Dogs are a lot like humans when it comes to some common physical ailments that they suffer!
We tend and care for them, just as we do ourselves. They accompany us on family outings to parks and beaches or simply they join us in our beds. Inevitably, they may catch a bug, literally and figuratively! You’ll notice when your dog is off. Have you seen her shaking her head more often? Is she scratching her ear frequently? Are you smelling an unpleasant scent around or in her ears? If your pup is experiencing any of the aforementioned or additional below discomforts, there’s a chance she may have an ear infection – but how do dogs get ear infections, anyway?
Symptoms your dog is displaying that may indicate the presence of an ear infection:
- Walking around in circles
- Loss of balance
- Bloody, yellow, or brown discharge from her ear
- Crusting or scabs inside the outer ear
- Redness
- Swelling
- Hair loss around the ear
- Hearing loss
- Rubbing her ears on the floor or furniture unusually
How do dogs get ear infections?
Ear infections are very common problems that occur in dogs. Specifically it can happen in the inner, middle, or outer ear. Ear infections start with the inflammation of the outer ear canal, which is typically caused by yeast or bacteria. If your dog’s ears get wet from swimming or bathing, be sure to dry them thoroughly. Wet and damp ears are breeding grounds for bacteria. Try to keep your dog’s ears clean, to prevent excessive dirt build-up. A simple cotton ball moistened with an ear cleaning solution will do the trick. To also address how do dogs get ear infections, we would like to advise you about hairy dogs. Keep your dog’s ear canal free of excessive hair in the outer canal. Your local groomer or veterinarian can teach you how to do this properly, from the comfort of your home.