Pinching, itching and pain – earaches are nasty! If your furry friend has an ear infection, it’s time to act! While the majority of sick dogs struggle with otitis externa, i.e. an inflammation in the external auditory canal, the inner ear (otitis interna) and the middle ear (otitis media) can also be affected by inflammation. So that your dog gets better soon, you should fight the inflammation. We explain how you can recognize an ear infection, which home remedies can help and when you should go to the vet.
Symptoms of an ear infection in dogs
If your dog suffers from an ear infection, you need to act quickly. Your furry friend probably has an earache that won’t go away on its own. But how can you tell if your paw friend has an ear infection?
Does your dog shake its head more often than usual? Does he tilt his head? Is he scratching his ears? Doesn’t your darling want to be touched on the ears or head anymore? Does Bello push his head sideways across the floor? All of these can be clues for an ear infection in the dog. If there is also a brownish, musty discharge from the auricle, or if the ear is swollen and red, then the diagnosis is pretty clear. Now home remedies can do a good job. However, if your dog also hears poorly, has a fever, is exhausted or no longer eats, you should go to the vet immediately!
Causes of ear infections in dogs If you suspect an ear infection, you should definitely ask your trusted veterinarian for advice. With a smear, he can determine exactly where the inflammation is coming from. There are many different causes of an ear infection in dogs that have to be treated differently.
Bacteria, viruses, fungi, parasites Various bacteria or viruses can cause your dog to get an ear infection. Even uninvited guests such as ticks, mites or fleas like to spread in the ear and cause a nasty infection there.
Impurities or foreign bodies Foreign objects or contaminants such as dirt or sand can also be to blame for an ear infection in dogs. Once established, it is easy to inflame sensitive dog ears.
Improper cleaning If you clean your four-legged friend’s ear with aggressive lotions or cotton swabs, this can lead to irritation or inflammation. It is best to always use a mild ear cleaner.
Food intolerance Have Have you recently changed food or tried a new treat? If Bello, Luna and Co. do not tolerate the new food well, ear infections are a common immune response.
Allergic reactions Does your four-legged friend have an allergy? An allergic reaction can also be to blame for an ear infection in dogs.
Ear infection treatment – ​​when do home remedies help? There are different ways to treat an ear infection in dogs. In the case of a rather mild inflammation of the outer ear (otitis externa), home remedies such as tinctures of calendula, chamomile, coconut oil, echinacea or apple cider vinegar can help. There are many different recipes on the web. For example, dilute apple cider vinegar with water in a ratio of 1:3 before use, then put it on a cotton pad and spread it in the dog’s ear.
These home remedies can help against ear infections
Chamomile The beneficial effect of chamomile not only helps with stomach pain, but also with an ear infection in dogs. Put a few drops of chamomile tea (made from fresh chamomile) on a cotton pad and gently clean the dog’s ears. The chamomile has a calming effect and the earwax dissolves.
Marigold The marigold, also known as calendula, is also a proven home remedy in the fight against inflamed dog ears and is available as a tincture or ointment.
Tea tree oil Tea tree oil can be beneficial in inflamed dog ears and help fight bacteria. After applying, massage the oil gently into the dog’s ears. It is best to dilute it with some water.
Apple Vinegar Apple Vinegar can help your paw friend with an ear infection. Attention: Dilute the apple cider vinegar with water so that the acid does not further strain the sensitive listeners.
Coconut oil Coconut oil has a calming effect on irritated dog ears. Again, use a cotton pad to apply the coconut oil. Then massage it in gently. The coconut oil also has a nourishing effect.
Homeopathy and over-the-counter medicines In addition to the classic home remedies, there are over-the-counter medicines such as Traumeel or Echinacea globules that can help your dog homeopathically. The medicinal plant Echinacea, better known as purple coneflower, is said to have an anti-inflammatory effect.
Ear infection in dogs – when to the vet?
If there is no improvement after a day or two – off to the vet! If you suspect more than just a slight ear infection, you should make an appointment with the uncle doctor as soon as possible. When you visit the vet, a smear will be used to determine the cause of the pain and which medication, ointments or drops will help your troubled fur nose. At the beginning of the therapy, a thorough cleaning by the treating veterinarian is often on the agenda. Let us explain to you what you have to look out for when cleaning your dog’s ears in the future.
Ear infection – prevention & ear care
To prevent a nasty ear infection, you should regularly check and care for the ears of your furry friend. Positive side effect: you can see early on whether an ear infection is approaching. Here are some tips for you to help with ear care:
Regular check-ups Check your furry friend’s ears at least once a week. This way foreign objects or slight irritation can be detected before it is too late.
Clean ears Treat the ears of your favorite as a precaution with a mild ear cleaner. In this way you can already remove smaller deposits and earwax before they settle. Make sure to only use mild cleansers made from natural ingredients to avoid causing irritation. Our natural ear cleaner with chamomile, marigold and propolis, for example, can also be used to treat mites or small infections.
Stay away from cotton swabs! Use appropriate ear cleaner and a clean cloth when cleaning your dog’s ears. Don’t use cotton swabs or other objects to clean the ears. In the worst case, you push the earwax or other deposits even deeper into the ear or injure the eardrum.
Practice, practice, practice The ears of your fur nose are very sensitive. Therefore, cleaning can be a bit uncomfortable for your dog. Link the ear cleaning with something positive and reward your darling with lots of pats and treats.
Fur care in the ears Only have the hair in your fur nose’s ears cut by an experienced dog groomer or a trusted veterinarian. Don’t start snipping yourself. In doing so, you may destroy the protective barrier for dirt or foreign objects. Then the next ear infection will be easy.
Keep your ears dry Is your four-legged friend a real water rat? Then you should pay particular attention to inflammation in the dog’s ear. After bathing or swimming, gently dry the ears of your fur nose so that no water can get into the ear.
Conclusion
An ear infection is no joke! In the very worst case, the inflammation spreads – then your dog can lose hearing or sense of balance. Meningitis or paralysis of the facial nerve are also possible. An insufficiently treated or even untreated ear infection can lead to permanent damage to your four-legged friend. Therefore, it is better to go to the vet too early than too late!
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