A dog ear infection can cause a canine a lot of grief. Ear infections are caused by a buildup of bacteria and yeast, which usually affect the outer part of the ear canal.
Symptoms of Ear Infections in Dogs
A dog that has an ear infection will shake his head a lot. He may also paw or try to scratch his ear. A dog owner may notice a bad smell or a discharge coming from the ear coming from the ear when it is infected.
Home Remedies to Treat Dog Ear Infections
One of the first things a pet owner can do when an ear infection is noticed is clean the dog’s ear. This can be done with a cotton ball or facial tissue with a special ear-cleaning solution. Ear-cleaning solutions can be purchased or made at home. Some vets recommend making a solution that consists of one part apple cider vinegar, one part hydrogen peroxide, and one part water. To administer the solution, fill a dog’s ear with the solution while rubbing the base of it. Then let the dog shake his head to clear the solution from the ear; wipe the rest of it out with a cotton ball. Cutting the hair inside a dog’s ear can also help as it gives bacteria and yeast one less place to reside upon in the ear.
A warm compress can be beneficial to treating an ear infection. It is advised that one apply the warm compress to the dog’s ear many times a day to help reduce redness, pain, irritation and inflammation.
Olive or cod liver oil is helpful when treating a dog with an infection of the middle or inner ear. Place a few drops of oil in the ear affected and massage it for about 10 seconds. These oils can be found in capsules in the vitamin and supplement section of many stores.
Use apple cider vinegar to help prevent an ear infection from becoming worse. Instead of putting the vinegar in the dog’s ear, mix 2 tablespoons of it with a cup of water and have the dog drink it all. This can be repeated on a daily basis until the infection clears up.
Garlic has also been found to be a good home remedy because of the herb’s antibiotic properties. One just needs to mash two cloves of garlic with a cup of olive oil and let it sit for two weeks. After two weeks, strain the mixture and warm it up a bit. Then place 2 to 3 drops of oil in the infected ear until the infection clears-up. This is a good remedy if a dog is prone to frequent infections because of the time it takes to make. However, if one does not have the premade solution on hand, oil from a garlic gel capsule can be used.
If a dog’s ear infection does not seem to get better with the use of home remedies, consult a veterinarian (traditional or holistic). If left untreated, ear infections in dog can lead to hearing loss or other serious problems.