How To Use Dog Ear Infection Treatments
The process is quick and simple. It’s identical to most of the best dog ear infection treatment products in liquid form . Here are the quick steps to follow:
The whole procedure doesn’t take long, but many dogs will now allow you to drip liquid into their ears that easily.
You may need some help to hold the pooch. For a complete picture of how to do this, read this guide from VetMed.
- For regular dog ear infection cases, do this once a day for 7 days.
- Chronic dog ear infection cases, do this once a day for 14 days.
- For any severe ear infections in dogs, consult the vet and follow the vet’s advice.
That said, here are the five best dog ear infection treatments and what you should know about them.
Remember to check with your veterinarian before using any of these.
The Best Way To Clear Up An Infection In Your Dog’s Ear
If your dog develops an ear infection, it can break your heart to see him in so much discomfort.
And if you want to get it cleared up quickly, youll need to know which treatment options are most effective and which ones to avoid.
We spoke with Dr. Cristina Bustamante, an associate veterinarian with Caring Hands Animal Hospital in Florida and founder of Dr. B. Vet, who told us all about the best approach to dog ear infection treatment.
What To Do If Your Dog Is Suffering From Ear Problems
If you think your dog may be suffering from ear problems then the most important first step is to take a trip to your vet.
Ear conditions are very unlikely to clear up on their own and the longer it remains untreated then the harder it is to clear up the problem. Its true that some breeds of dogs – ones with long dangly ears such as Springer Spaniels – are more prone to ear problems than others.
Dogs which spend a lot of time in water may also suffer from regular ear problems, as well as dogs with allergies. If your dog is the kind of breed that is susceptible to ear problems or has long ears make it a part of your grooming routine to check their the ears regularly. Keep the ears clean and if you spot a problem contact your vet to see if they think you further investigation is needed.
If you have any questions or concerns about your pets health, contact your local Calder Vets branch.
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Location Of Dog Ear Infections
When your dog gets an ear infection, its critical to consider how deep the irritation runs. Your dog can experience infections on the outer part of the ear , in the middle of the ear , and deep inside the ear .
Middle and inner ear infections are generally more serious than external ear infections because they can be very painful and even disrupt your dogs hearing and balance. In severe cases, middle or inner ear infections can result in deafness.
Preventing Ear Infections In Dogs
Rather than treating ear infections, you can prevent them! Adding an ear cleaning routine to your grooming and bathing regimen can help prevent ear infections. If you have a breed that is more prone to ear infections, cleaning may have to be more frequent. Another good prevention method is consistently drying the inside of your dogs ear after swimming or bathing. Simply use a towel and/or cotton ball to dry out the ear before the moisture has time to fester.
Before implementing an ear cleaning routine, have your veterinarian or vet tech demonstrate how to clean your dogs ears. Using the wrong technique or cleaning too often can damage your dogs ear canal. Never use a cotton-tipped applicator when cleaning your dogs ears unless otherwise advised by your veterinarian. Dog ears are shaped very differently than the human ear and cleaning too deeply can cause damage to the eardrum.
Don’t let ear infections keep you and your dog from enjoying the great outdoors as the weather warms up. Instead, take a few simple steps to ensure your pups ears stay clean and dry while still having a great spring season.
The information provided in this blog is intended for educational purposes only and should not serve as a substitute for the professional medical advice of your veterinarian. Always consult your veterinarian with questions about your pets health and before initiating any treatment regimes.
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Ointments And Creams Administered With A Tube
Otomax is a combination of antimicrobial, corticosteroid and antifungal components. It can treat acute and chronic ear infections whether they are caused by yeast or bacteria. Your veterinarian must prescribe it for your dog.
Panolog is also used to treat canine ear infections and inflammation. Panolog is available in cream and ointment formulations. It combines anti-itching, antimicrobial, antifungal, and corticosteroid drugs in one compound. It is helpful for bacterial and yeast-induced infections, and is also used in the treatment of canine skin conditions. Like Otomax, Panolog requires a prescription.
One other medication your veterinarian might prescribe is Tritop. In addition to its antibiotic and anti-inflammatory properties, Tritop provides topical pain relief.
Ointments and creams for canine ear infections come in tubes, and are administered by inserting the tube a small distance into the dogs outer ear, using caution to avoid injuring the dog’s ear canal and eardrum. You should not insert the tube deeply into the ear. Squeezing the tube releases a small amount of medication, which you should gently massage into your dog’s ear. As with other ear medications, your dog may shake his or her head vigorously after administration. This is expected and does not mean the medication will not work.
Over The Counter Medications For Mild Ear Infections
For mild yeast, bacterial, viral infections of the ear, your vet may first suggest Zymox Otic Enzymatic Solution with hydrocortisone. It treats the external ear for acute and chronic inflammation. It is also available without hydrocortisone. You can purchase this medication over the counter, without a prescription.
