Remedies for a Canine Ear Infection

Dogs who swim frequently are especially prone to ear infections.

Many dogs are prone to ear infections, especially if they have floppy ears that tend to trap moisture inside the ear canal. This natural predisposition is doubled if the dog swims frequently, as moisture is the primary culprit behind most infections. Ear infections are generally caused by either ear mites or an overabundance of yeast or bacteria, and any excess moisture in the ear creates the perfect conditions for these critters to flourish. Some dogs tend to develop chronic ear problems, but most ear infections can be wiped out with a rigid treatment schedule that involves daily cleaning and medicating.

Tresaderm

Tresaderm is a liquid medication that contains thiabendazole, dexamethasone and neomycin sulfate, and is especially effective at treating infections caused by bacteria. It is sometimes mixed with Ivermectin as a treatment for ear mites. Tresaderm has a very soothing effect on the ear canal, partly because it is kept in the refrigerator and feels cool on inflamed tissues, but also because of the dexamethasone, which suppresses inflammation.

Panolog

Panolog is a cream formula that contains nystatin, neomycin sulfate, thiostrepton and triamcinolone acetonide, and is a versatile medication. Panolog suppresses inflammation, reduces pus discharge and kills both yeast and bacteria, and can also be used to prevent infection on superficial wounds. Very rarely, a mild reaction to Panolog can produce redness and swelling at the application site, in which case the medication should be discontinued.

Otomax

Otomax contains gentamycin, betamethazone and clotrimazole, and is available in both ointment and liquid. It is a strong antifungal and antibacterial medication and has effective anti-inflammatory properties. Because of the potency of the medication, it is recommended that the infection be cultured to identify the bacteria involved and the drug it is sensitive to before using Otomax, as improper use can cause cross-tolerance, rendering further treatment ineffective.

Zymox

Zymox is a liquid medication made up of a proprietary blend of antibacterial and antifungal ingredients, and is available with added hydrocortisone for reducing inflammation. More convenient than traditional ear medications, Zymox works best in a dirty ear, which means no daily cleaning, and is only applied once daily. Because Zymox is enzyme-based, it is effective against antibiotic-resistant microorganisms and can be used for up to two months with no ill effects.

Oral Antibiotics

In some cases, the ear infection is severe enough that the vet will treat it both topically and systemically. This is common in chronic cases. The vet will prescribe a broad-spectrum antibiotic in addition to a topical preparation, which enables the medication to attack the infection in two ways. Oral antibiotics must be finished completely even if the ear looks better before the pills are gone, or else the few remaining bacteria could take root and flourish once again.

References

• Drugs: Panolog Cream
• Drugs: Otomax
• Drugs: Tresaderm
• PKB Animal Health: Zymox Otic