Within the ears of a dog, yeast infection problems remain one of the leading problems. Droopy eared dogs are especially prone to yeast infections within the ear canals because the ears actually help trap moisture within the ear.
If your dog scratches at his ears a lot, repeatedly shakes his head or has a foul odor coming from the ears, a yeast infection is the likely problem. Most dog yeast infection issues are caused by food allergies.
Symptoms of a Dog Yeast Infection
If a yeast infection is to blame within your dog's ears, you'll smell a sour smell, it may even remind you of sour dough starter for bread. In addition to the foul odor, there will be an excess of brown ear wax.
Your dog will likely spend a lot of time scratching at his ears. With many dogs the scratching is so obsessive that it causes the skin to become irritated and may develop raw, open sores where the nails tear into the skin.
Another sign a dog has a yeast infection appears when you try to touch your dog's ears. Yeast infections in ears can be painful, so he may yelp and pull away when you scratch behind his ears or try to look into them.
Best Treatments for a Dog Yeast Infection in the Ears
Veterinarians will not prescribe antibiotics for a yeast infection in a dog's ears. Instead, a fungicide will be given. Because yeast is a living fungus, medications to kill the fungi are required.
The first step to treating a dog yeast infection in the ears involves using a special ear wash solution that contains boric acid. The boric acid changes the pH balance within the ear preventing yeast from growing. You place a few drops into the dog's ear canals and massage the base of the ear to make sure the ear wash gets deep into the canal. Your dog will shake his head, so be ready with tissues or cotton balls to wipe away some of the waxy build-up that comes out.
Next, you'll use a anti-fungal cream like Animax. This helps sooth the itching and pain, while also killing off the fungus. The cream is prescription-only, so your dog will need to see the veterinarian.
At the veterinary office, expect your vet to take a swab of the inner-ear. He'll look under the microscope to help determine the cause of the infection. Many times, yeast infections go hand in hand with a bacterial ear infection. If this is the case, antibiotics to kill the bacteria will also be prescribed.
Preventing Dog Yeast Infections in the Ears
If you have a floppy eared dog breed, keep hair within the ear trimmed back to prevent moisture from getting trapped in the ear. Periodically wash your dog's ears with a solution that includes boric acid to keep the yeast from multiplying.
With many frequent ear infections, dietary changes help. Try balancing your dog's natural pH levels to make the dog's ear tissue less prone to developing yeast infections. Avoid foods that have artificial dyes, preservatives and flavoring, they are leading causes of pet allergies. Eliminate foods with corn, soy and wheat gluten.