Yeast infections are the most common ear problem for which dogs are brought to a veterinarian, according to the Dog Health Guide. The yeast infection, known as Malassezia otitis, is often the result of a reaction to ear mites. In other cases, it may be caused by a food allergy. In mild cases, you can treat dog yeast infections in the ears at home. However, if the condition doesn't respond to home treatment or worsens, it is best to take your pet to a veterinarian.
Things You'll Need
- Dog ear cleaning solution, homemade or from veterinarian
- Cotton balls
Instructions
Examine your dog's ears to identify the signs of a yeast infection or mite infection. The symptoms include over-production of earwax, which appears as brown flecks. You may see other secretions in the ear, and the ears have a foul smell.
Swab out the inside of your dog's affected ear using a cotton ball.
Dog ear-cleaning solutions are available from your veterinarian or at pet stores. The products are designed to clean and dry the ear canal, as well as to create an acidic environment within the ear canal so that bacteria cannot continue to live there.
You can make a homemade ear cleaning solution using white vinegar mixed to a 50:50 ratio with water.
Insert the ear cleaning solution into your dog's ear and fill the ear canal to overflowing with the solution. Do not force the bottle into your dog's ear or you could damage the ear canal and cause the eardrum to rupture.
Massage the base of your dog's ear to move the cleaning solution around in the ear. Hold your dog and let the solution remain in the ear canal for five minutes.
Allow your dog to shake his head. Then swab out any remaining solution using a clean cotton ball.
Repeat the procedure each day for seven to 10 days, then continue to do ear washes once a week for maintenance.