If you own a dog, odds are you have already dealt with at least one major ear infection, if not more. Much like our own human ears, dogs’ ears are comprised of three main sections, the outer ear, the middle ear, and the inner ear. Odds are, if your dog develops an ear infection, it will be located in his outer ear, at least about ninety percent of the time.

Some ear infections happen just because dogs’ ears are not designed to help keep dirt and debris out of the ear canal, which allows bacteria to breed, resulting in an infection. In some cases, ear infections occur as a symptom of another condition entirely, such as canine allergies. If your dog seems to suffer from frequent ear infections, it may be a good idea to talk with your vet about the possibility of allergies, and see what treatment options he or she might suggest. It is all too easy to just treat the infection, without really taking the time to determine whether or not it is an illness on its own, or a symptom of another, perhaps more serious, problem.

Dogs who like to swim also get ear infections, due to water building up in their ears. While it is easy for the water to get into the dog’s ears, it is much more difficult for it to drain back out. The water in your dog’s ears is a breeding ground for infection causing bacteria, so if you allow your dog to swim, take the time to dry out his ears well.

If you happen to notice that your dog seems to shake his head often, or tries to scratch his ears, he may very well be suffering from an ear infection. Take the time to inspect your dog’s ears at least once a week, and if you notice any discharge, odor, swelling, or redness, you should probably call the vet. Cleaning your dog’s ears on a regular basis may also help prevent ear infections in the future. If you are unsure of how to do this, talk with your vet, or do some research online.

If your vet does in fact decide that your dog is suffering from an ear infection, you will likely be given medication to put directly into the dogs ear at least once a day. To do this, you must first clean the dog’s ear well. Your vet will suggest an ear cleaner for your dog, and you will start by putting a couple of drops of the cleaning solution into each ear. Once you have that done, you will gently massage the outside of your dog’s ears, to allow the cleaner to get down into the ear canal, and loosen up debris and dirt that may be inside the ear canal. Then you will need to take a cotton ball or soft cotton towel to wipe the ear cleaner and loosened debris out of the dog’s ears. Once this is done, you can put the medication into the dog’s ears as directed on the package.

Depending on the severity of the infection, your vet may also prescribe oral medications as well. If your dog has frequent, recurring ear infections, surgery may also be suggested, if no underlying causes, such as allergies, are found.

Learning how to care for your dog’s ears properly and how to spot the early warning signs of an ear infection are important for your dog’s health. Take the time to read more on the subject online, or from books at your local pet store or public library.

by Cristy & David Giacomini - Holistic Dog (www.holisticdog.com)
For your dog’s mind, body & soul.

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