What Causes Ear Infections?
Bacterial infections are the most common though, with the most common ones affecting dogs being Pseudomonas Aeruginosa, Proteus Mirabilis, and Escherichia Coli. Based on feedback from dog owners, our top pick dog ear cleaner is effective against all of them and many more.
Then comes the fungi, which are primarily the culprit as far as the yeast and other similar infections are concerned.
One of the most troubling fungi is Malassezia Pachydermatis, which can multiply to worrying levels if not dealt with in time. Infections caused by Malassezia Pachydermatis are usually marked by serious irritation and inflammation of the ears.
Ear mites, on the other hand, are basically eight-legged tiny insects that are notorious for entering dogs' ears and causing great discomfort to them. When infected with ear mites, a dog would usually be found pawning at ears every now and then, and in many cases, end up pawning it to the extent of bleeding.
Ear mites are much more common in puppies than large dogs due to the former's immune system not being as strong as the latter. However, large dogs, too, can fall prey to ear mites, especially if they tend to roam around outside.
It's important to note that these infections, if not taken care of in time, can lead to a bruised or broken skin, or even ruptured ear canals. This would not only make it more painful for the dog but also harder to treat the infections.
Many dog ear cleaners cannot be applied directly on bruised or broken skin (or when treating ruptured ear canals for that matter), so you may have to follow a more complicated treatment option.
Finally, it's also not uncommon for dogs to end up catching a dog infection due to a foreign element making its way to your dog's ear. In such cases, it would be even more important to make sure that the cleaning solution reaches the ear canal of your dogs for fast treatment.
Related: Best Dog Grooming Tables
Common Symptoms Of Ear Infections
Here's a quick list of symptoms that may mean that your dog is dealing with some kind of ear infection.
- Shaking head much more often than they usually do
- Constant pawning at the ears, sometimes to the extent that it makes their ear red and swollen, or makes them bleed
- Flapping of ears
- A bad odor coming off from their ears
- A discharge from the dog's ears
- Whining when pawning the ears, or doing it with frustration
- Irritated or inflamed ears
- Unusual itchiness at the ear area, making them do things like scratching their ears or rubbing them against the ground
- In many cases of ear mite infection, the mites are clearly visible
- Others that may suggest something is wrong with their ears
Should You See a Vet?
When doing research for the canine ear cleaners which we reviewed in this post, we found many dog owners saying that they first went to their vet before buying a particular dog ear cleaner. Some of them mentioned that they used to always visit a vet before until it got too expensive for them to do so and they decided to try out a dog ear cleaner instead.
Furthermore, some even said that their vet's treatment didn't turn out to be effective enough for them, but using one of the dog ear cleaners above did.
So, to answer your question, no, it's usually not necessary to visit a vet for treating an ear infection. In fact, our best dog cleaner reviewed at the top is effective enough for treating most types of ear infections.
That said, if you find that your dog is showing no signs of improvement even after 5 to 7 days of using one or two of the dog ear cleaners above (not all products work for all dogs or all cases), then you must visit a vet immediately.
In very rare cases, an ear infection may not just be an ear infection, but also something much more serious such as a tumor.
Similarly, if your dog also has a bruised skin with an ear infection, then you may want to seek the help of a vet instead of trying to treat it yourself. It's not easy to treat ear infections with bruised skin due to the reasons discussed above.
Finally, if your dog has never had an ear infection before, then it makes sense to visit your vet just to confirm that it's actually an ear infection that your dog is suffering from. For recurring infections or routine ear cleaning, however, treating it using one of the ear cleaners reviewed above may very well turn out to be both effective and much more economical.
Related: Emergency Vets Near You
Things to Keep in Mind When Using a Dog Ear Cleaner
Apart from the fact that most dog cleaners shouldn't be used for dogs with bruised skin, there are other things to keep in mind as well. Let's take a quick look at them.
