Dogs make faithful companions and loving pets. There̵7;s nothing worse than when your devoted friend is in pain and you̵7;re uncertain how to help. One common cause of pain in dogs is ear problems, especially ear infections. Your vet can prescribe medications that will help to treat ear problems in dogs, but there are also steps you can take at home to help your pet recover faster.
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Causes of Ear Pain
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Determine what's causing your dog's ear pain. You may need to seek a vet's advice. Ear infection is the most common cause of ear pain in dogs. Bacteria or yeast causes ear infections in dogs. A dog with an ear infection will shake her head a lot and may scratch at her ears. Her ears may begin to smell bad and release a yellow, brown or black discharge.
Another common cause of ear pain in dogs is ear mites. A dog with an ear mite infestation will also shake his head a lot, paw at his ears and have discharge.
Ear infections should be treated by a vet, but you can help relieve your pet̵7;s discomfort using herbs or some items commonly found in your kitchen.
Help From the Kitchen
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Ease your dog̵7;s pain by using a warm compress several times a day. Set a heating pad on low and wrap it in a kitchen towel, or soak a kitchen towel in hot water, place it in a plastic bag and then wrap the bag in a dry kitchen towel. Apply the compress to the painful ear for ten minutes several times a day. The warmth and pressure will help ease your dog̵7;s pain and distress.
If you keep cod liver oil in the house, you can put a two or three drops into your dog̵7;s ear each day. The oil can help ease the pain.
Another kitchen remedy is apple cider vinegar. Mix two tablespoons of apple cider vinegar with a cup of water and coax your dog to drink it. This solution will help to fight the infection from the inside out.
Help From Herbs
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Herbs can also help relieve your dog̵7;s symptoms. Calendula is a soothing herb with properties that can help the ear to heal. You can find calendula in tincture form at most health food stores. Mix a teaspoon of the tincture with a cup of filtered water at room temperature. Add a pinch of salt. Use this mixture to clean your dog̵7;s ear once each day.
Mullein and garlic ear drops are readily available at health food stores. They are to treat ear aches in people, but work well for dogs, too. Place five drops into the dog's ear canal and gently massage the ear for a minute or two.
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