If your pet is suffering from a bacterial infection, you'll want to give him antibiotics for dogs in order to best treat the cause of the condition at its source. Antibiotics are drugs that are designed to eliminate bacteria. When bacteria enters into your pet's body in certain places, it can spread and reproduce, causing infections. Because many dogs have ears that have warm, moist passageways, bacteria frequently enters into these areas and reproduces quickly. Thus, ear infections are quite common in many breeds. Read on for a guide on how to use ear infection antibiotics to treat these conditions.
Ear Drops
One of the best ways of treating an ear infection that is caused by bacteria is with ear drops. Medicated ear drops will contain a type of antibiotic that is designed to get rid of the bacteria in your pet's ear. You'll generally need to apply a few drops of the medicine directly to your pet's ear twice per day. Your vet can give you instructions on how many drops should be administered at once, as well as on how to provide the medicine to your pet in such a way that you ensure that the medicine is reaching the infection and working properly.
Oral Antibiotics
The other major type of antibiotic treatment for ear infection is through oral medicines. Oftentimes, the antibiotics that you'll use to treat your pet's ear infection with oral medicines are exactly the same as those that you'll provide topically with ear drops. Oral medicines are good for those dogs that are unwilling to have ear drops put in their ears. They are oftentimes given in tablet form and can be broken up or mixed in with your pet's food, or given along with a treat.
Other Notes About Antibiotics
All antibiotics come with certain types of side effects or risks. It's important that you understand the potential risks of using the medicine before you begin to give it to your pet. Consult with your vet beforehand, and be sure to give him the names of any other medicines that your pet is taking already. All ear infection antibiotics will require a veterinarian's prescription.
It's also very important that you continue the regimen with the antibiotics exactly to your vet's specifications. Do not over- or under-dose your pet, as this may serve to not only prevent the medicine from working, but it may make the bacteria resistant to the medicine, meaning that you won't be able to use it again. Additionally, you may see that your pet's symptoms seem to improve before you've completed the run of the medicine. If this is the case, it's important to still keep giving your pet the medicine, as this ensures that all of the bacteria is eliminated and helps to protect your pet against a recurrence of the infection.
For more information about ear infection antibiotics for dogs, speak with your vet.