What To Do if My Dog Has an Ear Infection? — Your Questions Answered
Wondering what to do if my dog has an ear infection?
Treatment by a vet is always the safest and most effective way to diagnose and treat a dog ear infection. However, in some circumstances, over-the-counter meds or home remedies may provide some temporary relief.
We take a look at the different options for ear infection treatment for dogs, and what you can do to reduce the likelihood of your pup contracting one.
How To Cure a Dog’s Ear Infection
In short, the most reliable way to cure your dog’s ear issues is through a proper diagnosis by your vet. They know how to tell if your dog has an ear infection and will be able to advise the most appropriate treatment, depending on the type and the cause.
Here’s the process:
How a Vet Diagnoses a Canine Ear Infection
First, your vet will ask you about your dog’s history and the symptoms they have been experiencing. A physical examination will follow. This can include:
- A visual assessment — looking for typical ear infection symptoms, such as discharge, redness, or swelling.
- Your vet will examine your dog’s ear with an otoscope. This allows them to see into the ear canal to check for any changes or signs of damage to the eardrum, or whether polyps, tumors, or foreign objects are present.
- They will check for your dog’s level of pain by gently touching the ear in different places and observing their reaction.
- Through swabbing the ears to take a sample of the discharge, your vet will analyse unknown cultures under a microscope. This can help your vet determine the best dog ear infection treatment depending on whether it’s bacterial, fungal, or parasitic.
- For severe inner ear infections, your vet will recommend neurological tests.
How To Treat a Dog Ear Infection
Once the ear infection has been diagnosed, dog ear infection treatment can include recommendation of the following:
- Antibiotic or antifungal ear drops — to treat bacterial or yeast infections.
- Ear cleaning solutions — for removal of any debris or wax build-up.
- Anti-inflammatory medication or steroids — to alleviate itching, swelling, and discomfort.
- Oral medication — for more severe inner ear infections a vet may prescribe long-term oral microbial medications. Antivertigo drugs may also be required to combat dizziness.
- Removal of polyps, tumors, or foreign objects (e.g., grass seeds) — if present.
- Assessing and identifying the root cause — if not addressed, the ear infection is likely to return. This can involve looking deeper into your dog’s medical history and blood tests to check for any potential allergies or hormonal disorders.
Canine Ear Infection Medication
For more severe infections, prescription medications may be required. Here are few vets commonly use:
Canine Ear Infection Antibiotics
- Baytril Otic (Enrofloxacin) — a strong antibiotic effective against bacterial infections.
- Mometamax — a combination medication with antibiotics, antifungals, and anti-inflammatory agents.
- Metronidazole (also known as Flagyl) — works by killing or preventing the growth of bacteria and other microorganisms in a dog’s ear that cause infection.
- Claro Otic Solution — a single-dose prescription treatment, administered by vets, for bacterial and fungal infections.
- Tresaderm — effective against yeast, bacteria, and inflammation.
- DuOtic — a combination of terbinafine and betamethasone. It’s associated with treating yeasts, such as Malassezia, a common cause of outer ear yeast infection.
- Ciprofloxacin — is often prescribed by vets to topically treat bacterial ear infections in dogs.
The best antibiotic for a dog ear infection will be dependent on your dog’s diagnosis.
OTC Ear Infection Treatment for Dogs
You should seek the advice of your vet before using dog ear infection treatment over the counter products. They may temporarily help soothe your dog’s ears, but if used for a prolonged period or as a substitute for visiting a vet, they may cause more long-term issues.
For the relief of mild ear infections, or as a temporary measure, over the counter ear infection medicines for dogs include:
- Diphenhydramine — the active ingredient in Benadryl, diphenhydramine is an antihistamine that can help reduce any inflammation and offer relief to your dog’s itchy ears.
- Hydrocortisone — known for its anti-inflammatory properties, hydrocortisone helps fight any swelling, itchiness, and redness in your dog’s ears.
- Otizyme — to help dissolve any wax build-ups and flush out debris from your pooch’s ears, otizyme is an enzyme solution.