To use Zymox, apply enough to fill the dog’s ear canal. Massage the dog’s ear gently, allowing the medication some time to penetrate where it is needed. Permit the pet to shake his or her head to remove excess medication after you administer it consider taking your dog outside for treatment. You must not Zymox with other topical ear medications or cleaning solutions.
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Does Pet Insurance Cover Dog Ear Infection Medicine
Ear infections are usually covered by pet insurance, although only if it is a new infection and not one that has resurfaced or one that was present before the insurance coverage started. If your dog has previously suffered with ear infections, your policy may not cover any new instances of it, and it is worth checking whether this is the case with your insurance. If you have a breed that is known to be especially susceptible to ear infections, it is worth checking that any policy you are considering specifically includes coverage for this type of complaint.
The relatively low cost of treatment means that your policy may not kick in. For example, if the total cost is under $100 and you have a $100 excess, you will have to pay for everything yourself.
Before Taking This Medicine
You should not use this medication if your child is allergic to it. Do not apply A & D without a rubber glove or finger cot if you are allergic this medication.
Ask a doctor or pharmacist if it is safe for you to use this medication on your child if the child is allergic to any medicines or skin products, including soaps, oils, lotions, or creams.
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Symptoms Of An Ear Infection In Dogs
If your dog does acquire an ear infection they are going to feel very uncomfortable and can experience some pretty painful symptoms. If your dog shows any of the following signs of an ear infection contact your vet straight away to book an examination for your pet. Early treatment of ear infections can help to prevent more severe symptoms from developing.
- Odor in the ear
- Redness inside of the ear
- Yellow, brown or bloody discharge
- Scratching or pawing at the ear
- Swelling of the ear
- Crusts or scabs just inside the ear
- Rubbing ear on floor or furniture
If your dog is suffering from a more severe ear infection you may notice other symptoms such as:
- Loss of balance or coordination
- Signs of hearing loss
What Other Drugs Will Affect A & D Topical
It is not likely that other drugs you take orally or inject will have an effect on topically applied A & D. But many drugs can interact with each other. Tell your doctor about all medications you use. This includes prescription, over-the-counter, vitamin, and herbal products. Do not start a new medication without telling your doctor.
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What If Your Dog Has Chronic Ear Infections
Chronic ear infections can be time-consuming and frustrating for the pet, the owner, and even the veterinarian.
Certain breeds of dogs are known to more commonly experience recurring ear infection issues, according to the Veterinary Information Network.3 This can be partly due to genetics, ear shape, or ear confirmation. Over time, proliferative ear tissue can form, making treatment more difficult.
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Cocker Spaniels and Springer Spaniels commonly get chronic infections due to long, floppy ears and a high numbers of ceruminous glands .
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Shar-Peis have small ear canals that can trap and hide debris.
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Labrador Retrievers and Golden Retrievers are prone to allergies and underlying sensitivities leading to chronic or recurrent ear infection.
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Schnauzers and Poodles often have excess hair deep in the ear canal.
Chronic dog ear infections require closely working with your veterinarian to treat. It is important that your vet does testing to choose the appropriate medication. Chronic infections can require medication consistently for 6 to 8 weeks.
After treatment, testing is needed again to ensure that all the infection has cleared. If we stop medicating too soon or do not treat underlying problems, it is easy for the infection to return, sometimes even becoming resistant to many medications.
How Does Zymox Otic Enzymatic Solution With Hydrocortisone Work
Zymox Otic Enzymatic Solution with Hydrocortisone has what the manufacturer calls the Zymox LP3 Enzyme System. Each enzyme has its own unique properties that, when combined, becomes a powerful antimicrobial formula. Glucose Oxidase is an enzyme that works with Lactoperoxidase to form antimicrobial ions. Lactoferrin is an iron-binding protein that inhibits microorganism growth by depriving them of iron. Lactoperoxidase is a milk derived enzyme that is combined in a system along with glucose oxidase to form the hypothiocyanate or hypoiodite ion to oxidize the metabolic pathways of microorganisms. Lysozyme is an enzyme that effectively kills harmful bacteria by disrupting the formation of the cell wall. The anti-inflammatory action of hydrocortisone reduces itching and inflammation. Zymox Otic Enzymatic Solution with Hydrocortisone may not work if used with other topical ear medications or cleansers.
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Oral Medication To Treat Bacterial Infections
For strictly bacterial infections, your veterinarian might prescribe an oral medication. In most cases this will be Baytril, a fluoroquinolone antibiotic. An animal receiving Baytril should be watched for side effects, including allergic reactions. Difficulty breathing or swallowing, swelling of any part of the face, and itchy bumps known as hives are all allergic reactions. If any of them occur, discontinue the medication immediately and call your veterinarian’s office. Less serious side effects include loss of appetite, diarrhea, vomiting or drowsiness. If you observe these, call your veterinarian to find out how to proceed.
