If you own a dog, then chances are that your furry friend has ear troubles from time to time (just like humans). It is important to take your dog’s ear health seriously. There are many things you can do to treat your pooch’s ear problems at home with ear drops for dogs.
Understanding Ear Problems In Dogs
A dog ear infection is probably the most common ear problem that dog owners face. It’s usually caused by yeast, bacteria, or mites (heartworms also cause ear problems, but this article won’t discuss heartworm treatment). If left untreated, ear infections can lead to hearing loss and even brain damage due to inflammation of the eardrum (also known as “tympanic membrane”).
Another ear problem you might want to watch out for is an ear hematoma. This is a blood-filled pocket that forms under the skin next to the ear canal. Usually, only small breeds are affected by this type of ear problem because their ears are more prone to trauma than larger breed dogs. A dog with an ear hematoma will usually hold its ear tilted toward the ground and show pain when you handle the ear.
Cleaning Your Dog’s Ears
Before applying ear drops for dogs, it is important to make sure your dog’s ear canal is free of any debris or dirt. You can accomplish this by gathering cotton swabs and hydrogen peroxide (3 percent) and cleaning your dog’s ear like a human ear (gently wipe the ear flap and around the ear).
If your dog has an ear infection, then chances are that his ear might be filled with brownish wax; in which case, you should use ear mite treatment first on him before using ear drops for dogs. Just follow the ear drop-ear mites treatment, and you should be good to go.
How To Apply Ear Drops For Dogs
Applying ear drops for dogs isn’t difficult at all if you know what you’re doing. You can purchase ear drops from your local pet store or online. The ear drops should include hydrocortisone (anti-inflammatory) and antibiotics. Putting ear drops into a dog’s ear is not the same as putting them in a human’s ear, so make sure you do it right!
Here are some tips:
Make sure the ear canal is clean before applying any ear drop solution for dogs.
Turn your dog on its side with the affected ear facing up – this will give you easier access to his ear canal.
Place the ear drops at a certain angle against the ear opening before applying them.
Make sure not to put any ear drops for dogs near your dog’s eyes or nose!
Use your other hand to support your dog’s head while applying the ear drops – this will prevent him from moving around too much and getting an ear drop solution in his eyes.
Gently massage the base of your dog’s ear after putting ear drops into it. This will help spread the ear drop solution throughout his eardrum area, which is where most ear problems are found in dogs (just like humans).
Most ear infection solutions for dogs should only be used once per day, but feel free to use more if your dog’s ear infection is severe.
Repeat the ear drop-ear mites treatment for two to three weeks or until there are no ear problems left.
After applying ear drops for dogs, you should notice a change in your dog’s ear within seven to ten days. If not, then consult your local veterinarian immediately. If you have ear drops for dogs and ear mites, then you should notice a change in ear health within three to five days (ear mites can take two to three weeks depending on the severity of your dog’s ear).
Ear drops for dogs aren’t complicated at all. They’re simply ear infections treatment for your dog that will eliminate ear problems. If ear drop-ear infections treatment doesn’t work, then you should contact your local veterinarian.
