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If your dog frequently scratches its ears or rubs its ears on you or your furniture, it is probably trying to relieve itchiness. Occasional itchy ears may not signal trouble for your dog, but when experienced often, this usually suggests a health issue that needs veterinarian treatment. Several possible causes could be at the root of your dog's itchy ears problem.
Itchy ears are very common among dogs. You may have noticed your dog shaking its head or scratching its ears. This could indicate that your dog is suffering from allergies, dry skin, ear mites, infections or trauma. It's best to have your dog examined by a veterinarian to determine the exact cause of discomfort because there may be a more serious underlying condition. For common ailments, home treatments are highly effective.
Dogs scratch their ears when they get water in them after bathing or swimming, during ear mite infestations, as a result of ear infections or excess wax build-up and sometimes simply out of boredom. Cleaning your dog's ears can help determine the cause of your dog's itchy ears and whether veterinary care is needed, especially when infection or ear mites are present. If veterinary care is unnecessary, use this home remedy to clean your dog's ears and to treat the itchiness.
If your dog is digging at his ears and rubbing his head, suspect itchy ears. Yeast infections, bacterial infections, allergies or ear mites may cause the irritation. According to the website "Dog Health," redness and discharge are symptoms of ear infection. If your dog has a severe infection, he will need the help of a veterinarian. For other causes, there are several home remedies for itchy ears that may help.
If your dog is rubbing its ears on the floor, scratching them like it is trying to rip them off or excessively shaking its head, chances are, it has an ear infection. When a dog has an ear infection, a large amount of uncomfortable debris is produced, along with irritation and aching. As a means of relief, your dog will do whatever it feels may help, which may include attacking the side of your couch by rubbing its ear all over it. Fortunately, many ear infections are easy to treat, as long as you are persistent about treating them.
If your dog is digging and rubbing his head, it's safe to suspect an itchy ear. Allergies, yeast infections, bacterial infections, ear mites and foreign bodies may cause irritation. Severe infections require the help of a veterinarian. Dog Health lists redness and discharge as symptoms of ear infection. For any other cause however, several herbal solutions will help soothe and heal your dog's itchy ear.
Itchy ears are more common in some dogs than others, and especially in those who have long, droopy ears such as basset hounds or cocker spaniels. Itchy ears can be caused by a number of factors.
When a dog's ears are irritated, it often scratches them incessantly with its paw or rubs the side of its head on furniture. To relieve the itching, there are numerous topical remedies available. However, by identifying the underlying cause of the irritation, you and your veterinarian can stop the problem permanently.
Canine ear rashes that are itchy and crusty must be treated as soon as possible by a veterinarian. These rashes have several causes.