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Ear Infections Are Painful!
Ear Infections Are Painful!
Learn how to treat ear infections in dogs, and how to
keep a dog's ears clean.
by Sheri Huttner
June 24, 2004
In my grooming shop, I come into contact with many, many
dogs. Not a day goes by where I don't see at least one dog
with an ear infection.
The majority of times, the infections are found in "drop
ear" dogs such as Poodles, Spaniels, and Bichons. I rarely
see ear infections in dogs with perky, erect ears such as
Yorkies, Chihuahuas, and Scotties. The reason for this is
that air does not circulate into the ears of drop-ear dogs.
Also, in long-haired dogs, hair grows inside the ears, and
when it accumulates, even less air gets in. The ears become
a perfect breeding ground for bacteria.
The signs of an ear infection are usually very obvious. An
accumulation of brown debris is a sure sign that something
is wrong. The debris will be accompanied by a strong, foul
odor; another sure sign of infection, even if you don't see
any debris. Sometimes the ear leather (the underside of the
dog's ear) looks dry and flaky. In many cases, the dog will
frequently shake his head and scratch his ears. That's because
ear infections itch and HURT! With a severe infection, the
dog might flinch and even cry out when you touch his ear.
Pet stores sell various ear medications, but there are many
types of infections. In the long run, you can save your dog
from unnecessary suffering by taking him to your vet who will
diagnose the infection and provide the proper medicine. The
vet will also determine if the problem is being caused by
ear mites, in which case he'll give you drops containing antibiotic
and insecticide. Whatever medicine he gives you, it's crucial
to follow his instructions and complete the course of treatment
to prevent a recurrence. Recurring ear infections are very
common.
Of course, prevention is the best medicine. From the day
you get your dog, you should check his ears regularly for
excessive dirt or unusual odor. Hair that grows inside the
dog's ear canal is very easy to pull out. You can ask your
vet or groomer to show you how it's done. If you start doing
this when your dog is a pup, he shouldn't give you a hard
time.
A healthy ear is pale pink and has no odor. A little bit
of wax or dirt in the outer portion of the ear canal is perfectly
normal. This can be carefully removed with a piece of gauze
or a Q-tip. You should never stick a Q-tip inside the ear
canal. Only clean what you can easily see. Your vet or groomer
can also show you how to clean your dog's ears.
By keeping your dog's ears clean and healthy, you can avoid
having him suffer from a painful infection.
© Sheri Huttner
Reprinted with permission.
Sheri Huttner is the owner/operator of a successful
dog grooming shop, and provides personalized home boarding
for her clients. She operates the website, www.dogparlor.com,
where she writes articles about caring for your dog.
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