?

It is important to keep your dog’s nails at the proper length so that your dog can walk correctly and will not have back problems. You will want to make sure your dog is relaxed when you cut his nails so that you do not injury your dog or even yourself. The best tool is a specialist nail guillotine. You will want to cut at a 45 degree angle and make sure not to cut too deeply.

Is there a supplement I can give my dog to reduce pet dander?

There are several supplements available, but they are not generally effective. Excessive dander can be caused by many different problems. It is best to discuss this concern with your vet.

What are the symptoms of kennel cough?

Dogs that have kennel cough have a chronic, hacking cough. You may also see a small amount of blood in your dog’s mucus. If you suspect your dog has kennel cough make a doctor’s appointment.

How can I help my diabetic dog?

The best thing you can do is make sure your dog eats regularly and exercises at least once a day. You may have to give your dog regular insulin shots if diet alone does not help. By taking these actions, you can significantly improve your dog’s health and longevity.

How often should I treat my dog for heartworms?

This depends on the treatment recommended by your vet. Most medications are given monthly, but there are a few medications that are given daily. Before administering any medications, you should discuss the situation with your veterinarian.

How do I treat mange?

You will need to treat yourself and your dog twice in order to treat this medical condition. Your vet will prescribe specific medications and treatments, depending on the breed of your dog and the severity of the condition.

If my dog is constipated, can I give him laxatives?

You should never give your dog laxatives without first seeing you vet. You should also never change your dog’s diet if you suspect that he is constipated. Instead, take him to the vet right away as there can be various conditions that may be causing his constipation.

My dog has undescended testicles. Is he at risk for cancer?

No. This is a very common condition in both dogs and humans and should not cause alarm. In many instances, the problem may rectify itself with time.

Should I brush my dog’s teeth?

You should always brush your dog’s teeth. In addition, you
can give your dog chew toys that will help clean their teeth. Lastly, a raw food diet is also a great choice to prevent plaque from occurring which will help keep his teeth strong and healthy.

Ear infections and other ear related issues are the leading cause of irritation for your dogs and cats. In fact, vets often see dogs and cats with ear problems that their owners didn’t know about. When you have a dog or cat, it is imperative that you check their ears on a weekly if not daily basis. Dogs tend to be more prone to ear problems because we let them outside more often, whereas cats are often indoor pets. A vet will hardly see a day without any ear related issues for dogs and cats. Most pets have itchy, reddened, bloody or crusty ears. In some cases, the ears can be infected to the point of swelling. Since these problems are frequent, it is important that all owners learn how to spot trouble and what causes that trouble.

The anatomy of your cat or dog is one of the major reasons they tend to have ear problems. The ears tend to attract parasites and microorganisms which our eyes can’t see. When talking about ear problems, we are not talking about the visible portion of the ear like the ear flap. Instead, we are talking about inside the ear canal that allows the dog or cat to hear.

In rare cases, a blood vessel on the ear can burst to allow a large amount of blood to congeal in the ear. Surgery usually takes care of this outer issue, but this doesn’t resolve the inner ear. The inner ear can be affected with several things. Water in the ear can be a main cause. The bacteria that live around water can get into the ear. Typically, a dog is more prone to water issues because they tend to swim, but if you bath your cat, the water could cause damage if it gets in the canal. The water has to get out somehow, usually through evaporation. However, if the environment doesn’t allow for evaporation, the bacteria or other organisms can cause an infection in the inner ear. This happens when the water remains in the ear longer than it should. One of the reasons it can be detrimental is the growing of more bacteria. Bacteria replicates extremely fast.

So how do you treat an ear infection? Well, first you need to know that there is one. Then you can treat the ear infection with topical ointments that will kill bacteria. There are also sprays available if that works better for you. When the ear tissue is swollen then you need a little more help than just ointment. Antibiotics administered orally will help to gain control of a deeper infection. Most dogs and cats are going to be on this medication for ten days. In some cases, the topical ointment or spray can cause further damage. It is important that when you use these medications you clean out the ear canal by flushing. Flushing means that you place water at pressure to flush the puss and bacteria out of the ear. Flushing should be done by the vet. Most dogs and cats will not sit still long enough and get rather irritated with the procedures, so sedation works better.

Keep cat sickness, cat disease and complications to a minimum. In the most severe cases of ear infections, surgery may be your only option. The bacteria and other debris can be resistant to antibiotics and ointments especially if your dog or cat has had several ear infections. By offering surgery as a means of control, the vet can remove the infectious agent and even change the ear canal. The ear canal is small and sometimes imperfections in the growth such as a dip in the canal tube can make it more difficult for the bacteria to escape with treatment. Surgery can help to open up the ear and correct imperfections. Surgery can also remove any scar tissue as a result of ear infections. This scar tissue can help trap in the debris even more.

Cat care, feline care and dog care is of great importance. Dogs and cats tend to heal rather quickly from surgery and you can usually notice an improvement within a few weeks with their hearing as well as behavior. Most animals that have pain will have an altered temperament. This can be a sign that something is wrong. Even though the dog or cat may have surgery there is still a potential for other infections. It is up to you are the owner to make sure you are providing the best health care and proper visits to the vet’s office. Proper care can include frequent washing of the ear surface especially after a day outdoors.