Ear infections can be both annoying and painful. This is true for both humans and dogs. Some dogs are more prone to ear infections, including poodles. Knowing what causes ear infections and how to prevent them can help keep poodles healthy and pain free. It is also important for pet owners to know what to do if their poodle does show signs of an ear infection.
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Why Poodles Are Prone
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The shape of a dog's ears sometimes makes him more susceptible to ear infections. The poodle has what is called a "drop ear." This means the ear is long and hangs down. A drop ear creates warmth and moisture, which are perfect conditions for bacteria and other mites that cause infections.
Ear Mites
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Little bugs called ear mites infest a dog's ears, causing them to become red, inflamed and itchy. A dog might exhibit symptoms of ear mites if he shakes his head a lot and scratches his ears. Ear mites can easily jump from one dog to another. They can cause an infection and must be treated with insecticide ear drops found at pet stores.
Signs
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There are many signs that indicate a poodle has an ear infection. They include redness, excessive scratching, shaking of the head, foul odor, excessive ear wax and rubbing on other objects. A poodle that is displaying these symptoms should be taken to the veterinarian to diagnose the ear infection and begin treatment.
Prevention
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Ear infection in poodles is best prevented by cleaning the dog's ears once a week. According to Standard Poodles USA, this process begins by plucking excess hair from the ear canal. Then, use an ear cleaner with little or no alcohol to prevent any irritation where the hair was just plucked. Pour the cleaner outside the ear canal (not directly into it), and let it seep into the dog's ear. Rub the ear to get the cleaner around the ear.
Warning
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An ear infection can do great harm to a poodle. Not only is it painful for the animal, but it can also cause permanent hearing loss. Make sure to keep the dog's ears dry when cleaning, especially if he is prone to ear infections. If an infection does occur, use a medication like Otomax ointment to clear up the infection.
Treatment
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If an infection gets worse while using the same at-home cleaning process, take the dog to a vet to have a culture taken and have antibiotics prescribed. This is especially important if there is pus in the ear that could affect the dog's hearing. A culture will determine what is causing the infection, whether it is bacterial or fungal, allowing the vet to decide what the best treatment option is.
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