How to Treat a Bacterial Ear Infection in a Dog
Canine ear infections are very common in dogs who swim often or have heavy, folded ears. Folded ears create a dark, moist environment that encourages yeast and bacterial infection. Although yeast infections are treatable with home remedies, bacterial infections require a veterinary prescription.
Instructions
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Check your dog's ears if you suspect a canine ear infection. Symptoms include red, irritated and swollen ear canals, excessive wax production, constant itching or head shaking, pus discharge and rotten smell. If you see any of these, take your dog to the vet. Bacterial ear infections are only treatable with antibiotic solutions that must be prescribed.
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Treat your dog's infection by lifting up its ear and squeezing the prescribed amount of liquid into the dog's ear canal. Do not wipe away or rinse.
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Place one finger in front of the ear, at its base, and your thumb in back of the ear, at its base. Gently massage the base of the ear to work debris and wax out while working the liquid in. Lift the dog's ear again and use a clean cloth or cotton ball to clean any debris and moisture from the outer ear.
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Repeat this process once a day, as prescribed. Don't stop halfway through; finish the full round of antibiotics, regardless of whether the symptoms are still obvious.
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Tips & Warnings
Feed dogs a diet high in Vitamin C to protect them from infection.
Clean a dog's ears every time it goes swimming to prevent ear infections. Lift the dog's ear and use a cotton swab or cotton ball to dry the ear as completely as you can.
Pushing too far into a dog's ear with a cotton swab could burst the ear drum.
References
Resources
- Photo Credit Tired Cocker Spaniel image by Van Ness from Fotolia.com
