Dog ear infection is a common problem among dogs. It can be caused by various factors like allergies, over-bathing, insect bites and fungi. The signs of the infection are redness, inflammation and pus formation in the dog’s ears.
The treatment for this condition varies depending on the type of infection but it typically involves antibiotics or antifungal medications to reduce swelling along with topical treatments that help unblock your pet’s ears. There are also home remedies that you can use to treat this condition without consulting a veterinarian which will be discussed later in this article.
Before we discuss the treatment, let’s take a look at what is ear infection in dogs and how they can be prevented.
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What Is Ear Infection In Dogs?
Ear infections are one of the most common problems in dogs. They may be caused by various factors like allergies, over-bathing, insect bites and fungi. The signs of the infection include redness, inflammation and pus formation in your dog’s ears.
The treatment for this condition varies depending on the type of infection but it usually involves antibiotics or antifungal medications to reduce swelling along with topical treatments that help drain your pet’s ears. There are also home remedies that you can follow which will be discussed later in this article.
What Causes Dog Ear Infection?
Ear infections in dogs can be caused by various factors including allergies, over-bathing, insect bites and fungi. If your dog is constantly scratching his ears or shaking his head excessively, then there is a high chance that he may have an ear infection. Moreover, if you notice bad odor coming from your pet’s ears along with reddening of the skin surrounding them, then it’s also another sign of this condition.
Dog ear fungus is another common cause for this problem because pets are very prone to getting fungal infections especially when they spend most of their time outdoors. However, these conditions are not only limited to older dogs but puppies too can get affected by any of these.
Symptoms Of Dog Ear Infection: The signs of a dog ear infection vary depending upon the cause and the stage of the condition. However, some common symptoms can include: Scratching or shaking head excessively Bad odor from the ear Reddening & inflammation around the ears Pus formation in dogs If your dog is exhibiting any of these signs then you will need to take him to a veterinarian as soon as possible for proper diagnosis and treatment. In case you have an old dog at home who has been suffering from this problem since a long time, you can try using some natural remedies to treat it so that he does not have to depend on antibiotics every time.
Natural Remedies For Treating Dog Ear Infection
Garlic For Dog Ear Infection
Garlic contains allicin which has powerful antifungal and anti-inflammatory properties that can help treat the ear infection. It also helps reduce swelling of the area just behind your pet’s ears where they are most prone to getting fungal infections.
According to a study, garlic is as effective as conventional treatments against chronic ear infections. You need to feed your dog around 225g of fresh garlic daily for treating this condition. However, don’t use processed or jarred garlic because it will not produce the same results as fresh garlic. Also make sure that you crush & grind the cloves before feeding them to your dog because whole cloves may get stuck in his throat and cause choking.
Apple Cider Vinegar For Dog Ear Infection
Apple cider vinegar is one of the most effective home remedies for dog ear infection because of its antifungal & antibacterial properties which target the fungi and bacteria that cause this condition. It also helps reduce swelling, itching and irritation in your pet’s ears.
You need to mix equal parts of apple cider vinegar with water and pour few drops into your dog’s ears two to three times during the day until his symptoms subside completely. Do not use undiluted apple cider vinegar because it can irritate your dog’s skin if used directly on him without mixing it with water first.Precaution: In case your dog is suffering from diabetes or any other chronic illness, then you need to consult with a veterinarian before using apple cider vinegar for treating the ear infection.
Natural Remedies For Dog Ear Infection In Puppies: Just like elderly dogs, puppies too can get affected by ear infections if they are not properly taken care of. The treatment for this condition in canines varies depending on their age and size because smaller dogs require only minimal medication while big breeds need stronger antibiotics for effective results. Some home remedies that you can follow to treat a puppy’s ear infection include.