- Many dog ear cleaners like the ZYMOX ear cleaner require that you do not clean your dog's ears before applying the ear cleaner for best results
- Similarly, some of them require you to flush your dog's ears after use or letting your dog shake their head
- You also need to remove the excess, especially what doesn't manage to get to your dog's ear canal
- The frequency of use must be higher than when only using the ear cleaner for routine ear cleaning
- Almost all ear cleaners require to be used in generous quantities
- You need to shake them well before applying them to your dog's ears
- Never let the cleaning solution go into your dog's eyes; if it does, you may have to visit your vet immediately
- If the irritation increases after using the ear cleaner, you need to stop using it and visit your vet
- The ear cleaners containing alcohol are typically not recommended for dogs with a sensitive skin
Black Earwax In Dogs: Should You Be Worried?
It’s quite common for dogs to suffer from different ear problems, most especially dog breeds that have droopy and long ears. Although a small amount of discharge and earwax is normal, if it comes in a large amount, then it can be a problem. Also, some dogs might end up having black wax in their ears, which can be alarming to pet parents.
Here’s everything you need to know about black earwax on dogs.
What Is The Cause Of Black Earwax In Dogs?
There are many reasons why your dog ends up with black earwax on its ears. This condition might be due to the accumulation of dirt in your dog’s ears. Other causes could be ear mite infestation and ear infection.
In some instances, excessive earwax in your dog’s ears could result in an ear infection. On the other hand, an ear infection may also cause excessive buildup of earwax in your dog’s ears.
Basically, earwax produced in a huge amount, and the accumulation of such wax in your dog’s ears could cause ear infection, which will eventually turn black. There are also instances when black earwax and ear infections on dogs can be due to some other factors, such as an infestation of ear mites.
What Are The Symptoms?
If you see black earwax in your dog’s ears, consider this as a sign of ear infection. Your canine companion might also show other symptoms, such as constant shaking of the head and scratching of the ear area. In some instances, you’ll notice swelling, redness, and pus inside your dog’s ears. The ears of your pet might also produce a bad odor. If it’s accompanied by other symptoms, then you better call a vet immediately.
Steps To Treat Black Earwax
Treating the back earwax in dogs will mainly depend upon the underlying causes. Therefore, the first step is to take your pooch to a vet. The vet will diagnose your pooch and find out the reason behind the buildup of black earwax and determine the proper treatment.
Pet owners should also consider getting a dog ear cleaner to help clean their dog’s ears. That way, the accumulation of black earwax will be substantially minimized, and ear infection will be avoided as well. Using a dog ear cleaner is very easy and straightforward.
In fact, it’s a convenient way to clean your pet’s ears. Simply soak a cotton ball with the ear cleaner and apply it to your dog’s ears. Gently massage the ears afterward and wipe gently to remove any remaining wax.
Dog Ear Wax: Does Your Dog Have Excessive Ear Discharge?
Similar to humans, dog ears tend to produce ear wax, and this is perfectly natural. But, if you notice that the amount of wax in your dog's ears is a bit too much, there might be a problem there. It could be a sign of an ear infection or a parasite. In scientific circles, ear wax is referred to as cerumen, and it typically emanates from the ear canal for protection purposes.
However, if there's too much wax coming out of your dog's ears, then this could attract all kinds of severe health issues, including painful ears, ear mite infestations, fungal infections, and bacterial infections. The pain can be unbearable when the wax is buried deep in the ear canal.
That's why it's essential to make sure your dog's ears don't accumulate too much wax as it could lead to some of the health issues mentioned above.
What Causes Excess Earwax in Dogs?
Excess ear wax in dogs can be caused by several different factors. However, allergies are the most common reason, which is probably why allergy-prone dogs tend to scratch their ears a lot.
If left untreated, excess earwax can cause your dog to develop inflammation.
Ear Infections
Ear infections are typically the main cause of ear discharge and excess wax in dogs. That's because your dog's system produces the earwax to protect the affected area from further inflammation. A dog that has a habit of constantly scratching its ears will be more susceptible to inflammation and ear discharge as well.
However, you can train your dog to stop scratching its ears excessively by rewarding it with treats whenever your pooch sits still or using the “cone of shame” method.
It may take a long while to wean your dog away from scratching its ears using these methods, but they do offer a permanent solution.
Ear Mites
It's not uncommon for dogs to get ear mites, and this is a highly contagious condition that easily spreads between animals when they're in close proximity. This means that if one of your pets gets ear mites, the rest will probably follow.
