There are two types that are most often seen and diagnosed by your veterinarian. The first one is Otitis Externa which is an infection of the external ear canal. The second type of ear infection in dogs is Otitis Media which is an infection of the middle ear. Some breeds of dogs are more prone to ear infections than others, but any dog can have one. Breeds such as Cocker Spaniels, Bassett Hounds, or any dogs that have hairy inner ear flaps tend to have a higher occurrence of ear infections. Most ear infections can be easily diagnosed and treated, but if left untreated can result in serious damage and hearing impairment.

Causes and Symptoms of Ear Infections in Dogs

The most common cause of ear infections in dogs is yeast and bacteria. This can be seen more in otitis externa than in the middle ear infection. Other causes of otitis externa include:

• Thick or matted hair in the ear canal
• Build up of debris
• Accumulation of wax
• Foreign bodies
• Tumor
• Impaired drainage of the ear

Otitis media can be caused by the spread of an infection from the external ear to the middle ear. Also, if you do not clean your dog’s ears properly or they get debris deep within the ear, this can rupture the eardrum and allow the infection to reach the inner ear.

When a dog first has an ear infection you may notice that he or she is very uncomfortable. They may shake their head or scratch at their ears constantly which can then lead to redness or inflammation. There may be a strong odor and even a yellow or black discharge coming from their ear. Also, if they tilt their head from one side to another this can show you that they have a middle ear infection.

Diagnosis and Treatment of Ear Infections in Dogs

When you first notice signs that your dog is in distress or constantly tugging at it’s ear, it is time to head to the veterinarian for a proper checkup of his ears. They may start by looking at the outside of the ear, and checking the eardrum to make sure it is still intact.

Certain medications that are given to dogs with ruptured eardrums can cause hearing loss, so it is important that your veterinarian looks at their eardrum before administering any medication.

After the initial exam using an instrument that magnifies the ear canal, they may take a sample of the substances in the ear to determine whether an organism is causing the infection. They may at this point sedate the dog to remove parasitic irritants such as ticks or if there is a heavy buildup of secretions. If there is a middle ear infection, the veterinarian may call for an x-ray, or further lab tests.

Medication is most often given to treat the infection along with a list of things that you need to do for your dog, such as cleaning the ears daily for up to two weeks. You also need to keep water from entering your pets ears, so no swimming and no baths are allowed during treatment. It may take up to six weeks for the antibiotics or other medication to work thoroughly. It is important that during this time you do not miss any doses as a full course of treatment is required for them to make a complete recovery. The longer the infection has been present, the harder it is to get rid of.

Ear infections in dogs can be cured with the right treatment. However, if they have reoccurring infections, these may be caused by allergies or thyroid disease which would require separate treatment. A weekly cleaning with cleansing solution will help to prevent future ear infections, especially in dogs that have long hair in their ears.

Medstore International lists over the counter antibacterial/antifungal ear drops called Surolan (Miconazole/Prednisolone/Polymyxin B sulp) and prescription antibiotic/antifungal ear drops called Baytril Otic (Enrofloxacin/Silver Sulfadiazine) for ear problems in dogs.

To view strength, pack size, pricing information and to buy click on either of the products below;

Baytril Otic
Surolan

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