Title: The Ugly Truth About Dog Ear Infections And What You Can
Do About Them
Author: MiShaun Taylor
Although some dog breeds are more likely to get ear infections
than others, just about every dog has experienced an ear
infection at one time or another. According to veterinarians,
dog ear infections are one of the most popular ailments that
affect dogs every single year. In this article, we'll discuss
this common infection as well as the causes of it as well. In
the end you'll have a better understanding of dog ear
infections.
There are two types of dog ear infections. The first is otitis
media which is an infection of the middle ear and otis externa
is an infection of the dog's external ear canal. Although both
types of dog ear infections can be treated with holistic and
traditional medical treatments, it is always recommended that
dog owners seek treatment instead of letting the infection run
their course. This is because infections can cause serious
damage to your dog if left untreated. For instance, an untreated
ear infection can harm your dog's eardrums or damage blood
vessels.
Otis externa and Otis media
The main cause of otitis externa is accumulated wax, hair or
debris in the ear canal, yeast and bacteria, or improper ear
drainage caused by a tumor or other medical condition.
Otis media is typically caused by debris, improper ear cleaning
that ruptures the ear drum, foreign bacteria or yeast, or an
infection that travels from the external to the middle ear.
Symptoms of dog ear infections
There are many symptoms of dog ear infections including odor
emanating from your dog's ears, black, red or yellowish drainage
coming from your dog's ear, increase in your dog's scratching or
tilting his head, etc. If you notice any of these signs, you
should take your dog in to have him checked for an ear
infection.
Vet visit to treat the ear infection
Once you're at the vet, he will perform a routine examination
and check your dog's ears with an otoscope, an instrument that
allows him to see inside his ear. If he finds a foreign matter
in your dog's ear that is causing the infection, he will need to
remove it while your dog is under sedation. He will also perform
a cytology or swab of your the inside of your dog's ear. This
will tell him the type of ear infection. In some instances, your
veterinarian may also suggest additional tests or x-rays. It is
important to keep in mind that some infections are harder to
treat than others and may take 5-6 weeks to clear up.
Tips
- Do whatever you can to keep water out of your dog's ears as
it tends to be a breeding ground for bacteria.
- Make sure you trim the hairs inside your dog's ears.
- Make it a point to check your dog's ears once a week for
signs of infection and be prepared to act quickly in case of
infection.
In conclusion, dog ear infections can be harmful if left
untreated. Therefore, if you suspect that your dog has an
infection, you should seek the care of a qualified veterinarian
to assist him right away. By doing this, you can get him the
quality of veterinarian care that he needs to get better.
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