Dog Ear Infections - What Are Some of the Signs You Should Watch out for?
Dog Ear Infections - What Are Some of the Signs You Should Watch out for
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It is up to us as responsible dog owners to make sure our pets remain in good health. Regular trips to the veterinarian are a good idea but we must also learn to recognize signs and symptoms of any possible problems that might arise between veterinary visits.
There are 3 types of ear infections that dogs can suffer from. Otitis externa (outer ear infection), Otitis media (an infection in the middle ear region) and internal otitis (inner ear infection). Dog ear infections generally originate in the outer ear and if left untreated can progress to the inner ear. Infections may be caused by yeast or bacteria and when they occur there are some common symptoms that would give you a hint that there might be a problem.
Sometimes your dog's ear may be a bit dirty from some type of discharge. The discharge may look like a bit of dirt or possibly even a wet looking slime. You may also notice some redness in the ear and the skin inside the ear may look a bit leathery. Sometimes there is even a noticeable odor. If you don't see any of these symptoms you may observe your dog exhibiting a number of different behaviors that are out of the ordinary. If your dog is scratching at his or her ear, holding his head down or to one side, or shaking his head it may be a sign that they are experiencing some discomfort and you should examine their ears a little more closely or take them to a vet.
To help protect your dog, ear infections may be prevented by drying your dog's ears thoroughly after swimming or bathing, cleaning their ears after being outdoors, and being careful when using cotton swabs to clean their ears, be careful to avoid pushing earwax or other debris deeper into the ear canal.
Most dog ear infections start in the outer ear but if left untreated can progress deeper into the ear. If this happens your dog may become dizzy and have poor balance and coordination. Your dog may even walk in circles and begin to vomit. Inner ear infections are much more serious and if you suspect that your dog may be experiencing an inner ear infection you should take them to your veterinarian immediately.