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Ear Infections: Know the signs

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A few days ago, I looked down at my long-haired dachshund, Chloe, who was snuggled by my side on the couch and proclaimed, “You stink.” Not the kind of stink that means it’s time for a bath, but the kind that most owners of floppy eared dogs are familiar with – Chloe had an ear infection. While some pet owners may go a lifetime without their dogs experiencing an ear infection, there are a lot of us fighting a constant battle against chronic ear infections in our dogs.

As a lifelong owner of dogs that had never had ear problems, I was surprised and very confused the first time Chloe showed symptoms of an infection. Her ear smelled funny, there was a nasty discharge, and she scratched at it so fiercely she made herself bleed. No matter what type of dog you have, an ear infection could happen at any time, so it’s important to know the symptoms and how to prevent them from happening in the first place.

Prevention

Don’t make your pet’s annual exam the one and only time anyone looks in his or her ears. Make it a habit to check your pet’s ears once a week. Even if your dog’s ears are spotless every time you look in them, checking them regularly for increased build up and keeping them clean and dry are the key ways to prevent ear infections from happening. Remember whenever you bathe your dog or take them swimming to dry their ears out, as well. Water trapped in their ears is a common cause of infections.

While regular ear cleanings are a must, make sure you don’t overdo it. Once a week is ample to keep your dog’s ears clean; anything more frequent can cause even more irritation to their inner ears. For an added measure of prevention, have your groomer trim the hair that sprouts from their ear canal.

Know the Signs

One of the first signs you’ll likely see that your dog is suffering from an ear infection is repeated ear scratching. In addition to digging at their ears with their paws, dogs may also rub their heads on the floor or furniture or shake them repeatedly. Along with the scratching will be a very strong odor as well as a lot of brown or even bloody discharge in the ear. Your dog’s ears will also be red and irritated and possibly even scabby.

If your dog begins to display any of the symptoms associated with ear infections, take them to the vet as soon as possible. Do not try to self-diagnose an ear infection and treat it on your own with over-the-counter products. If left untreated, severe ear infections are not only very painful, but can lead to deafness, as well.

Treatment

Your veterinarian will confirm your pet’s ear infection, clean out their ear, and likely prescribe a topical medication. In addition to washing your pet’s ear thoroughly every day during their infection, you will need to administer medication directly into their ear canal.

Depending on the severity of your pet’s ear infection and the frequency which they get them, your vet may even recommend putting your dog under anesthesia for a thorough ear flushing. In extreme cases, surgery may even be necessary to help your pet.

As the weather begins to warm up, your dog will be more susceptible to ear infections after days spent playing in the water or more frequent baths. Keep those ears dry and, if it’s not already, make sure ear cleanings are part of your regular care routine for your pet!

Alaina Goodnough is the Promotions Coordinator at Cocheco Valley Humane Society in Dover, NH. She lives in Sanford, ME with three parrots, two cats, and two dachshunds. She can be reached at CVHS at devassist@cvhsonline.org

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