What’s Up With My Dogs Ears?

Are you noticing some discharges in and/or around your dog’s ears? Ear problems can be a severe issue when they arise. Ear problems in dogs are not a specific condition; it is usually a symptom of an underlying condition, such as dog ear yeast infection or mites.

Ear problems can be excruciating, and you should not allow your dog to suffer unnecessarily once you notice this issue. As a pet parent, knowing the signs of dog ear infections and other related problems is essential. In this guide, we will show you how to detect yeast infection in dogs, what to do when it happens, and how to prevent it.

Common Causes of Ear Problems in Dogs

Your dog might be suffering an ear problem due to a wide variety of reasons, including:

• Ear Infection: Infections are the most common ear problems these beautiful creatures suffer. This problem is common for various dog ear types but a bit intense for dogs with long ears. A dog ear infection is caused by an overgrowth of bacteria and/or yeast. Ear infection in dogs can affect one or the two ears. Common signs of yeast infection in dogs include scratching, itching, dog-ear flap swollen and reddish, foul odor, etc.
• Parasites: One of the common parasites that affect dogs is ear mite. These microscopic parasites feed on the blood and their hosts. Ear mites are contagious; they move from one animal to another. Just a few ear mites can cause your dog to itch or scratch.
• Allergic Skin Condition: Dogs with allergic dermatitis are likely to suffer secondary ear infections.
• Foreign Objects: Some dogs suffer irritation and pain due to foreign bodies like grass seed or debris entering their ears.
• Ear Shape: Some dogs are more susceptible to ear problems than others because of their ear shape. Dogs with narrow ear canals and floppy ears are more vulnerable to these conditions.

Ear Problem Symptoms in Dogs

Here are some mild to severe dog ear infection symptoms:

• Continuous and excessive scratching of the ears and around the head
• Shaking of the head
• Occasional discharges and foul smells from the ears
• Aggressiveness when the infected area is touched
• Swollen, red, hot, and/or painful ears
• Scrubbing their face or ears on the floor, furniture, etc.
• Increased wax production in the ear canals
• Hearing loss or deafness

How to Help Your Dog Prevent Ear Problems

Fortunately, there are a few ways you can help your dog to prevent such problems from occurring, some of which include:

• Check your dog’s ears regularly to observe any irregularities or changes.
• Ensure your dog’s ears are always clean and use only the right products for cleaning their ears.
• Ensure you remove debris and water from your dog’s ear canal after swimming by cleaning it thoroughly.
• Consult your vet if your dog has allergic skin diseases to prevent it from causing other severe health conditions.

Product Recommendations for Dog Ear Problems

• NHV Target Spray Supplement for Pets: This natural flea and tick supplement helps prevent and control external parasites causing severe health problems and discomfort in dogs and cats. The product is safe for long-term use, thanks to the natural ingredients used to make it. It contains herbal extracts that fight several skin conditions.
• Shake Organic Skin Topical Flea and Tick Repellent: The continuous use of this product will help prevent any infection or bacterial-causing ear problems in dogs. It would keep fleas and ticks away, ensuring your dog is free from parasites that could cause severe ear problems. This organic plant-based formula is safe for dogs and cats.
• Revolution Plus: Revolution Plus is a popular parasite protection formula for cats. However, the product works wonders for dogs. This product will protect your pet from the harmful pests they encounter daily. It protects against ticks, fleas, roundworms, ear mites, heartworms, and hookworms.
• Frontline Plus: Frontline Plus is another powerful solution against ear and skin problems in pets. This product is also effective against flea allergy dermatitis, one of the common causes of ear problems in dogs. It also controls and treats biting lice, ensuring your pet does not suffer from excessive itching and scratching.
• Pet Horizon EARrific Ear Cleanser: This ear cleanser helps dissolves wax in the ear for easy cleaning. In addition to cleaning the ears, the product eliminates odor. It also treats ear mite infestation, reduces inflammation, treats common ear infections, and soothes minor irritations. The product is highly effective and suitable for dogs and cats.
• Virbac Epic-Otic Ear Cleanser: This product is formulated to help prevent microbial action. It removes excessive wax and debris in the ear canal. The product contains natural herbs that help fight odor in the ears.
• Gold’s Ear Therapy for Dogs and Cats: This product has anti-bacterial and anti-fungal properties to prevent fungal and yeast infections in dogs. It contains aloe vera and other natural herbs to help reduce dog ear canal swelling and redness.

Detecting and solving your dog’s ear problem in time is vital. The abovementioned products will help you prevent and treat your pet’s ear problems.