Dog ear infection is one of the leading reasons why people visit vets. It is a common condition among dogs that if you don’t take preventive measure to keep your dog safe, you may find yourself visiting your vet more frequent than you ought to. That said treating dog infections should not be a difficult task since you can do it yourself at home.

What are the signs of ear infections?

You have to observe your pet to know if there is any sign of ear infection. Some of the symptoms include discharge from the ear, itchy, red, hot or inflamed ears. If you notice that your dog is having any or combination of these signs, then it is time for you to swing into action to find a solution, your dog might be having an ear infection.

Causes of ear infections

When discussing dog ear infections, there are two causes of such diseases, and they are bacterial and fungal infections.

Bacterial Infections

This type of infection is the most common type of ear infections among dogs. They are either endogenous or exogenous. Endogenous infections are those that came from the animal itself for example Staph; such infections happen when normal skin bacteria build up in large quantity. Endogenous infections occur when the immune system of your pet is compromised which allow the growth of the bacteria and affect the ear. The exogenous infections are those from external sources. Allergies are also known to cause dog ear infections.

Fungal Infections

Fungal infections are often called yeast infections. Fungal live with bacteria together in your dog’s ear. Just like in the case of bacterial infections, fungal infections results from immune dysfunction which can be caused by hypothyroidism, allergies or hormone imbalances. If the disease is a one-off, then you don’t have to worry much, because using some of the available ear cleaners will restore your dog’s ear health. On the contrary, if it re-occurs, then you will need to focus on maintaining the immune health of your dog.

Find the best Product

If you want the right and lasting treatment for dog ear infections, it is imperative to get the right product that will not only heal the disease but will also prevent any future infections. You will find many products on the internet, but choose the right one that matches your budget and will provide your dog with the proper treatment.

Home Remedies

Some of the known effective home remedies for treating dog ear infections include apple cider vinegar, mullein, Calendula, Oregano Oil, and Coconut Oil. These remedies are known to be rich in anti-fungal and anti-bacterial properties that help in treating dog ear infections.

How to prevent Dog ear infection

• Treat your dog with thyroid medications to avoid hypothyroidism
• Clean the ear of your dog regularly with a cleansing solution.
• Don not overuse ear mite drugs, ear cleaners or any ear treatment
• When cleaning your dog’s ear, avoid rough or aggressive cleaning to minimise the likelihood of otitis. If you are finding it difficult to calm your dog, you can use pheromones.
• Remove hair from the ears to aid the free flow of air through the canal
• Maintain a low humidity in the house
• Keep the ear canal dry after swimming or bathing
• And don’t forget to check your dog’s ear daily

When treating dog infection, it is essential to complete the treatment routine, even if it appears to have cleared.