Is there an ear infection home remedy for dogs?

Canine ear infections are potentially serious medical conditions that should not be taken lightly. Veterinary consensus is that an adequate ear infection home remedy does not exist. As such, it is necessary to have your pet examined by a veterinarian in order to ensure that an ear condition caused by bacterial infection or yeast infection does not harm his ear drum or other vital parts. Your dog relies on his hearing in many ways, and an ear infection that is left untreated, or one that is treated improperly, can damage his hearing or spread to other parts of his body.

Causes and Symptoms of Canine Ear Infections

Dogs with ear infections experience significant discomfort in and around their ears. He may scratch at his head, rub his ears against furniture or the ground or even shake his head. In addition, he may experience some of the following symptoms:

• Discharge from the ears
• Foul smell from the ears
• Redness or inflammation in and around the ears

If you suspect that your pet has an ear infection, take him to the vet for an immediate inspection. If you fail to act promptly, not only will your pet continue to experience pain and discomfort, but the ear infection could also spread to other parts of the body or become worse.

Diagnosing Ear Infections

In order to diagnose your pet’s ear infection, your vet will administer a physical exam with particular attention to the ear canals. A tissue sample is often necessary in order to determine the bacterial cause of the infection.

Treating Ear Infections

Home remedies for canine ear infections typically involve addressing the symptoms of the infection. While these procedures may be helpful in alleviating your dog’s discomfort, they do not address the underlying cause of the symptoms themselves. To adequately treat your dog’s ear infection, consult with a veterinarian for further advice.

The most common veterinary treatment for a bacterial or yeast-related infection is an anti-bacterial drug treatment. Antibiotics, anti-inflammatory drugs and other anti-microbials are often used to counteract the spreading of the bacteria, effectively reducing and, eventually, eliminating the infection at its source. These drugs are typically available orally and in the form of ear drops.

In some cases, the ear infection is caused by a foreign body having been lodged in the ear canal. In these cases, surgery or another similar procedure may be necessary. Your vet can determine whether this is the cause of your pet’s infection by thoroughly examining his ear canal.

Finally, ear infections can be caused by other diseases that are unrelated. In these cases, it is necessary to address the underlying cause of the infection in order to treat the symptoms. Hypothyroidism is a condition that commonly results in canine ear infections. If your dog experiences frequent or recurring infections, make sure that you are following all prescription drug treatment instructions. If you are, consider the possibility that the infections are caused by an underlying condition.

While it may be possible to partially alleviate your pet’s symptoms at home, there is no reliable home treatment method to fully cure your dog’s ear infection. It`s always best in the long term to have your pet examined by a veterinarian when he is experiencing any sort of sickness or other condition.

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