Dogs have very sensitive ears.  Their ears allow them to hear sounds people can only dream of hearing.  Unfortunately, their ears are also prone to infections.  Dogs can become miserable from the pain and discomfort associated with ear infections.  The outer ears and the inner ear can develop problems.  Ear problems can affect dogs from any breed, age and size.  Dogs with long, floppy ears and dogs that spend a lot of time in water, however, are more likely to have problematic ears.    

If your dog is constantly shaking his head, he may have an infection in his outer ears.  Other symptoms include scratching, rubbing ears on the floor or furniture, foul discharge or bad odor.  If your dog appears to tilt his head to one side, he may have an inner ear infection.  Your dog will need to see the veterinarian when he shows one or more of these symptoms.

There are several reasons why a dog may develop an ear infection.  A common reason is when a foreign object or debris becomes lodged inside the ear.  This could even be a tick which has attached itself inside the ear canal.  It may be something as simple as grass or more serious as in a tumor.  A build-up of wax or thick, matted hair in the ear canal could also be the culprits.  There may be an infestation of ear mites, parasites inside the ear canal.  Ear problems may be the result of a yeast or bacterial infection.  Improper cleaning of a dog’s ears could also be the reason, especially if the ear drum becomes ruptured.  It’s a good idea to learn proper ear cleaning procedures from the veterinarian before attempting to do it yourself.

If you suspect your dog has an infected ear, a trip to the veterinarian is recommended.  At the clinic, the veterinarian will examine your dog’s ears thoroughly to determine the next course of action.  If there is something lodged inside the ear canal, then the ear will need to be cleaned.  It is possible that the veterinarian will need to use a sedative before working in the ear area.  It depends on the dog’s personality and how much pain he is in.  After washing the ear or ears out, the veterinarian may administer an anti-inflammatory injection in order to reduce swelling.  The veterinarian might take a sample or swab of the inside of the ear canal so that it can be tested. 

There are some things you can do to keep your dog’s ears healthy.  Keeping your dog’s ears clean should be a big priority. Allivet Pet Pharmacy carries several dog ear cleaning solutions like Nolvasan Otic Cleanser, Otirinse, and TrizEDTA.  Always check your dog’s ears for any foreign objects, such as ticks. Also check for excessive wax build-up.  After swimming or bathing, make sure that your dog’s ears are dried thoroughly in order to avoid infections.  Never put anything larger than an elbow into your dog’s ear or else you may rupture the eardrum. 

A lot of dogs suffer from ear infections.  If your dog shakes, rubs, or scratches at his ears, take him to the veterinarian for an evaluation.  Also, watch for any bad odor or unusual discharge coming from your dog’s ears.  It’s important to take your dog to the clinic as soon as possible in order to avoid permanent damage to the ears.  The veterinarian may wash out the infected ear or ears and prescribe medication.  Keeping your dog’s ears clean and dry will help ward off future infections.