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Ear infections in dogs can be both painful and distressing for our beloved pets. If you've found yourself frantically searching for ways to help your dogs ear pain at home, rest assured you've landed on the right page.
In this post, we'll delve into tried-and-true methods that are typically helpful for dog ear infections at home.
Let’s get started!
1. Recognize the Signs of Dog Ear Infections
For those aiming to manage a dog's ear infection from home, understanding the signs is the first step. Keep an eye out for these prevalent symptoms:
- Pink or red skin on the hairless part of the ear.
- Discharge that can be brown, gray, white, or green.
- Bleeding, crusts, or scabs on the ear.
- Persistent scratching at the ear.
- A strong odor from the ear.
- Crying or vocalizing when the ear is touched.
- Holding the head to one side, or one ear drooping.
📒Important Note: If your dog exhibits symptoms of painful, swollen, or odorous ears, they need to visit a veterinarian immediately.
2. Choose a Suitable Cone
The dreaded cone of shame will protect your dog’s ears from injury through scratching or rubbing. Ear infections are itchy so it’s a natural urge for dogs to scratch the ear. Scratching soothes the itch for a while, but over time it will make things worse. If your pet doesn’t like the feel of a plastic cone, try a softer fabric or inflatable collars instead.
3. Trim Their Nails
Trim your dog’s nails short. Self-trauma from scratching at an itchy ear can make the problem much worse. By keeping your dog’s nails short, you will reduce the amount of damage the nail will do to the skin of the ear.
4. Use a Dog Ear Cleaner
If your dog’s ear is not too painful, you can use a dog ear cleaner to help remove wax build-up. Place a small amount into the ear and gently massage the base of the ear canal. Use a damp cotton ball to remove any discharge that is around the entrance to the ear canal. You can repeat this daily for up to five days. If you clean your dog's ears too often, it can strip them of their natural protective coating and increase the risk of infection in the ear.
5. Address Other Potential Issues
When considering home treatment for ear infections it’s important to treat your dog’s other issues at the same time as they may be related. If your dog has skin allergies, you will need to keep on top of these. Weekly bathing with a pet-safe soothing shampoo like oatmeal can help wash yeasts, pollens, and bacteria from the skin.
Skin supplements or prescription diets can increase the integrity of the skin structure and lower the chances of skin and ear infections if they are related to allergies. Talk to a veterinarian for advice on the underlying cause of the ear infections before starting diets or supplement trials. This can help save money in the long run!
6. Prevent Future Infections
To ensure your dog remains free from recurrent ear infections, adopt these proactive measures:
- Check your dog’s ears daily.
- Use a pet-specific ear cleaner weekly.
- Dry your dog's ears after swimming.
7. Seek Professional Help
For severe infections, seek professional care. Always consult a vet for serious cases or if you're uncertain about your dog's ear condition.
Common Items to Avoid Using for Dog Ear Infections
When helping alleviate pain from dog ear infections at home, it's crucial to avoid harsh substances and tools that can exacerbate the problem or cause harm to your pet.
Here are some common items to avoid putting in your dog's ear:
- Vinegar: While it can kill yeast, it's mostly water and can leave the ear moist, promoting further infections.
- Alcohol: It can cause burning and irritation, especially if the ear is raw or inflamed.
- Hydrogen Peroxide: While it can clean wounds, it can be too harsh for the sensitive skin inside a dog's ear and can cause irritation.
- Cotton Swabs (Q-tips): They can push debris further into the ear canal and risk damaging the eardrum.
- Essential Oils (undiluted): Many essential oils can be toxic to dogs and can cause irritation if not properly diluted.
- Over-the-counter human ear drops: These might contain ingredients that are harmful to dogs.
- Dairy-based Yogurt with Sugars: Only plain yogurt should be considered, as sugars can feed yeast infections.
- Soap or Shampoo: These can irritate the ear canal and leave residues that promote infections.
In Conclusion…
Caring for our furry companions means seeking the best ways to help when they face discomfort. While home management can offer relief from ear infections, it's crucial to remember that they are not a substitute for professional veterinary care.
Always monitor your dog's symptoms and consult with a veterinarian before trying any home treatments. By combining informed choices with timely medical advice, we can ensure our pets remain happy, healthy, and by our side for years to come.
If your dog's ear infection is not cured after using the management tips mentioned above, schedule a sick visit with one of our mobile vets. We can provide instant relief to your furry friend right within your home!
Should My Pet Be Seen by a Veterinarian?
1. Have you noticed changes in your pet’s appetite?
2. Does your pet have diarrhea or loose stools?
3. Have you noticed changes in your pet’s thirst/water consumption?
4. Is your pet having accidents in the house?
5. Is your pet pacing and unable to settle?
6. Is your pet panting more than usual?
7. Is your pet whining or vocalizing more than usual?
8. Is your pet shaking more than usual?
9. Is your pet hiding or avoiding physical contact more than usual?
10. Is your pet more lethargic and sleeping more than usual?
11. Are you concerned about changes in your pet’s behavior?
12. Is your pet scratching their ears?
13. Is your pet licking their paws more than usual?
14. Does your pet have a rash?
15. Is your pet moving more slowly than usual or having a harder time getting up or down?
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Should My Pet Be Seen by a Veterinarian?
1. Have you noticed changes in your pet’s appetite?
2. Does your pet have diarrhea or loose stools?
3. Have you noticed changes in your pet’s thirst/water consumption?
4. Is your pet having accidents in the house?
5. Is your pet pacing and unable to settle?
6. Is your pet panting more than usual?
7. Is your pet whining or vocalizing more than usual?
8. Is your pet shaking more than usual?
9. Is your pet hiding or avoiding physical contact more than usual?
10. Is your pet more lethargic and sleeping more than usual?
11. Are you concerned about changes in your pet’s behavior?
12. Is your pet scratching their ears?
13. Is your pet licking their paws more than usual?
14. Does your pet have a rash?
15. Is your pet moving more slowly than usual or having a harder time getting up or down?
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Frequently Asked Questions
Can you use leftover ear medication from a previous infection?
It can be tempting to use leftover ear medications to treat a new ear infection without a visit to the veterinarian. Never use leftover ointments or drugs as some medications can cause more harm than help if the eardrum has been damaged.
What should I do for severe ear infections in my dog?
Severe infections cannot be treated at home. These need prescription medication to treat the infection and pain your dog is feeling. Remember there are other causes of ear infections such as mites, or foreign material stuck in the ear, which will not resolve with natural remedies at home. A vet visit is always needed in these cases.
Will Benadryl help my dog's ear during an infection?
Benadryl (diphenhydramine) is primarily an antihistamine and can help reduce allergic reactions and itching in dogs. If the ear infection is due to an allergy, Benadryl might provide some relief from itching and inflammation. However, it won't treat the underlying bacterial or fungal infection.
