Home Remedies for a Dog's Ear Infection

While ear infections in dogs are common, they can be serious if left untreated. Ear infections have different causes. The most common cause of a dog's ear infection is a bacterial or yeast infection. Because many floppy-eared dogs have poor air flow around their ears, they are especially susceptible to ear infections. Along with your veterinarian's diagnosis and recommended treatment, home remedies can help treat your dog's ear infection. This article will provide some home remedies for a dog's ear infection.

To prevent an ear infection in your dog, regular grooming of the area is required, especially if the dog has long floppy ears or a lot of hair inside the ear. Take your dog to a groomer or clip the hair around the ear yourself. Always dry your dog's ear after a bath. While it is not necessary to clean the ear every day, practice good hygiene with your dog's ears. Also, check that your dog does not have ear mites or fleas. Finally, it is always wise to check for foreign objects, such as leaves or twigs that may be lodged in your dog's ears.

A dog with an ear infection will often show signs of pain and discomfort in that area. He may whine and scratch at his ear or shake his head repeatedly. There may be an abnormal odor or discharge from the infected ear as well as redness and swelling. Sometimes a dog will have balance problems as well.

If you suspect that your dog has an ear infection, take him to the veterinarian. Your veterinarian can diagnose the type and severity of the infection in your dog's ear as well as the appropriate treatment. Often, a veterinarian will recommend a topical ointment that is a mixture of an antibiotic, an anti-inflammatory and something to kill yeast. Your veterinarian may also prescribe oral antibiotics. Follow your veterinarian's treatment schedule, and bring your dog back for regular checkups as prescribed. Before using home remedies on your dog, always consult your veterinarian so that the remedies are tailored to your dog's specific type of ear infection.

The most popular home remedy for a dog's ear infection is a mixture of 2 parts water to 1 part apple cider vinegar. White vinegar will work as well. Warm the solution to room temperature or just a little above to make it more comfortable for your dog's sensitive ear. Mist the affected area with a gentle spray bottle or apply to a soft cloth and swipe around the ear, being careful not to delve too deeply into the dog's ear canal. Apply the vinegar mixture 2 to 4 times a week, depending on severity. Cod liver oil or vitamin E oil can also be applied in single drops into the dog's ear to relieve pain. Another home remedy to help with pain is to apply a warm compress several times a day to the affected area.

Check with your veterinarian before using any home remedies, and always get a diagnosis before applying treatments. Since dogs can get different types of ear infections, have your dog checked by a veterinarian. You should never clean your dog's ears with a cotton swab. A cotton swab will push infection deeper into the ear canal. Also, there are serious complications from ear infections that are left untreated. Deafness is a common complication while more serious ones include facial nerve problems, tumors and, more rarely, bacterial meningitis.