Caring for your Dog's Ears and Preventing Infection

If you've ever had a dog that suffered from chronic ear infections, you know how much of a pain it can be for both you and your loved one. If your dog continues to get ear infections, there are some practical ways that may help you reduce their frequency.

Typically dog ear infections are an infection of the outer ear, just like people. They account for about 90% of all infections that a dog will ever get and, consequently, are the most common infection that dogs are treater for. In addition to the infection itself, dog ear infections can be accompanied by ear mites.

You can usually spot an ear infection if you notice the following:

1. Ears that appear swelled

2. Redness around or inside the ears

3. Discharge from the ears

4. Ears that smell or have a faint odor

5. Excessive scratching

One of the things that may increase the frequency of ear infections is if your dog has allergies, especially if they are severe. Excessive ear wax and long hair can exasterbate any allergic reaction or increase the likelihood of infection. Long hair can actually prevent air from getting into the dog's ears and allow wax to buildup as well as dirt. If your pet swims a lot, this can increase the possibility of infection as well. Weekly or monthy cleaning of your dog's ears will allow it to become used to regular cleaning and make it easier to treat infections when it really matters.

Cleaning your pet's ears is an essential way to reduce the risk of an ear infection. It's a simple process and only requires some soft cloth and ear cleanser which is available at pet store. To perform the cleaning, just lift your dog's ears up and massage the cleaner in a circular motion to loosen up any residue inside the ear.

If you notice your pet scratching its ear infection a lot, this can cause an additional complication. Frequent scratching of an infection can cause blood vessels in the ears to break and result in bleeding or swelling.

As a preventative measure, you could try using white vinegar to remove dirt from the dog's ears and simultaneously promote the growth of helpful healthy bacteria that can actually prevent infection. It's best to apply the white vinegar with a soft cloth or cotton. If you notice that an infection might be coming, try this to clear it up before the infection gets worse. If it does persist, antibiotics may be the only solution.

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