In my grooming shop, I come
into contact with many, many dogs. Not a
day goes by where I don't see at least one dog with an ear
infection.
The majority of times, the infections are found in "drop
ear" dogs
such as Poodles, Spaniels, and Bichons. I rarely see ear
infections
in dogs with perky, erect ears such as Yorkies, Chihuahuas,
and
Scotties. The reason for this is that air does not circulate
into the
ears of drop-ear dogs. Also, in long-haired dogs, hair grows
inside
the ears, and when it accumulates, even less air gets in. The
ears
become a perfect breeding ground for bacteria.
The signs of an ear infection are usually very obvious. An
accumulation of brown debris is a sure sign that something is
wrong.
The debris will be accompanied by a strong, foul odor; another
sure
sign of infection, even if you don't see any debris. Sometimes
the
ear leather (the underside of the dog's ear) looks dry and
flaky. In
many cases, the dog will frequently shake his head and scratch
his
ears. That's because ear infections itch and HURT! With a
severe
infection, the dog might flinch and even cry out when you
touch his
ear.
Pet stores sell various ear medications, but there are many
types of
infections. In the long run, you can save your dog from
unnecessary
suffering by taking him to your vet who will diagnose the
infection
and provide the proper medicine. The vet will also determine
if the
problem is being caused by ear mites, in which case he'll give
you
drops containing antibiotic and insecticide. Whatever medicine
he
gives you, it's crucial to follow his instructions and
complete the
course of treatment to prevent a recurrence. Recurring ear
infections
are very common.
Of course, prevention is the best medicine. From the day you
get your
dog, you should check his ears regularly for excessive dirt or
unusual odor. Hair that grows inside the dog's ear canal is
very easy
to pull out. You can ask your vet or groomer to show you how
it's
done. If you start doing this when your dog is a pup, he
shouldn't
give you a hard time.
A healthy ear is pale pink and has no odor. A little bit of
wax or
dirt in the outer portion of the ear canal is perfectly
normal. This
can be carefully removed with a piece of gauze or a Q-tip. You
should
never stick a Q-tip inside the ear canal. Only clean what you
can
easily see. Your vet or groomer can also show you how to clean
your
dog's ears.
By keeping your dog's ears clean and healthy, you can avoid
having
him suffer from a painful infection.
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