Pet Dogs Information

It is very irritating for a dog to have a ear that constantly buzzes or is painful. It is also quite upsetting for the dog. These ear infections in dogs may be minor or chronic, and can be a result of a variety of factors. Generally, in case of canine ear infections, infection of the outer ear canal by parasitic organisms like bacteria and yeast is common. This condition is medically termed as as 'Otitis Externa'. This contition is more common in drop-ear dogs. Ear infections might pose as a health hazard in any breed of dog. If left untrated, infections in the ears can perforate the ear drums and may also extend to the brain and cause serious damage. In the following article various issues related to canine ear infections have been explained.

Symptoms of Ear Infections in Dogs :::

Your canine companion may exibit the following symptoms if it is a victim of ear infection.

• Presence of foul odor in ears.
• There may be black or yellow discharge from ears.
• The dog may show lethargy and irritation.
• The dog may repeatedly scratch or rub its head and ears.
• There may be signs of painful or tender ears.
• There may be soreness or visible redness in ear flap or canal.
• The dog may vigorously shake the head or tilt it to one side

Causes of Ear Infections in Dogs :::

The various causes that might lead to ear infections in dogs are::

• The dog may easily get allergic to certain food items or certain things they inhale. In this case, the allergic reactions might surface up as an ear infection.
• Presence of dark and moist environment may lead to ear canals being a suitable place for micro-organisms like bacteria and yeast to breed & multiply. The problem is prominently seen and is aggravated in breeds that have long and droopy ears.
• Various types of bacteria and yeasts are also responsible for ear infection. If the environment of the ear loses its defense mechanism, they can easily multiply and cause critical damage to the ear.
• If there is excessive secretion or low secretion of hormones in the body, it might hamper the constitution of your pet, by making your pet prone to various ear infections.
• Hormones like Thyroid hormones, sex hormones and glucocorticoids play a major role in such cases.
• There are some ear problems which are hereditary and are genetically passed to the offspring from the parent. Some diseases like Dermatomyositis, Primary Seborrhea and some tumors in the ears fall in this category.
• Sometimes, foreign substances like plant awns or bristles may find a way to the ear canal of the dog and make it prone to severe itching. Vigorous scratching to soothe the irritation might affect the ear.
• Certain mites like the ear mite (Otodectes cynotis) can be a cause of air infection in dogs. The dog feels excessive discomfort if ear mites are present. This may cause excessive discomfort and the resultant scratching might create various problems in the ears.
   

Ear Infection Remedies :

You can do away with ear infections in your dogs with these helpful treatments ::

• Excess hair present near the ears should be trimmed or cleaned as long hair facilitates the growth of various bacteria and ear parasites.
• The dogs' ears should not be allowed for debris to accumulate. His ears should be cleaned with a proper ear cleaner once a while.
• If yeast infections is present, a proper antifungal should be used to effectively eliminate the problem.
• Antibiotics prescribed by the veterinarian can be taken to get rid of various bacterial infections in the ear. The veterinarian should be properly consulted prior to this.
• The veterinarian may inject various medicines and ear-solutions to curb the problem.
• If the problem is hormone-related or due to certain allergies, then various therapies and medical treatments (immunotherapy) are necessary.

As, having a diseased dog in the household is not a very pleasant experience. So, it is extremelly important to get a routing checkup of the dog's ears done. It is important to check the dog's ears and keep them clean. If earwax and other unwanted wastes accumulate, it should be cleaned two to three times a week if the dog has a history of ear infections or has floppy ears. It is very necessary to consult a veterinarian immediately if the dog displays any odd behavior associated with ear infections.
 

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