If your animal is holding his head to one side, is sensitive around his ears, is excessively scratching his ears or seems unbalanced, chances are he has an inner ear infection. Inner ear infections are painful and can leave your pet feeling dizzy. In order to balance the inner ear, the infection needs to be resolved. Treatment depends upon the severity of the inner ear infection.
Things You'll Need
- Ear cleanser
- Cotton balls or squares
- Antibiotics
Instructions
Clean the ear with a gentle ear cleanser and cotton balls or squares. Pour the cleanser into the ear until it comes out, then massage the base of the ear to work up the debris that is in the ear. Use the cotton balls or squares to remove the discharge. Repeat this process until all the discharge is removed. Depending upon the temperament of your animal and the amount of pain she may in, sedation or anesthesia may be necessary in order to thoroughly clean the ear.
Administer the medication that your veterinarian prescribes to your pet. If the medication is a topical ointment, squeeze a few drops into the canal and onto the ear flap, if it is inflamed. If the medication is oral, you can either open your dog's mouth and put the pills down his throat, or try to hide pills in cheese or peanut butter. If the infection is chronic and more severe, surgery may be necessary. In very chronic, severe cases, removal and closure of the entire ear canal, which is called a total ear ablation, may be necessary in order to stop the infections.
Examine your dog and her ears about a week after you have begun treatment. If the ear looks clean and its color is back to its normal state, the infection has probably cleared. Additionally, if your pet stops scratching at the ear and doesn't hold the head to one side, these are signs that the inner ear infection has resolved. Although, even if the infection seems to have cleared up, it is important to finish the medication or give it to your dog for the length of time that your veterinarian has prescribed.