Ear Infection Treatment for Dogs

With dog ownership comes great responsibility. Aside from making sure our dogs are receiving the proper nutrition and exercise; another thing dog owners should look out for are potential health issues and how to prevent or treat them – including ear infections!

Ear infections in dogs are unfortunately a common problem, especially for breeds that have floppy ears such as beagles, basset hounds and labradoodles, affecting either one or both of their ears. 20% of dogs experience this and can vary in length, frequency and severity. If left untreated, it can cause hearing and ear damage to your pets. In this article, we'll share how you can spot the signs, symptoms and treatment for dog ear infections.

What causes ear infection in dogs?

The main causes of dog ear infections are an overgrowth of yeast or bacteria, or both, inside their ears. Moisture, allergies (food and environmental), autoimmune disorders, hypothyroidism, wax buildup, ear canal injuries, and even too much cleaning are among some of the things that can breed perfect environments for yeast and bacteria build-up.

Symptoms of Dog Ear Infections

Keep an eye out for the following signs and symptoms your dog could be experiencing ear infections:

• Redness, Swelling of the ear flap
• Frequent Head tilt and/or Head shaking
• Rubbing or pressing of its face, often on the ground
• Discharge with odor and puss
• Pain
• Itching & scratching of the ears
• Yeast-y odor around the area
• Loss of balance, vomiting, and partial deafness in some cases

What is the best treatment for dog ear infection?

There are several treatment options for this including topical, oral or surgical therapies depending on the infection's severity and current condition.

For some easy topical solutions, we have three top recommendations:

1. Jeffers Pet Ear Cleaner Therapeutic Treatment Solution
2. Jeffers Ear Flush Advanced Otic Cleanser for Dogs & Cats
3. Jeffers Anti-Itch Ear Drops

The Jeffers Ear Cleaner and Therapeutic Treatment contains natural Eucalyptus extract to remove ear wax, reduce ear odors and inflammation caused by ear mite infestation. While the Ear Flush Advanced Otic Cleanser features 0.2% Ketoconazole that provides itch relief from different types of infections such as fungal ear infections, yeast infections, insect bites, and contact dermatitis.

Provide the optimal topical treatment finishing off with our Anti Itch Ear Drops. This is formulated with hydrocortisone that helps reduce inflammation, itching and swelling. Apply the ear drops after using the cleanser for the best results.

If oral solutions are your thing, we recommend Rx Amoxicillin Oral Suspension for Dogs and Cats. Amoxicillin is a broad-spectrum penicillin antibiotic used to treat various infections caused by susceptible strains of bacteria. It treats several types of infections including ear infections, urinary tract infections, and skin infections.

These recommendations will be effective depending on the current condition of the infection. If symptoms persist, contact your vet.

Some owners can also turn to surgical solutions if topical or oral treatments are not working or for severe chronic infection cases where either the diseased tissue needs to be completely removed or for their ear canals needing to be opened. Always consult your vet for the best course of action.

How much does an ear infection treatment for dogs cost?

The cost of dog ear infection treatments can vary on several factors including the severity of the infection, your location, medication needed and follow up care. Because veterinary costs can be unpredictable, the estimated treatment cost can range from $100 to $500.

How can I treat my dogs ear infection at home?

If you've noticed the signs and symptoms on its early stages or if its a mild infection, dog owners can opt for at home treatment including over-the-counter medicated ear cleansers that you can find at our Ear Mite Treatment and Dog Ear Care supplies collections online.

Often, veterinary treatment and prescription medication will be required to ultimately get your dog at their optimal otic health. Browse our Prescription Medicine for Dog Ear Solutions to accommodate your needs at your convenience.

How to Prevent Dogs from Ear Infections Moving Forward

Maintenance of your dog's ears to prevent infections includes regular grooming, ear cleaning, and gentle applications of ear care on your pet. If your dog loves the outdoors, plays in the mud or loves to swim, it's important to do regular ear cleansing.

Read more about dog ear care tips and general dog health care here in our Jeffers Pet blog from articles such as Understanding Chronic Dog Ear Infections, The Importance of Vaccinating Your Dogs, Causes and Symptoms of Kennel Cough, and Pros & Cons of Spaying.