Labrador retrievers are prone to ear yeast infections. Itchy, irritating and bothersome, ear yeast infections can bring the bounciest Labs to their knees. Labs are thought to have yeast infections because of the shape of their ears, their affinity for swimming and their high occurrence of allergies. Many Labs suffer from chronic yeast ear infections throughout their lives, while some only experience an occasional flareup. A few steps can be taken to treat a Lab's eat yeast infection and to prevent future infections.
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Facts
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Ear yeast infections, also called Malassezia otitis, are common among dogs, especially Labrador retrievers. Labs love to swim; and when they do, water is typically left inside their L-shaped ear canal. In addition, Labs have floppy ears that do not let air or light inside. As a result, the ears are moist and dark--a perfect place for yeast to grow, suggests The Dog Health Guide website . Labs are also prone to allergies. The histamines in the body react to the allergens and produce excess wax and other secretions. This warm, moist environment attracts yeast spores to thrive and create infections.
Symptoms
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A Lab with an ear yeast infection will constantly scratch his ears or rub them against objects, such as the floor or couch. The ear will likely produce a strong, sweet odor and create dark, sticky wax. In addition, the ear will probably become red and swollen. If the ears are touched, the Lab may cry, whine or groan out of pain or discomfort.
Diagnosis
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Labs suspected of having an ear yeast infection should be taken to a veterinarian for an examination. The doctor will take a peek inside the Lab's ears and collect a sample of the wax. He will then run a few tests on the sample and determine if it is an infection caused by yeast, mites or bacteria. The doctor can then prescribe the appropriate treatment for the infection.
Treatment
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In order to treat a yeast infection, the ear must be cleaned once a day until the infection is resolved. The debris and yeast should be removed from the ear canal; otherwise, the medication will not make contact with the infected area and will not be effective. An ear cleaner formulated for dogs should be used to remove the wax before application of the medication. Ear yeast infections are typically resolved with Chlorhexidine 4 percent, followed with clotramizole or another medication that kills yeast, states The Animal Pet Doctor website.
Prevention
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Labs with constantly recurring yeast infections may need other types of treatment to prevent flareups. For instance, the dog may need to take antihistamines to combat her allergies. If the allergies are under control, the ear yeast infections may stop. In addition, many Labs are allergic to components in their food, which may cause ear yeast infections. A food trial can determine the culprit, and placing the dog on food she is not allergic to will likely resolve the ear yeast infections.
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