Dog Ear Infection

There are many different dogs and dog breeds that are prone to ear infections, and it's not the shape of the ear or the type of ear that always causes the infection. In some cases, especially breed related cases of ear infection, the shape of the ear and ear canal, the hair in the ear, and allergies can be the cause of the ear infection.

Breeds Prone to Ear Infection

• Basset Hounds (pendulous ears)
• Boxer (allergic inhalant dermatitis)
• Chow Chows (narrow ear canal)
• Cocker Spaniels (pendulous ears)
• English Springer Spaniels (pendulous ears)
• German Shepherds (increased glandular tissue in the ears)
• Irish Setter (allergic inhalant dermatitis)
• Labrador retrievers (increased glandular tissue in the ears)
• Poodles (hair in ear canals)
• Schnauzers (hair in ear canals)
• Shar Peis(narrow ear canal)
• Shih Tzus (allergic inhalant dermatitis)
• West Highland Terrier (allergic inhalant dermatitis)

Ear infections are a breed-by-breed basis. Ear infections in dogs are not predisposed by those with long ears or those with short ears. Yes, some studies have shown that long eared dogs, can sometimes have more humidity built into the ear canal, which can lead to an infection, but those that are prone to developing ear infections are not based on the size or shape of the ear, but the breed of the dog.

Whether the ears are hanging or erect, ear infections are prone to breeds, not solely to ears.

There is no single or primary cause for ear infection in dogs. Some have said that long ears cause ear infections, others say that certain shaped ears can cause ear infections, but ears really aren't a cause.

Common causes of ear infections in dogs, can include:

• Something trapped in your dog's ear can trigger an infection.
• Bacterial or yeast infections
• Ear mites
• Tumors
• Food allergies
• Other underlying illnesses such as scaling, hormonal issues, and immunity problems
• Puppy Strangles (swollen lymph nodes)

Signs of Ear Infection

Because an ear infection can cause a great deal of pain, discomfort, and stress for your dog, it's ideal that you know what the signs are so that you can watch out for them and have your dog diagnosed and treated earlier than later.

Most dogs will shake their heads and ears more than usual; some will scratch and paw at their ears or rub the sides of their head on the ground or on other objects.

You may notice a smell or a yellow or black discharge coming from the ear. You may also notice swelling or redness on or around the ear flab and canal.

You may also notice a change in your dog's behavior; because an ear infection can be painful, your dog may become depressed or irritable.

There are some people who believe that ear cropping will prevent ear infections because water can't build up between the flap of the ear and the ear canal, but this isn't all that true.

By cropping the ears, you actually leave the dog susceptible to water and irritants that can easily get into the ear canal, potentially causing deafness.

Paying a vet to crop your dog's ears can lead to 1) a bad crop job, as cropping is an art form, 2) unnecessary pain, 3) potential harmful side effects.

Yes, there have been cases of cropping ears can benefit dogs with chronic ear infections, but there are other options that work better and are more effective. Cropping your dog's ears will not save you from continuing to have to clean your dog's ears. Dog ear cropping isn't the end-all-be-all answer to fixing or treating ear infections.

If your vet recommends that your dog, who has either never had an ear infection or who has had one or two ear infections, have his ears cropped, you need to find another vet!

Since jumping to ear cropping isn't necessarily the best option to treat ear infections, especially as some breeds who may have erect ears are not socially accepted in the dog world, it's a good idea to find better treatment options.

Cropping should never be thought of as a medical procedure.

Other treatment options for dogs with ear infections include:

• Medicinal drops or ointment as prescribed by a vet.
• Treatment of the underlying condition that has caused the ear infection.
• Removal of the foreign body that caused the infection, and an antibiotic to clear up the infection.
• Treatment for mites or parasites that may have caused the ear infection.
• Various homeopathic and natural treatments.

If you're looking for an all natural ear infection treatment, your conventional vet probably won't have much in mind that he can tell you, as he went to school for conventional medicine, not alternative treatments. But, that doesn't mean that there aren't any options.

You can help alleviate the pain by using tea tree oil, chamomile, marigold, and myrrh, which have properties that are beneficial to animals suffering pain, irritation, and inflammation. You can find natural herbs to for anti-bacterial and anti-microbial properties, as well.

You can also try using apply cider vinegar to clean out your dog's ears or as a drink. The vinegar will help prevent the infection from worsening. Use about two tablespoons of apple cider vinegar with a cup of water; make sure the dog drinks it twice a week.

Another natural treatment for dog ear infection includes using two cloves of garlic macerated in olive oil. Let the mix sit for two weeks, strain it, and put about 2-3 drops of the warmed mixture into your dog's ears until the infection is fully healed.

Just remember that if you're not sure, you need to ask a veterinarian familiar with homeopathic remedies.

If you know that your dog is prone to ear infections, you need to pay close attention to his ears. You want to make sure that you clean them frequently.

The best way to clean your dog's ears is to remove the debris. Basically, apply a good ear cleaner to your dog's ears (one at a time) and massage the base of the ear for about 20 to 30 secongs to soften and release the debris. Then take a dry cotton ball and wipe out the fluids and debris. Keep repeating the procedure until you don't see any more debris being wiped up by the cotton ball.

It is a good idea to check your dog's ears at least once a week, but you'll find that it's recommended to clean them as often as needed. Some dogs need their ears cleaned up to three times a week, but each dog is going to be different.

Disclaimer: Please be aware that the advice in this article should in no way replace that of a licensed veterinarian. The methods outlined above may or may not work for your pet. If you have any concerns, you should consult a veterinarian.