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Getting infected ears under control
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One of the important parts of keeping your dog healthy is keeping her ears clean and clear. Some dogs get an occasional ear infection while others seem to never be able to shake them. Identifying ear infections early on can save a lot of money and time in treatment. The correct treatment of advanced infections can literally mean life or death when chronic problems are prevented.
Identifying ear problems
Subtle changes in behavior are usually the first indication that something is amiss with Fido’s ears. Increased scratching with the rear legs and pawing with the front legs may signal that your dog’s ears are itching or painful. In multiple dog household, your other dogs may pay increased attention to the affected dog’s ears, sniffing and licking them. As the discomfort progresses, head shaking, rubbing the ears along walls or carpets or even self mutilation can happen.
Ears will appear redder than normal and may be swollen. The ears tend to smell sour or yeasty and have a brown or yellow build-up. Rarely there is a bloody discharge. Once you notice any of these symptoms, it’s time to see the vet.
Best odds help
In mild cases, cleaning the ears a few times a day is all that is necessary to bring the infection under control. Use only a veterinary grade ear cleaner from your vet for infected ears, as they tend to be gentler on them then store bought ear cleaner.
Once the vet identifies the problem and prescribes treatment, it is vital that you follow the instructions to the letter. This most often includes a gooey cream a few times a day and religious ear cleaning. Severe infections require oral antibiotics given daily. The most important thing with all treatments is to keep up treatment until the prescribed increment is over. Stopping treatment once the ears look better only causes the surviving bacteria or yeast to rally and cause further infections that are harder to cure.
Some dogs with yeasty ears benefit from daily yogurt or other pro-biotic supplements. This kills the yeast from the inside out with little effect on the dog. Yeasty ears can also be a symptom of underlying systemic infections and should not be ignored or dismissed as “bad ears” before a thorough work-up is done.
Remember that the key to good ear health is early and frequent ear cleaning, followed by regular open dialogue with your vet about your dogs personal ear condition. While no dog is immune from pain of ear infections, vigilance on your part can make ear health a pleasant and routine thing for your dog.
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