Ear InfectionsThis is a featured page

Ear infections are a common and very treatable ailment in your furry friend. They tend to start out mild and in the outer ear. However, if left untreated they can be very painful to your dog. Ear infections can be caused by many things. Not drying ears properly after bathing and/or swimming, ear wax build up, grass seeds and fox tails, and untreated ear mites just to name a few. If your dog is scratching at his ears, rubbing them or holding his head to one side check for an infection. If he is shaking his head excessively or if the ears look bloody, waxy or swollen check for an ear infection. If he cries when his ears are touched check for an ear infection. Some ear infections are related to skin allergies, especially food allergies. Many dogs with these conditions very often develop inflamed ears. Their ears become itchy and the ear canals are filled with brown wax. One of the most common ear ailments is yeast infections. You can usually tell a yeast infection by the smell, and you will smell it! It has a very pungent smell. Proper ear care is one way to avoid all the aforementioned problems. You may pluck the hair out of the ear canals. Your professional groomer or vet can assist you in the proper technique. Then you should flush the ear canal. There are many commercial products that can be found at the pet store and veterinarian clinics. Many of these cleaners not only clean but have ingredients which aid in drying the ear canal. Frequency of treatment varies, but once a week for those who have had problems and during the warm months and after baths or swimming. If your dog has not had problems then after baths or swimming is good preventative care. REMEMBER…do not use q-tips in the ear, these tend to push the debris further into the ear canal and can be painful to the dog. Also, alcohol will dry the ear which is what you want, but will cause pain and more inflammation if there are scratches or inflammation in the canal. A good home treatment is white vinegar diluted 50:50 with water. If you suspect your dog has an ear infection talk to your vet about a course of action.


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Novel_Weims 		Latest page update: made by Novel_Weims , Dec 6 2007, 6:19 PM EST (about this update About This Update Novel_Weims format - Novel_Weims

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Keyword tags: dirty ears ear ear infection smelly ears
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