Ear Infection in Dogs: Causes, Symptoms and Treatment
Ear infections are extremely unpleasant and painful yet a common problem. An ear infection can have various causes. Certain breeds are particularly susceptible to such complaints.
Typical symptoms of a dog's ear infection
As a rule, you can assume that your dog will also notice you in the event of an ear infection. Because this is connected with very unpleasant pain for your quadruped.
Dogs with an ear infection usually hold their head crooked or shake it back and forth remarkably often. In addition, you will most likely notice that your four-legged friend scratches his ears very often or even scratches them on the ground.
Due to the pain caused by the ear infection, your dog will also react very sensitively to touching the head, appear restless, have trouble sleeping and occasionally may even react aggressively.
If the dog ignores the initial symptoms of an ear infection and does not receive treatment, loss of appetite, fever and fatigue may also be added to the symptoms.
Inflammatory symptoms in the dog's ear
In addition to the symptoms mentioned above, an ear infection in dogs usually leads to swelling and redness of the ears. Apart from this, in many cases secretion also escapes from them. This can be liquid or even purulent.
Possible causes of ear infections in dogs
There are numerous causes that can lead to an ear infection in dogs. In many cases, it is not a single trigger, but a combination of several factors.
In addition to a certain genetic predisposition, ear care mistakes, parasites such as ear mites, foreign bodies, kidney problems and allergies are among the common causes of ear infections in dogs.
Dogs with a genetic predisposition for ear infections
In some dog breeds there is an increased tendency for ear infections due to a genetic predisposition. These include, for example, the Shar-Pei, which has very narrow ear canals, and the Cocker Spaniel, in whose ears above-average amounts of sebum are produced.
Inflammations due to mistakes in ear care
In addition to breed-specific susceptibility, mistakes in ear care can also lead to irritation and inflammation of the auditory canals. In this context, it is important to make sure, among other things, that only ear cleaners suitable for dogs are used. In addition, the use of cotton swabs and the plucking of hair from the ears should be avoided.
Ear infections in dogs due to parasites
Parasites are another possible cause of ear infections in dogs. In addition to an infestation with ear mites, a tick may choose the ear as the place for its meal, causing skin irritation and even inflammation.
Foreign bodies in the ear promote inflammation
Similar to parasites, foreign bodies can also get stuck in the dog's ear. This can be dirt or sand, for example, which has gotten into the ear while romping around. If foreign bodies are not removed promptly, they can at least increase the likelihood of an ear infection in the dog.
Kidney diseased dogs often suffer from ear infections
The task of the kidneys is to filter harmful substances and metabolic waste products from the blood so that they can be removed from the body with the urine. If their functionality is restricted, this is known as renal insufficiency. Due to the increasing accumulation of harmful substances in the body, dogs with renal insufficiency very often also suffer from ear infections.
Our tip for dogs with kidney problems
In order to support the functionality of the kidneys, a dietary supplement with Bellfor Kidney Power can be useful. The natural powder contains selected herbs that stimulate the natural detoxification processes in your dog's kidneys and can also help to counteract ear infections caused by kidney problems.
Ear infections in dogs with allergies
Allergies have long been widespread in dogs. In addition to so-called atopic dermatitis, which can be caused by pollen and house dust mites, for example, more and more dogs also suffer from food allergies. Among the possible symptoms of an allergy in dogs are ear infections.
Our food for allergic dogs
If your dog suffers from a food allergy, we recommend that you switch to our hypoallergenic insect-based dog food. The insect protein it contains is easily digestible and has a high biological value. By a consequent change of food, the symptoms of the dog's food allergy, such as inflamed ears, can be reliably controlled.
Bellfor saver sets for allergic dogs with inflamed ears
If your dog's inflamed ears are due to a food allergy, we highly recommend one of our special saver sets for nutrition-sensitive animals. Thanks to the products they contain, you can reliably get your dog's allergy symptoms such as inflamed ears under control.
- Allergy saver set for the ear care of small dogs
- Allergy saver set for the ear care of medium-sized dogs
- Allergy saver set for the ear care of large dogs
Other triggers for ear infections in dogs
In addition to the causes mentioned above, there are a number of other possible triggers for ear infections in dogs. These include bacterial and viral infections, autoimmune diseases, injuries such as bite wounds, drug intolerance, fungal infections and damage to the eardrum.
Diagnosis of ear infections in dogs
Most likely you will notice all by yourself that your dog is suffering from an ear infection. Nevertheless, you should have your quadruped examined by a vet.
The vet has the right instruments to examine your dog's ears and to detect problems that are not immediately obvious, such as a ruptured eardrum. In addition, it is important to determine the cause of the complaints and to treat them specifically, which is practically impossible for a layman.
Treatment of an ear infection in dogs
The treatment of an ear infection in dogs can sometimes take quite a while. The measures to be taken depend primarily on the exact trigger. Because only if the actual cause of the complaints is eliminated, the inflammation will also disappear permanently.
In many cases, the veterinarian uses special medical rinsing solutions for treatment, with which the ears can be cleaned. In addition, if necessary, the administration of tablets to treat the dog's ear infection may be necessary.
On the other hand, cleaning with cotton swabs should not be used to treat ear infections. This can cause additional damage to the inflamed ears and can also prove to be extremely painful for your dog.
Bellfor ear care drops for dogs
Regular ear care is especially important for dogs with particularly sensitive ears. For this purpose we recommend that you put drops on Bellfor ear care. Thanks to selected ingredients, these are ideally suited for gentle ear cleaning, which can both prevent problems and support the treatment of an existing ear infection in the dog.
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