Dog Ear Discharge: Symptoms, Causes,Treatment, And Prevention

Many dog owners find it difficult to deal with Common Canine health issues such as Dog Ear Discharge (Dog Ear Infection), but many have successfully handled it by knowing the Causes, Symptoms, Treatment, And Prevention.

Recent studies show that about 20 percent of dogs likely have one form of ear infections (disease) or the other, So, if your dog abruptly begins to scratch and whine the ears to the point of making them red, then you should start suspecting he is having an infection of the ear and if proper care is nothing taken, leads to disgusting dog ear discharges.

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This post will show you how to properly deal with Dog Ear Discharge–Dog Ear Infection at all levels, knowing the causes, symptoms, medications, and prevention.

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Now Without wasting time!

Dog Ear Infections: Are painful condition suffered by most dogs throughout their life, its an inflammation caused by bacterias, ear mites, allergies, and yeast. The infection of the dog's ear can lead to severe itching, rubbing, scratching, ear discharges at one or both ears.

Most cases of ear infections in adults dogs result from bacteria infection & yeast, and common causes in puppies are from ear mites.

The three types (kinds) of ear infections or Otitis that occur in dogs are:

—Otitis externa (Outer Ear): This refers to a kind of ear inflammation that affects the external portion or lining of the ear canal.

—Otitis Media (Middle Ear): This refers to a kind of ear infection that affects the middle lining of the ear canal, this occurs when the inflammation spreads from the outer portion and reaches the middle part.

—Otitis Internal (Inner Ear): This refers to a kind of ear infection that affects the internal portion of the ear canal, this happens as the inflammation spreads from the outer portion, middle portion and reaches the inner part.

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They affect different areas or parts of the dog's ear. Dog ear infections could lead to discharges and are common health problems in dogs with floppy ears such as Cocker Spaniels and Basset Hounds. So going by the recent estimate that over 20% of dogs have ear disease that could advance to more serious cases causing facial paralysis, vestibular disease, deafness, lack of coordination etc.

I think it is wise to take preventive measures, let your dog undergo early diagnosis & treatment for ear infection, to trim down the incidence of this frustrating canine ear disease.

How do you tell your Dog has an ear infection?

What are the symptoms of ear infection in dogs, is ear discharge in dogs one of the ways to know your dog's ears are infected?

Lets quickly look at some Dog's ear infection symptoms you should know as a dog owner.

Symptoms of Dog Ear Infections.

> Severe Itchiness around the affected ear.

> Dark, Smelly, offensive abnormal discharge from the affected ear(s)

> Foul odor arising from the infected ear(s)

> Ear Canal Swelling & Redness.

> Crusting around the ear

> Reluctant in chewing due to pain when opening the mouth

> Tilting and shaking of the head.

> Loss of balance and coordination

> Causes Of Ear Infections In Dogs?

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Do you know that dog's ear canal is more vertical in structure than that of humans, and that it is “L” shaped, and that tends to take hold of fluid? This particular reason makes dogs vulnerable to ear infections.

Here are some common causes of canine ear infection:

– Fungus (aspergillosis)

– Yeast

– Viruses

– Bacteria

– Moisture (enabling yeast and bacteria to grow)

– Drug reactions

– Mites (this affect puppies mostly)

– Allergies

– Foreign bodies

– Thyroid disorders

– Endocrine disorders

– Autoimmune disease (pemphigus)

– Wax buildup

– Ear injuries.

– Excessive cleaning

– Encephalitis

– Meningitis.

Before we Proceed!

Remember that bacteria and yeast happen to be is the most common cause of Dog ear discharge (Infection).

Now let me explain!

Bacterial Ear Infections

Bacterias remain a common cause of ear disease in dogs. Normally there are friendly bacterias in the dog's ears that check harmful or pathogenic bacteria.

When there is an upset in the balance your dog is definitely at risk.

The reason is, the dog can get bacteria from the entrance of contaminated water from Pond into his ears, the bacteria begins to build up causing infection if not fought.

Bacteria such as Staphylococcus normally live in the dog's ear and can overgrow, especially if the immune system of the dog is weak.

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Fungal Or Yeast Ear Infections.

Fungi live naturally your dog’s ear. They live alongside with bacteria small colonies known as the microbiome. Yeast can also grow out of control, with a weak dog's immune system.

This infection can come as a result of immune dysfunction like hormone imbalances, hypothyroidism or allergies.

Diagnosing Dog’s Ear Infections.

Firstly, visit a veterinarian as soon as you can, if you suspect your dog is having signs of ear discharge or infection because early detection and treatment will help stop the disease from spreading to the middle and inner portion of the ear.

Haven contacted a vet to help you out, also make sure you provide the vet with a correct history of your dog's health. Remember Dog's Ear infections can at any point in time and this can be a very horrible experience for the dog.

Provide Your Vet With the following information:

(1) Your Vet should know if your dog is currently on any medication.

(2) He should be told the duration of the symptoms as shown by the dog—how long does the swelling, pain, odor, the discharge has been.

(3) Have You trimmed your dog's hair? you should open up to him.

(4) What have you been feeding your dog with? you have to tell him.

(5) Explain to him, if your dog has allergies or other health conditions

(6) Tell him how many times you clean your dog's ear per day or week.

(7) Tell him about your activities with the dog, walking, swimming, bathing, romping etc.

(8) Tell him if your dog has any history of ear infections, explain to him if this is occurring for the first time or it has happened before and the treatment given.

The vet will begin his examination and checkings of both ears after collection information about the dog from you. And in doing so the process might need your dog to be sedated depending the pains and severity of the ear infection.

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In Diagnosing Dog Ear Infection simply carry out the following checkups.

> Gently Palpate the ear and assess the severity of pain.

