
How To Identify Dog Ear Infections and What to Do About Them
Ears are the most fun and expressive part of the dog’s body. When your dog wiggles his ears or pricks them up, it’s a supremely visual display that he feels good.
As you probably noticed, dogs’ ear shape is different from ours and that accounts for the prevalence of infections. Because of the different shapes, it’s easier for dirt and moisture to become trapped inside a dog’s ear. This creates an environment in which bacteria grow and thrive.
Dog ear infections and other problems are very common in our furry friends and can cause some serious health issues. If you suspect that your dog might have an ear infection or concern, it’s important to know how to spot and treat the problem on time.
Types and Causes
Certain bacteria are known to cause canine ear infections. This includes Staphylococcus, Streptococcus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The bacteria can be introduced into the puppy’s ears when they come into contact with another animal’s saliva. These bacteria are also commonly found in stagnant water or mud after heavy rainfalls, so it is important to keep your puppy away from areas where these conditions exist.

Some other causes that may lead to a dog ear infection are allergies, inflammation of the sebaceous glands, and the accumulation of dirt and debris on the hair around the puppy’s ear.
The most common cause of dog ear infections is yeast. This type of infection is called “otitis externa” as it affects the outer part of the ear. The problem occurs when yeast or bacteria grow on the skin inside the dog’s ear canal. The resulting irritation causes inflammation, swelling and pain.
Signs
The first sign of dog ear infection is usually redness of the skin inside the dog’s ears. The second sign is usually a discharge from a puncture wound in the ear that isn’t healing properly. The third sign is usually an odour coming from the dog’s ears that seems to be getting worse instead of better. Dog ear infections need to be treated quickly, or they can lead to other problems with your dog’s health.

In addition to being painful, an untreated dog ear infection can lead to inflammation of the middle and inner parts of the ear canal. This condition, called otitis externa, leads to even more problems with your pet’s hearing and balance.
Treatment
There are two kinds of dog ear medications. One is for external use and the other is for internal use. External use types are applied directly to the affected areas. They can be administered topically or in liquid form. The internal type, on the other hand, is ingested by the dog through oral consumption of tablets or capsules.
Treatments for dog ear infections vary depending on the cause of the condition. In many cases, a veterinarian will recommend over-the-counter veterinary medications or prescription drops to help clean out the debris and soothe skin irritation inside the ears. It is recommended that you follow your veterinarian’s instructions before using any dog ear drops to keep your pet safe.
If the infection is due to allergies, your veterinarian may prescribe a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID).
If the infection is due to bacteria or fungi that are sensitive to antibiotics, your veterinarian may prescribe antibiotic veterinary medications. The most common type of antibiotic provided by vets when treating this type of infection is Amoxicillin. This drug helps to fight against bacterial infections present within your dogs’ ears. It also relieves inflammation and swelling so that there will be less pain in the ears themselves and they will heal faster.

A veterinarian may also give you some antibiotic drops which can be applied directly into the ears where they are needed to help keep them clean as well as make them feel better as quickly as possible. It should be administered twice a day for the first five days and then once a day before bedtime for an additional 10 days. This medicine can be bought at any pet store and should be administered by a vet or yourself.
There are also sprays that can be effective both for treatment and prevention. Lysol disinfectant spray can kill bacteria, viruses and germs that might have entered your dog’s ear. It should be sprayed around the dog’s ear area and on the outer part of its ear once a week. This will help prevent future infections from occurring.
Dogs with ear infections can also secondary bacterial infections, but this is usually only caused by untreated primary fungal or viral infections that have spread from other parts of the body (such as the skin or intestines). The most common causes of dog ear infections are mites, yeast and bacteria that are often found in dog beds so it’s a smart choice to do a thorough cleaning to prevent spread to different parts of the body.
Is It Contagious?
When you share your home with a dog that has an ear infection, you should take precautions to prevent the transmission of bacteria from their infected ears to yours. This is especially important if you have existing health problems such as asthma or diabetes because these conditions make you more susceptible to infections.

The catch is that humans don’t get the same kind of dog ear infections that dogs do. The symptoms of dog ear infections are the same in both cases; it’s just that the actual cause differs.
In most cases, people who have contracted a dog ear infection will develop a skin rash or redness of the skin. In some cases, open sores may appear. Your doctor may prescribe antibiotics in order to prevent any further complications from developing.
To Sum Up
The key point to take away from this guide is that dog ear infections are nothing to be scared of. As long as you keep an eye on your pet and treat the infection when it comes up, you shouldn’t have to worry about anything too serious.
If you do have a dog with an ear infection, make sure you check with your veterinarian before giving them any medication. While over-the-counter preparations can be helpful in mild cases, if your pet has a severe infection then it may be best to go with more powerful antibiotics from the get-go.
