Ear And Head Pain

Ear infections can be very uncomfortable for dogs. Many if not most dogs suffer from ear infection at some point in their lives. The majority of them will be clear with treatment as a basic veterinary antibacterial ointment, but a proportion will not rise properly or does not seem clear and then later recur.

The ears of dogs is composed of three different parts: internal, middle and outer. The eardrum separates the middle ear from the external ear. Problems with the inner and middle ear often show neurological signs such as loss of balance, circling or head tilt. In this article we focus on the most common problems associated with the outer ear, known as otitis externa.

What makes some dogs more susceptible to ear infections than others?

1. Breed. Ear infections can occur in any race, but Cocker Spaniels, Shar Peis, Poodles and other dogs floppy ears are more sensitive. Cockers are prone to ear infections because they have glands secreting more than other breeds. Sharpeis are predisposed due to the conformation of their ear canal. Poodles are more prone to ear infections because of excessive hair in the ear canal, trapping moisture.

2. Allergy. Many animals have multiple allergies may flare ups of eyes, ears and skin at the same time. 25% of food allergic dogs have ear disease as their only symptom.

3. ear shape. Pets with floppy ears are more prone to ear infections because the air does not dry out your ears naturally, as it does for animals with erect ears.

4. Hair. Hair in the ear canal can keep moisture trapped in the ear canal, leading to infections. Hair in the ear canal must be removed regularly by your pet groomer or a veterinarian.

5. Swimming. Dogs who spend time in water, such as Labrador Retrievers, are more susceptible to ear infections as micro-organisms love wetlands.

How do I know if my dog has an ear infection?

Most ear infections are obvious as there is an acrid smell and the discharge of wax in the affected ear. However, sometimes the ear will look perfectly normal from the outside but will be intensely itchy for the dog. Anyway, it is preferable to have a veterinarian examine the ear to make sure that no foreign matter such as grass seed stuck in the ear canal. Signs of an ear infection are:

1. Scratching the affected ear.
2. Shaking his head.
3. Rub the affected ear on the ground or against a vertical object, like the sofa.
4. Redness inside the external ear and ear canal.
5. Discharge of the ear canal. This can vary from brown wax pus.
6. A pungent odor from the ear region.
7. Tenderness or irritability when the ear is touched.

My dog has an ear infection, is it possible that I can treat at home without going to the vet?

You take a risk if you do not ask for veterinary help. Many ear infections are easy to nip in the bud with antibiotic ointment if caught early, but if left to develop can be stubborn to treat. Keep in mind also that if there is something like a grass seed in the ear canal, you can not do the will to provide relief for that, it would need to be removed under sedation or complete anesthesia. Your veterinarian can look into the canal with an otoscope to visualize the problem and make sure the eardrum is perforated nor, distribute medicines you can not buy anywhere other than from a veterinarian or an order of veterinarian. Your veterinarian will also be able to identify all the underlying factors or predisposition that can be eradicated, such as allergies, conducting a complete physical examination.

However, infections are benign can sometimes be cured with treatment at home. F.