What can I do to help my dog with his ears?

To help your dog with their ears, wait until your dog is calm and relaxed before attempting to clean their ears. Then, turn them on their side and hold their ear open. Fill their ear with the gentle cleansing liquid until you can see the fluid, then pinch the ear shut to keep the cleansing liquid in. Massage the base of the ear gently for about 30 seconds, listening for the sound of the fluid swishing around. Thereafter, allow your dog to shake their head to loosen the debris. Use a cotton ball or gauze to remove the debris from their ear, not going deeper into the canal than one knuckle. Be sure to wipe all the liquid from your dogs face if any fluid ended up there after your dog's shake. You should also check the ears at the time of a regular bath and remove any visible wax with a dry tissue or gauze. For dogs who swim regularly, more frequent cleanings will help prevent ear infections from forming. If you notice any blood, excessive amounts of wax, or a foul odor, schedule an appointment with your veterinarian as soon as possible, as this might be a sign of a dog ear infection.

To successfully diagnose and treat problems with the ear it is always recommended to bring your dog to see us. If your dog is found to be suffering from an ear problem, the best course of treatment for the individual case will be prescribed, which may often be a course of antibiotics. Because there are so many different types of ear problems dogs can get the treatment varies from topical solutions and wipes to antibiotics and surgery. Vets can conduct simple tests to diagnose a bacterial ear infection and prescribe topical solutions and or antibiotics. Getting rid of foreign bodies in your dog’s ear, such as grass seed, can include your vet attempting to flush the ears or removing the items surgically while the dog is either under general anaesthetic or sedated. If your dog is the kind of breed that is susceptible to ear problems or has long ears make it a part of your grooming routine to check their the ears regularly. Keep the ears clean and if you spot a problem contact your vet to see if they think you further investigation is needed. Once an ear infection has been diagnosed it can be treated by cleaning the ears and supplying a prescription medication, often antibiotic ear drops of tablets. This condition can easily be treated with ear drops which are used with an ear cleaner but it’s important that the problem is professionally diagnosed by a vet before the relevant course of treatment can be decided.

Important Always take your dog to the vet if think they may have ear mites. Misdiagnosing ear mites at home can lead to inappropriate treatment and can cause your dog's ear irritation to get worse, which can be very painful for your dog. Depending on which is most suitable for your dog's condition, there are a few treatment options that your vet may recommend. Spot on flea treatments Many spot on flea treatments prevent and treat ear mites. If recommended by your vet, this is the easiest way to protect your dog from the parasites. Ear drops are also available. It's really important to use ear drops as prescribed and for the recommended time period. Always consult your vet on the best and most suitable treatment to use.

No matter what breed your dog is, it’s a good idea to regularly check and clean their ears to prevent dirt from building up, which can lead to bacteria and infections. But sometimes treating a dog ear infection naturally at home can be just as effective, and it might even be quicker and easier depending on your dog’s symptoms. Of course, whether you go the natural route or not, keep in mind that it varies just how well home remedies work. Things like the type and severity of the infection, and your dog’s breed, can make a big difference in how effective your treatment is. Ear infections can be super painful for your pup, so it’s a good idea to reach out to the vet. It’s always best to catch these things early, so don’t hesitate to reach out to the vet if you suspect something’s up!

To help your dog with his ears, cleaning is an important part of your dog’s hygiene. Cleaning your dog’s ears can make it easier for you to examine your dog’s ear canal, remove microbes and other small foreign objects that may cause dog ear infections, and clean and expose the ear canal for possible topical medication applications. You can clean your dog’s ears by gently wiping the ear with an absorbent gauze, avoiding cotton swabs, which can push debris deeper into your dog’s ear, and cleaning the external portions of your dog’s ears. Ear infections are often caused by excess moisture, so take care to thoroughly dry your dog’s ears after a swim or a bath. Managing your dog’s hygiene is an effective way to prevent future ear infections. For many dogs, ear infections are a recurring problem, so be proactive about keeping your dog’s ears clean and dry to prevent future ear-related health issues. Once your vet has determined the severity and type of ear infection your dog is experiencing, they will clean your dog’s ear thoroughly to remove debris, discharge, and ear wax, and may prescribe a topical medication, which you should apply according to your veterinarian’s exact directives and instructions. Always finish the full course of the medication, even if your pet seems to be feeling better, as lapses or errors in treatment can prolong your pup’s illness.