It's important to check your dog's ears if you see it constantly shaking its head or scratching its ears. If you notice any discoloration or swollenness, your dog may have a serious ear infection that needs to be treated immediately. The infection could be caused from food allergies, ear mites, unhealthy environments, bacterial infection or poor hygiene. Small infections may be able to heal quickly and naturally, but severe infections will require a visit to the veterinarian. It's important that you then give your dog the prescribed antibiotics and properly treat the canine ear infection. Infections will also occur in three different areas of the ear, including the outer ear, middle ear and inner ear.
Things You'll Need
- Zymox
- Baytril
- Tresaderm
Instructions
Take your dog to a veterinarian as soon as possible to determine the severity of the infection and specific treatment needed for your dog. It's important not to treat your dog with over-the-counter medication if it has a serious ear infection.
Ask your veterinarian about treating your dog's infection with Zymox Otic Enzymatic Solution with hydrocortisone. This ointment will treat the external ear for any acute or chronic inflammation.
Apply the Zymox or other prescribed ointment to your dog's ear canal by massaging on the inside of the ear gently. Watch your dog closely to make sure it doesn't go outside and try to rub off the ointment. Allow the ointment to absorb for at one hour.
Give your dog any prescribed oral medication. A common medication is Baytril, which is a flouroquinolone antibiotic. Feed the pill to your dog along with a treat, making sure it ingests the entire pill.
Apply Tresaderm ear drops to your dog's ear for serious ear infections. This is typically prescribed by veterinarians for infections that can not be treated with just ointment or an antibiotic. Apply the drops to the ear every morning and night for a week. Contact your veterinarian if these treatments don't work effectively and if the infection continues.