Dog Ear Infections

Introduction

Ear Infections in Dogs Guide: Veterinarian reviewed information about Ear Infections, including what they are, how they affect your dog, and what options are available to manage this condition.

Definition

Hearing is one of the keenest senses in dogs, together with smell. Most dogs rely upon hearing and scent,much more than they do upon eyesight, to navigate their way through the world. The canine ear is made up of the external or outer ear, the middle ear and the internal or inner ear. Each of these distinct anatomical parts can become inflamed, irritated and/or infected, causing distinct symptoms in the affected dog that are referred to as otitis externa, otitis media or otitis interna, respectively. “Otitis” simply means inflammation of the ear. Canine ears are susceptible to infection and inflammation from a number of different causes, either at the very outer edge of the ear flaps or all the way down into the very inner ear canal. Ear problems are some of the most common reasons that owners take their dogs to a veterinarian.

Causes & Preventing Dog Ear Infections

A dog’s ears can become irritated for many reasons, from the outer edge of the ear flaps to the inner ear and at any place along the way. For purposes of this article, we will use the terms “ear inflammation,” “ear irritation,” “ear infection” and “ear problems or disorders” interchangeably. Our goal is to provide an overview of the things that commonly cause ear discomfort in dogs.Parasites – Parasites can cause tremendous ear irritation. Fleas

Symptoms of Ear Infections in Dogs

Hearing is one of the most important senses in dogs. Most canines rely upon hearing and smell to navigate their way through the world much more so than they rely upon sight, taste or touch. Ear problems are extremely common and, if left untreated, can cause affected animals to become miserable from itchiness and pain. There is no effective way for dogs to relieve their discomfort, other than rubbing, scratching and shaking their ears, which

Diagnosing and Tests for Dog Ear Infections

Ear infections and other ear disorders are extremely common in domestic dogs and can be caused by a number of unrelated conditions. Fortunately, they are not particularly difficult to diagnose. Still, it is important for owners who think that their dog may have an ear problem to take it to the veterinarian as soon as possible, so that the condition can be evaluated and properly addressed. The initial data base for a dog showing signs

Treating & Outlook of Ear Infections in Dogs

When an owner suspects that her dog has something wrong with its ears, she should take it to a veterinarian as soon as she can. Ear disorders are extremely common in companion dogs, and they can progressively become very serious and irreversibly damaging if left untreated. The goals of treating ear irritation, inflammation and infection are to relieve the dog’s discomfort, reduce inflammation of the ear canal and associated structures, eliminate any primary or secondary

How to Clean Your Dog’s Ears

It is a good idea to clean your dog’s ears on a weekly or bi-weekly basis. This is especially true if you live in a warm or humid environment, or if your dog has long floppy ears that can trap dirt and moisture. To clean your dog’s ears you’ll need just a few tools of the trade and an ear cleaning solution.The best tools to use for cleaning your dog’s ears are a good pair
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