Dog ear infections result from allergic reactions, over-production of wax and hair growth in the canal or even foreign bodies such as grass awns and foxtails. Chronic ear infections are very discomforting and painful on dogs. Chronic ear infections may damage your dog's eardrum or even close its ear canal. You must therefore take your dog to a vet for examination as soon as you notice signs of discomfort since chronic ear infections are recurrent, and if not treated properly might lead to serious complications.
Instructions
Treatment Procedure
Establish the cause of infection. A vet will examine your dog's ear using an otoscope--an instrument that makes the ear canal visible by lighting and magnifying it. This is necessary to locate the presence of any foreign bodies and to ensure that the eardrum is intact. The vet will then examine material from the ear canal to establish the exact cause of the infection.
Administer prescribed medication. If a foreign body is present, the vet will remove it. For bacterial infections, the vet will prescribe antibiotics which you must give your dog for about one or two weeks. For yeast infections, you will use a 4 percent solution of chlorhexidine together with clotramizole cream. If the infection is more severe the vet will sedate your dog and clean its ear.
Administer regular home treatment. Apart from the medication prescribed by the vet you will have to treat your dog with disinfecting ear washes as part of its daily grooming routine. When cleaning your dog's ear, do not use water or peroxide. You must also keep your dog's ear canal clean by using gentle ear cleaners to clear out the wax. Your vet can give you a demonstration on how to clean your dog's ear.
Take your dog for follow up after two weeks. This will enable the vet to check on its progress and determine whether there are other underlying causes of your dog's chronic ear infection. The vet will also determine whether the medication is working and whether the infection is cured.