Treating Ear Infections In Dogs
If your dog is diagnosed with an ear infection your vet will take the time to clean your dog’s ear with a medicated cleanser and prescribe any antibiotics or anti-inflammatory medications appropriate for treating your pet’s ear infection. Your veterinarian may also prescribe a topical medication and instruct you on how and when to apply it to your dog’s ear at home.
When treated in the early stages, an uncomplicated ear infection will typically clear up within just a week or two. If your dog’s ear infection is more severe or is caused by an underlying health condition, treatment may be more challenging and may take months to resolve. In many cases, more severe cases result in chronic ear infections in dogs or repeated ear infections over the course of the pet’s lifetime.
Following your vet’s instructions carefully will be essential to clearing up your dog’s ear infection as quickly as possible. Not finishing prescriptions, or stopping treatment before the infection has completely cleared can lead to recurring, chronic or more severe ear infections in dogs that may become increasingly difficult to treat.
Follow-up appointments with your vet are highly recommended for dog ear infections. While it may look as if the infection has cleared there can still be traces of infection that are difficult for owners to spot.
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Cat Ear Infection Treatment
There are a number of things you can do to treat your cats ear infection at home. First, you can try using a warm compress to help soothe the pain and inflammation. You can also clean your cats ears with a solution of half vinegar and half water. Finally, you can give your cat a small amount of over-the-counter antihistamine to help with the itchiness.
Mites account for about half of all cat ear infections. Ear infections can cause deafness and paralysis in the face if left untreated. An antibiotic, anti-parasitic medication, antifungal medication, or corticosteroids are the most commonly used medications. The cat will show his discomfort by scratching or rubbing his ear, causing discomfort. To avoid painful ear infections in the future, it is critical to check your ear on a regular basis. Healthy ears have no visible debris or odor and are usually pale pink. Diabetes, allergies, and a weakened immune system are all risk factors for ear infections in cats. In some cases, surgery may be required to remove swollen tissue that has narrowed or closed the ear canal.
What Is The Goal Of Ear Canal Surgery
There are several surgical procedures that are used to treat this problem. The most commonly performed surgery is called a lateral ear resection. The goal of the surgery is to remove the vertical part of the ear canal and to eliminate the swollen tissue from the horizontal canal. It is relatively easy to remove the vertical canal, but removal of large amounts of tissue from the horizontal canal is more difficult. In some cases, it is necessary to remove the entire ear canal , which may result in permanent impairment of hearing. See handout “Total Ear Canal Ablation and Bulla Osteotomy ” for information on this surgery.
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Treatments For Ear Mites
Ear mites are diagnosed by examination of discharge from the ear under a microscope. If found, they can be treated with 0.1% Ivermectin. To prevent the recurrence of ear mites, a dog should receive systemic anti-parasite treatment. These are usually administered topically and prevent infestation by fleas, ticks, or mites, or some combination of those. Popular and effective brands include Revolution, Advantage and Frontline.
Causes & Risk Factors
Young girls are especially susceptible to vulvovaginitis because they dont yet have pubic hair or fatty labia to protect against irritants to the delicate skin of the vulva, such as tight clothing or harsh soaps, or estrogen to help prevent infection in the vaginal tract.
Common causes of vulvovaginitis in young women include:
- Irritation of the genital area caused by harsh soaps, detergents, chemicals , and tight clothing
- Skin conditions such as eczema
- Poor hygiene including improper wiping
- Pinworms common parasites in children
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The Importance Of Dog Ear Infection Medicine
Ear infections are common in most pets, but especially in dogs. They can be caused by anything from ear mites to bacterial infection or physical injury.
The most common symptom is your dog scratching or messing around with their ear, but more advanced symptoms include a brown discharge coming from the ear as well as a strong smell in the area. The ear may become red and swollen and your dog may suffer some degree of hearing loss. If the infection is particularly bad, it can cause your dog to lose balance or walk in circles. Generally, floppy-eared dogs are more prone to infections, while those dogs that love to jump in puddles and ponds are more likely to experience bacterial infections.
Left untreated, an ear infection can become progressively worse and may, eventually, lead to hearing loss and to neurological disorders. It is important that you consult a vet if you believe your dog is suffering. They will be able to identify the cause and severity, and they will be able to advise on the best course of action.
Otitis will not usually go away on its own. It needs treatment. Your dog may become better equipped to cope with the discomfort and pain, which may make it seem like the infection has gone, but this isnt the case. You will need antibiotics or another course of treatment to help ensure it has been dealt with.