Bear in mind, just as aspirin is meant for relief from sickness and not more serious underlying causes, OTC dog ear treatments will only ease the symptoms. In most cases the infection still needs to be addressed.
How To Treat Dog Ear Infection Without Vet — Natural Remedies
There are natural alternatives to over-the-counter treatments, which can be made using ingredients you may already have in your home.
Some of the more commonly used natural remedies to help soothe a dog’s infected ear include:
- Apple cider vinegar ear wash — ACV is known for antimicrobial and antifungal properties.
- Coconut oil — antibacterial and antifungal properties with the bonus of a pleasant smell to tackle odors.
- Aloe vera gel — soothes, with anti-inflammatory properties to help relieve your dog’s ear distress.
- Green tea — anti-inflammatory with mild antimicrobial properties to calm irritated ears.
In the short term, natural remedies may help relieve some of your dog’s distress, but should never be seen as a replacement for treatment by a vet.
What’s more, if your dog exhibits signs of bleeding in the ear, severe pain, balance problems, or worsening symptoms, never attempt at-home treatment — take your dog to a vet urgently.
Dog Ear Infection Treatment — Ongoing Care
Canine ear infections can not always be preventable, but there are steps a responsible owner can take to reduce the risk, especially if your pooch is prone to ear infections.
Regular Ear Checks and Cleaning
The best thing an owner can do is regularly check their dog’s ear for any signs of infection. Check for any redness or changes in color, the condition of their ear, temperature, and sniff for any odors.
Over-the-counter and prescription ear cleansing solutions are available and your veterinarian team will be able to advise you how to safely clean your dog’s ears. However, while clean and dry ears can help prevent future ear infections, excessive cleaning can also be harmful — so don’t overdo it.
Consider Changing Your Dog’s Diet
If a food allergy is a suspected cause of your dog’s ear infection, try changing their diet on a trial basis. Add more foods with hydrolyzed protein or limited ingredients.
Not all foods are equal when it comes to allergy-sensitive pups, check out our guide on What Is the Best Dog Food for Allergies?
Supplements like omega 3 (found in fish oils) or probiotics can be beneficial to dogs suffering from skin and ear infections, especially yeast infections.
Make Lifestyle Changes for Your Pooch
If your dog likes swimming, ensure their ears are dried thoroughly after a splash in the water. Clipping ear hairs shorter is another possibility, it reduces debris buildup and creates better airflow — lowering the likelihood of bacteria-thriving conditions.
Reduce any known allergens from their environment. Allergies and other infection-causing conditions like hypothyroidism can usually be managed with daily medications and routine checks with your vet to detect and treat them.
Conclusion
Dog ear infections can be painful and frustrating, but with proper care, they can be managed effectively. However, early intervention is crucial.
When asking, what to do if my dog has an ear infection? You should always seek the advice of a vet before starting any treatment. By staying proactive with your dog’s ear health, you can prevent infections and ensure your pet stays happy and comfortable.
What To Do if My Dog Has An Ear Infection FAQs
Should I Clean My Dog’s Ear if It Is Infected?
You can, only if your vet has directed you to do so — cleaning an infected ear can worsen the infection.
How Do You Tell if a Dog Has an Ear Infection?
Typical signs of a dog ear infection include:
- Ear discharge.
- Smelly ears.
- Frequent head shaking.
- Your dog is showing signs of irritation.
- Itching/scratching of the ears.
To learn more, check out our guide on How To Tell if Your Dog Has an Ear Infection.
How Long Can a Dog Ear Infection Last?
With treatment, especially when detected early, a less severe outer ear infection will typically clear within a week or two. More serious dog ear infections, or if the infection is caused by an underlying condition, can be more challenging and may take months of treatment to completely resolve.
What Happens If You Ignore a Dog Ear Infection?
If left untreated, a simple ear infection can often develop into a more serious issue. Outer ear infections can spread to the middle or inner ear if not treated, which may cause permanent damage to your pup’s hearing.
