Bad Dog Ear Infections

Dogs, especially if they have floppy ears, are prone to ear infections for many different reasons. It is important for a dog owner to recognize the symptoms of an advanced ear infection so a veterinarian can be seen for treatment.

  1. Symptoms

    • Dogs with ear infections may show aggression if someone tries to touch their ears. Other symptoms may be that the dog will continually shake his head or scratch his ears for no apparent reason.

    Causes

    • Dogs can have ear infections because of unhealthy environments or hygiene, bacterial infections, ear mites or allergies.

    Treatment

    • Ear infections are usually easy to treat and are curable. Antibiotics or ear drops are usually the treatment prescribed for ear infections. However, the treatment may vary depending on the cause of the ear infection.

    Prevention

    • When it comes to ear infections, especially for dogs that have already had one infection, prevention is important. Regularly check your dog's ears for infection. You can do this by lifting the ear and determining if there is a discharge or if there is a stench.

    Warning

    • If you suspect your dog has an ear infection, a veterinarian should be seen. Ignoring the infection could cause permanent damage.