> Look at for signs such as blood, redness, swelling, crusts.

> Collect tissue samples from the affected ear (do tissue culture) and carry out a thorough microscopic evaluation.

> Carry out an otoscopic examination, this enables the vet take a look inside the ear to see if there is any foreign bodies, wax buildup, ear mites, eardrum damage, and debris.

> Carry out ear x-rays and biopsies for chronic infections.

Ways To Treat Dog Ear Infections.

Your dog's ear is thoroughly cleansed, and systemic antibiotics prescribed for him by the vet, this you can administer at home.

To ease the severe pain and inflammation, drugs like steroids or Tramadol will be prescribed also for your dog.

Mild cases of ear infections in dogs may resolve within 10 to 30 days, severe and chronic cases may take months with regular checks and treatment plans.

You have to abide by your vet's instructions concerning the treatment by completing the dosage and full medication as prescribed by the vet.

Preventing Ear Infections in Dogs.

Prevention is always better than cure, one of the ways to prevent dog ear infection is to avoid the contributing factors. Make sure you dry your dog's ear thoroughly after bathing or swimming. Use the Cotton balls to carefully dry your dog's ear.

Cleaning of dog's ear is another way of preventing infections and you should check out the guidelines below.

First, you have to fill the ear canal with a solution for cleaning and carefully massage the ear canal from the outside. Then clean the canal, but don’t make use of cotton or paper towels, the reason is that they may leave fibers which could cause irritation.

Clean the folds, dog’s ear flap using Cotton-tipped sticks, remember not to use them in the ear canal.

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Home Or Natural Remedies For Dog Ear Infection.

Dog ear infections remain one of the most common canine health conditions. They’re so frustrating to tackle because they always come back if not prevented or properly treated.

Let me show you Top 5 Natural Medications for dog ear infections.

Top 5 Natural Cure For Dog Ear Infections

These natural Ingredients are working and have been tested and trusted, they are very easy to get and are less expensive.

1. Mullein

Mullein is actually a plant with potent antibacterial properties and performs greatly in curing Dog ear infections. This can be gotten at your local health store.

How To Make Mullein Natural Recipe For Dog Ear Infection.

Get some clean mullein leaves or flowers, put them in a glass, then cover it olive oil. To high or increased it's antibiotic potency, be sure to add a clove or few (two) antibacterial garlic per pint of oil and allow it mix for two to three weeks.

Apply and Strain several drops of the warmed oil into the dog's ear canal using a dropper or soak it on a cotton ball. If you feel the process is too hard for you, simply buy an already made infused oil.

Try Apple Cider Vinegar

Vinegar has an acetic acid which helps in removing debris and specks of dirt from dog's ears. It has the ability to combat and kill both bacteria and yeast. In case your dog has sore, red ears, avoid using vinegar because of the severe pain it will induce.

How To Use.

Put your apple cider vinegar in a glass jar with distilled water. Put it in a syringe get it into your dog’s ear, or simply soak a cotton ball in the vinegar/water solution and gently use it to clean your dog’s ear flap.

Try Calendula

Calendula has high healing capacities and remains one of the best natural herbs used in treating external ear infections in dogs. Calendula can also be used externally or internally, it's an antifungal and pain relieving herb.

It is easy to buy an already made infused oil or make one for your dog at home:

Put some calendula flowers in a clean glass and mix with olive oil. Add a clove of clove garlic.

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Be sure that the flowers are fully covered with the oil keep the mixture for three to four days.

Apply the warmed oil into the dog's ear canal using a dropper or cotton ball for 6moths and see the magic.

Use Oregano Oil.

Oil of oregano is purely an effective natural antibiotic you can use to treat your dog's ear infection. But make sure it is diluted before you use it to avoid irritation.

How To Make It At Home.

Put one drop of oregano oil to about ½ oz of pure aloe vera juice (sold at the health food stores). Strain a small amount of the mixture into the dog’s ear.

Coconut Oil Works Perfectly.

Coconut oil is a good antifungal and antibacterial agent and can perfectly cure your dog's ear infection.

How to use coconut oil:

Put 2 tablespoons coconut oil into a saucepan, get it on low heat, add two fresh garlic cloves to increase potency. Allow it to cool down and then put two to three drops in the affected ear. Apply 2 to 3 times daily for 5 to 7 days, once the dog is free you can use the remaining to be cleaning your dog's ear once a week as a preventive measure.

How To Treat Persistent Or Chronic Dog Ear Infections

If your dog persistently suffers from ear infections, know that there is a problem with the immune system.

Here is what to do!

Can I tell you?

Firstly rule out perforated or leaky gut. Some dogs have cases of leaky gut and this can cause bacterial infection which will be out of control leading to allergy.

Leaky gut causes and allergy symptoms like ear infections in Dogs:

Drugs & Other Toxins

The unnecessary use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatories (NSAIDs), steroids, deworming drugs, tick treatments (many contain pesticides) and antibiotics (leading to an imbalance of healthy gut bacteria.

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Poor Treat Or Diet.

Treating your dog with highly processed, rice, grain-based foods containing wheat, spelt and soy, preservatives and additives_the lectin contained in unsprouted grains; sugar, genetically modified foods (GMOs) and pasteurized dairy products etc.

Over-Vaccination

This can be harmful to your dog's immune system and can also cause a number of autoimmune diseases like allergies.

It is high time you learn to improve on your dog's diets and this can help you prevent your dog from suffering chronic ear infections. There are a lot of Healthy Human foods or Diets you can give to your dog which will help in solving the problem high carbohydrate in the diet and will help cure the leaky gut.

So far, you can actually help your dog stay healthy without having ear discharge of infections by sticking to the preventive steps I have stated above and if your dog has been infected already, do well to apply the curative procedures stated above.

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