Dog Ear Infection

What are dog ear infections?

What are dog ear infections? Otherwise known by their medical names of otitis media, interna, and externa, ear infections are common problems in dogs. In fact, it is estimated that 20% of dogs have ear disease of some kind. Otitis interna and media are severe conditions that can cause vestibular problems, paralysis of the face, and deafness. Otitis externa occurs when inflammation occurs in the cellular layer of the external ear canal.

How will I know if my dog has an ear infection?

Some of the symptoms of an ear infection in dogs include:

• Itchiness
• Odor
• Scratching at affected ear
• Head shaking
• Dark discharge
• Ear canal swelling and redness
• Pain
• Scabs or crusting

What causes dog ear infections in dogs?

The anatomy of a dog’s ear makes a dog naturally susceptible to ear infections. Ear infections can be caused by yeast, bacteria, or both.

Some of the common causes of dog ear infections include:

• Wax buildup
• Excessive cleaning
• Ear canal damage
• Foreign body
• Allergies
• Moisture
• Autoimmune disorders
• Thyroid disease or other endocrine conditions

How are ear infections in dogs treated?

Your veterinarian will perform an examination and possibly run some tests to determine whether or not your dog is suffering from an ear infection. Your vet will also recommend or prescribe a treatment plan for your dog’s ear infection. Veterinarians are well-versed in how to treat a dog ear infection, and they are incredibly familiar with the remedies that work best for healing infections in your dog’s sensitive ears.

What types of products are available for treating ear infections in dogs?

There are a number of ways to help your pup heal from their bothersome and potentially painful ear infection. Your veterinarian might recommend one or several of the following types of ear infection medication for your dog:

• Ointments - Topical ear medications can help your dog recover from their ear infection more rapidly. Your veterinarian might prescribe a medication like Otomax, Derma-Vet, Animax, Osurnia, or Quadruple Ointment to treat your dog’s ear infection.
• Drops – Drops can be a great way to help your dog recover from an earinfection. Drops are also a relatively easy product to administer to dogs, making them an even better choice for treating your dog’s ear infection and getting them back to their happy and healthy selves. Some of the most popular dog ear drops include Zymox, Tresaderm, Synotic, Baytril, Surolan, and Mometavet.
• Cleansers – Keeping your dog’s ears clean can be a great way to prevent future ear infections. It can also be an excellent complement to your dog’s ear infection medicine (with veterinarian approval). Allivet offers a number of effective ear cleansers, including Epi-Otic, TrizULTRA, and MalAcetic.
• Anti-inflammatories – Your vet might suggest an anti-inflammatory medication to help treat your dog’s ear infection if the case is severe. Some of the most popular anti-inflammatory ear medications are Depo-Medrol 20 and Vetericyn VF Antimicrobial Otic Solution. Your veterinarian may prescribe an oral anti-inflammatory like prednisone. Some of the ear drops listed above also offer anti-inflammatory benefits.
• Antibiotics – If your veterinarian deems it necessary, oral antibiotics might be a great complement to other products and/or medications when treating a serious ear infection in dogs. Antibiotics can help eliminate the bacteria and/or yeast that caused the ear infection in the first place, making them a perfect complement to your dog’s treatment plan. Some of the most commonly-prescribed antibiotics include Amoxicillin, Doxycycline, and Cephalexin.

If you think your dog might have an ear infection, schedule an appointment with your veterinarian as soon as possible. Ear infections can become very serious and cause long-term complications if they aren’t treated quickly. Your veterinarian will be able to prescribe or recommend a treatment plan, which might include some of the effective products listed above. Once you have your dog’s prescription(s) and your vet’s product recommendations in-hand, come to Allivet for the best prices on reliable and effective treatments options!