How to Balance the Inner Ear
If your animal is holding his head to one side, is sensitive around his ears, is excessively scratching his ears or seems unbalanced, chances are he has an inner ear infection. Inner ear infections are painful and can leave your pet feeling dizzy. In order to balance the inner ear, the infection needs to be resolved. Treatment depends upon the severity of the inner ear infection.
Instructions
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Clean the ear with a gentle ear cleanser and cotton balls or squares. Pour the cleanser into the ear until it comes out, then massage the base of the ear to work up the debris that is in the ear. Use the cotton balls or squares to remove the discharge. Repeat this process until all the discharge is removed. Depending upon the temperament of your animal and the amount of pain she may in, sedation or anesthesia may be necessary in order to thoroughly clean the ear.
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Administer the medication that your veterinarian prescribes to your pet. If the medication is a topical ointment, squeeze a few drops into the canal and onto the ear flap, if it is inflamed. If the medication is oral, you can either open your dog's mouth and put the pills down his throat, or try to hide pills in cheese or peanut butter. If the infection is chronic and more severe, surgery may be necessary. In very chronic, severe cases, removal and closure of the entire ear canal, which is called a total ear ablation, may be necessary in order to stop the infections.
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Examine your dog and her ears about a week after you have begun treatment. If the ear looks clean and its color is back to its normal state, the infection has probably cleared. Additionally, if your pet stops scratching at the ear and doesn't hold the head to one side, these are signs that the inner ear infection has resolved. Although, even if the infection seems to have cleared up, it is important to finish the medication or give it to your dog for the length of time that your veterinarian has prescribed.
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Tips & Warnings
Before you can begin to balance the inner ear, you must take your animal to the veterinarian for a complete physical exam. Your veterinarian will need to look inside the ears of your dog with an otoscope. By looking inside the ear, the doctor can identify any inflammation or discharge due to an infection and can possibly see if there is any damage to the tympanic membrane, also called the ear drum.
Many inner ear infections are results of middle ear infections that have spread further inside the ear. If you are suspicious your dog has an ear infection, treating the infection early can prevent further problems and unnecessary pain. Additionally, some inner ear infections are due to tumors and allergies. These issues must be resolved before the inner ear infection can ever be fully healed.
Inflammation of the inner ear can lead to deafness and loss of balance in your animal. Therefore, it is important to begin treatment at the first sign of any ear abnormalities.