Ear mites can cause excessive ear wax that has a reddish-brown appearance as well as inflammation. A great way of keeping ear mites at bay is to have regular cleaning of your dog's ears or flush them out at least once a month.
Speak with your local veterinarian to ask for a recommendation on the best dog ear cleaner to use to get rid of debris, wax, and ear mites.
Allergies
If you suspect your dog has allergies, always consult with your vet first. That way, you can figure out what type of allergen he has so you can reduce or eliminate exposure to the aggravating material or substance.
Your vet will be able to prescribe suitable medication for the specific allergy that your dog suffers from. Allergy treatment is usually the only available treatment for excessive ear discharge in some dogs.
But, you need to be disciplined as a pet owner so you can make sure that you administer the medicine in the right doses and at the right time.
Why Use A Dog Ear Cleaner?
As a pet owner, you don't want to see your dog go through any type of pain or discomfort. Unfortunately, that's what happens when pets develop excessive ear discharge and infections. The best way to keep this from happening to flush or clean your dog's ears regularly using a vet-approved ear cleaner.
This is a great way to prevent the build-up of wax and inflammation while keeping ear mites at bay.
How To Clean Your Dog’s Ears: A Complete Guide
One of the grooming skills that pet owners should learn is how to clean their dog’s ears. This can be somewhat tricky, especially for new pet owners who may not even know how often they should clean their dog’s ears.
So to help you with this, here’s everything you need to know on how to clean your pet’s ears and how often you should be doing it.
How Often Do You Have To Clean Your Dog’s Ears?
For dogs that are prone to ear infections, regular cleaning of your pet’s ears is crucial. But how often you should consider cleaning your dog’s ears? The answer will mainly depend on your pooch. Nevertheless, you should clean your pet’s ears often enough to prevent infections.
For some dogs, cleaning their ears once a month should be enough. But for other dogs that are prone to ear infections, cleaning their ears should be done every other week. Or if possible, it must be done once a week.
If your dog has already suffered from an ear infection in the past, the vet will most likely recommend that you clean its ears every day or every other day. Of course, the infection must also be treated with medications aside from cleaning the ears. But even if your dog has not suffered from an ear infection, cleaning their ears should be necessary, especially if they smell bad or look dirty.
Remember that your dog’s ears shouldn’t smell bad. If they produce a foul odor or yeasty smell, then consider that as a sign that your dog’s ears might be infected, and it’s about time that you take it to the vet. Other signs of ear infection are red and inflamed ears, ear discharge, and constant scratching and shaking of the ears.
Also, if your pet shrieks or cries whenever you touch its ears, then that means there’s a problem. When your dog’s ears are infected, this can be extremely painful for your pooch, so make sure to seek immediate medical treatment from your local veterinarian.
Step By Step Guide For Cleaning Your Dog’s Ears At Home
Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to properly clean your dog’s ears.
- First, prepare some cotton balls. You can also use gauze or any vet-approved dog ear cleaner. Make sure you seek approval from your vet before using any product on your pet’s ears to ensure that it’s safe and gentle for your pooch.
- It can be quite messy to clean your dog’s ears, so you need to prepare yourself for this. This is especially the case if the ears of your pet are extremely dirty. Consider cleaning during your dog’s bath so you can easily wash and clean up the mess afterward.
- To clean, squeeze a small amount of ear cleaner into your pet’s ears and leave it to drip towards the ear canal. Gently massage around your pooch’s ear to spread the cleaning solution. This helps to break down the debris and wax. Let your pooch shake its head to remove the gunk.
- Make sure you wipe your dog’s outer ear flap after cleaning. Include the inside ear as well. You can use gauze square or cotton ball for this. Wipe the ears as far down as you possibly can with the use of the gauze or cotton ball. Ear cleaners for dogs have a drying agent so anything that gets stuck on your dog’s ears will eventually dry up on its own.
- You can use either a solution or a dog ear cleaning wipe
For An Existing Ear Infection, Here’s A Few Additional Steps
- If your dog has an ongoing ear infection and requires medication for treatment, apply the medication only after the ears have been cleaned and wiped. If you’re going to apply medication and the ears are dirty, it will defeat the purpose. Your dog will not be cured of the infection, and the treatment will be a waste.
