Ask the owners of floppy-eared dogs; they can tell you the signs of an ear infection too well. A foul odor emanating from the ears, constant head shaking, and ear scratching are tell-tale signs of an ear infection.
An infection can happen when the ear flaps obstruct air circulation and trap moisture inside the ear canal. This often leads to smelly yeast build-up, which can be painful and uncomfortable for canine fur babies.
Should your doggo exhibit any of the above signs, meet your vet immediately. Early intervention can help save your pet pooch from serious infection and spending a lot on vet bills. Still, consider being prepared with dog insurance so unplanned vet costs need not be financially burdening.
Cheap pet insurance can cover your little pupper for basic health benefits at affordable costs. Contemplate purchasing a policy so getting medical help during distressing health situations can be economical. Meanwhile, read this article to learn the top reasons for chronic ear infections in dogs.
Dog ear infections
It is worth noting that ear infections don’t cure by themselves. Also, expect many more troubles apart from those smelly ears should you neglect them in the initial stage. When left untreated, your pet pooch can end up with a chronic condition that requires expensive treatments.
The infection starts at the outer ear as inflammation and quickly proceeds to the middle and inner ear. When this happens, a puppy can lose its hearing ability permanently or suffer from facial paralysis.
Causes
Although floppy-eared puppies are vulnerable to ear infections, others are no exceptions to contracting them. A dog’s ear canal is “L” shaped, making it highly prone to fluid accumulation. Regular ear cleaning is essential to avoid infections; not treating them right at the onset can spread the disease to both ears.
Here are some potential causes:
- Any pup can pick up infections given the right conditions, including exposure to ear mites. Ear mites are teeny weeny parasites that thrive on waxy oils produced in a puppy’s ears.
Ear mites can be picked up by your puppy from other infected animals while roaming outside. When ear mites attack, you will notice a dark and viscous residue in your furry baby’s ear canal.
Know that ear mites may not go deep into the ear canal and can be quickly treated with over-the-counter medications. Yet, their excreta can be an ideal breeding ground for pathogens causing ear infections. So, timely medical intervention is necessary.
- Skin sensitivity and allergy are other reasons for ear infections. Sometimes, a puppy’s skin breaks down, leading to the overproduction of wax in the ear canal and, consequently, the growth of bacteria and yeast causing infections.
- Food allergies trigger gastrointestinal inflammation and the growth of pathogens in the GI tract that can then spread to other body parts.
- Endocrine disorders, cuts, wounds, and damp and wet ears are other causes of ear issues. Be on top of the grooming routine and keep your pup’s ears dried in and out post bath or swim.
Meet your vet for testing and treatments should you suspect an ear infection.Take preventive care but consider being prepared with dog insurance so that dealing with unanticipated vet costs is much easier.
Contemplate purchasing cheap pet insurance, at least, so you don’t have to compromise health care quality due to the finances involved in getting your furry best friend treated during non-routine vet visits and medical emergencies.
