How do you get rid of an inner ear infection in a dog?
Antibiotics (such as amoxicillin-clavulanate, enrofloxacin, clindamycin, or cefpodoxime) will be used for a bacterial infection for 6-8 weeks minimum. If the infection is fungal in nature, an anti-fungal medication (most often itraconazole) will be prescribed.
How does an inner ear infection affect a dog?
The middle and inner ear of a dog are separated by the ear drum from the outer drum. The inner ear controls the dog’s sense of balance and hearing. Infection in the inner ear can therefore cause a loss of balance and hearing. If untreated, the infection can progress to the brain and cause neurological problems as well.
Can a cocker spaniel get an inner ear infection?
Dogs with narrow ear canals, such the Cocker Spaniel and the Shar-Pei, and dogs with hairy inner ear canals, such as the Poodle and Schnauzer, can also be more susceptible to middle and inner ear infections. Your dog’s ear consists of three main parts: the outer ear, the middle ear and the inner ear.
When to take your dog to the vet for an ear infection?
If your dog is showing any of the common signs of ear infections, it’s important to visit your veterinarian as soon as possible Many dog owners have learned to recognize the telltale signs of an ear infection: whining, scratching, and head shaking are often the first symptoms of the problem.
How can you tell if your dog has otitis interna?
The signs of otitis interna depend upon the severity and the extent of the infection. Some dogs may show no outward signs at all, but you may notice your dog is reluctant to chew or seems to be in pain when opening his mouth. He may shake his head or paw at the affected ear.
What happens if your dog has an ear infection?
An untreated external ear infection can easily lead to a very painful middle or inner ear infection, both of which have similar signs to otitis externa, along with reluctance to open the mouth or problems with balance. Some dogs may walk in circles or become nauseous.
Why does my Bloodhound have an ear infection?
One of the most often encountered dog ear problems is associated with ear infections, and it’s often a repeating problem, especially if your dog spends a lot of time in the water. Dogs with long and hanging ears like Bloodhound or Basset Hound are more likely to be affected by ear infections.
Can a cocker spaniel have an ear infection?
Ear infections are common conditions in dogs, especially those with floppy ears such as Basset Hounds and Cocker Spaniels. An estimated 20 percent of dogs have some form of ear disease, which may affect one or both ears. Fortunately, there are steps you can take to reduce the length and severity of these episodes for your dog.
Why does my dog keep scratching his ears?
The most common are food and airborne allergies. The symptoms are the same as with any other other ear infection, which entails pain, redness and discharge. Dogs will often scratch their ears and shake their head if they have an ear infection due to allergy.