- When applying an ointment for treatment, try to position the tip of the dog cleaner just well above the ears, so you will see how many drops are getting into the ears of your pooch. Then gently massage the ear below.
Why Use A Dog Ear Cleaner?
You should definitely buy a dog ear cleaner for your pooch if your dog suffers from an ear infection. This way you will prevent wax buildup and dirt which are usually the main causes of ear infections.
By using a dog ear cleaner, you will also be able to kill any bacteria that could be present and your dog won’t suffer from an ear infection anymore.
Inner Ear Infection (Otitis Interna) In Dogs: Everything You Need To Know
There are certain dog breeds that are more prone to getting ear infections (Otitis Interna) than others. For instance, dogs with floppy ears, such as the Cocker Spaniels and Basset Hounds, are at high risk of getting ear infections compared to dogs that have upright ears. Also, if your dog spends a lot of time in the water or swims a lot, then it’s at high risk of getting an ear infection.
Usually, when too much moisture is trapped in the ears, bacteria will eventually develop, leading to infection. This condition is very painful for dogs and requires immediate treatment.
What Is Inner Ear Infection In Dogs?
Ear infection, or medically known as Otitis Interna, refers to the inflammation of the inner ear. Also known as otitis interna, this condition is usually due to the bacteria that eventually infect the animal's ears. The presence of yeast or fungus can also trigger an infection in your dog's ears.
If there are ear mites in your dog's external ear canal, this could eventually cause a problem in your dog's inner ear and poses a great risk for bacterial growth that could trigger infection. An inner ear infection may also develop if there's a disease on the ear canal of your pup or if a benign polyp is starting to develop in the middle ear.
Furthermore, an ear infection may also be due to some external irritants getting stuck in your dog's ears, such as grasses, tiny rocks, dirt, etc.
Dog Inner Ear Infection Symptoms
The signs and symptoms of ear infection will greatly vary, depending on the severity of the infection. There are some dogs that don't show any signs or symptoms at all. But if you notice that your dog is somewhat hesitant to chew or is feeling pain in the ear area, then consider this as a sign of ear infection.
Also, if your canine companion is constantly shaking and tilting its head while scratching its ears, then that might be due to an infection.
Dogs with an ear infection may develop a head tilt, which means that they will usually lean on one side most of the time. This could make your pet lose its balance completely and will find it difficult to walk. Some dogs will also walk in circles, often heading in the direction of the ear that was infected.
Furthermore, dogs suffering from otitis interna might not be able to hear anything with the affected ear.
How To Treat Otitis Interna In Dogs?
Dog owners should understand that otitis interna is a serious condition. If your canine buddy can't eat or drink as a result of this condition, hospitalization may be required for your pet to be administered with intravenous fluid therapy.
Dehydration must be avoided and nausea should be controlled. Sometimes, the vet recommends sedating the dog. If your pooch is suffering from extreme pain, anesthesia might be injected. For proper diagnosis, the vet would take samples of bacteria culture from your pooch's ears.
Are There Any Potential Long-Term Effects?
Remember that severe ear infection has the potential to spread in some other parts of your dog's body, most especially the brain. This may also affect your dog's heart rate and breathing. Also, long-term complications could lead to an altered sense of balance and could be a sign of Horner's syndrome.
In the worst cases, your dog could become permanently deaf.
Therefore, it's very important to provide proper medical treatment to dogs suffering from Otitis Interna. Depending on the severity of the condition, you can expect a 2-4 month period of oral antibiotic treatment.
How Does A Dog Ear Cleaner Help?
Whether your dog is prone to an ear infection or not, you should consider getting a dog ear cleaner for your pooch. This product is easy to administer. Simply soak a cotton ball on the cleaner and massage it gently on your pet's ear canal.
A dog ear cleaner is very useful in preventing the buildup of wax and dirt, which is often the reason behind ear infections in dogs. Furthermore, the ear cleaner can also help to kill the bacteria that may have already accumulated in your dog's ears.
By killing the bacteria, the infection will be treated, and your beloved pooch will be free from pain brought about by the otitis interna.
