If you’ve ever experienced the pain and discomfort of a middle or inner ear infection before then you are familiar with how painful it can be. Imagine how much worse it would be if you couldn’t vocalize your discomfort or pain to someone, and this is exactly how dogs feel if they develop an ear infection. Symptoms of middle and inner ear infections may go unnoticed in dogs leading to further complications and problems.

One of the signs that may indicate your dog has an ear infections is head shaking. A dog with an ear infection will shake his head a lot and scratch his ears intensely. Upon careful observation you may notice your dog is restless or uncomfortable. Discharge from the ears or any swelling on the face or head could be symptoms of an inner or middle ear infection. Abnormal or excessive wax buildup in the ear often accompanied with an unpleasant odor is definitely signs something is wrong.

An outer ear infection can progress into the inner ear causing more severe problems; this is why it is vital to treat any visible problems in the outer ear as soon as possible. Ear mites can also cause an inner ear infection so if you suspect your dog has ear mites you should take him to the vet immediately to receive treatment. Allergies and inadequate hygiene can also contribute to ear infections as well as your dog’s environment so always make sure your dog’s living area is clean.

Floppy eared dogs such as Basset hounds and Beagles are prone to chronic ear infections and require regular grooming and ear examinations to avoid potential problems. Because the inside of a dog’s ear is dark and moist special care should be given to your dog’s ears, especially after a bath or a swim.

If your dog exhibits symptoms of an ear problem you should take him to the vet immediately. Your vet will perform an ear examination on your dog using something called an otoscope which allows him to look deep into the dog’s ear canal to determine if anything is wrong. Sometimes an x ray will be performed as well. If the vet discovers an infection, he may flush the ear out by anesthetizing the dog and performing a thorough ear cleaning to prepare the ear for treatment. Treatment is usually in the form of topical creams, ointments and eardrop as well as oral antibiotics in some cases.

As you will have to continue treatment at home, your vet will probably recommend that you gently clean your dog’s ears before administering medication. Always maintain proper ear hygiene in your dog and inspect your dog’s ears regularly. Inner and middle ear infections that go neglected for a period of time can develop into serious conditions that could require surgery. Prevention is better than the cure so never delay in taking your dog to the vet if you suspect something is wrong with his ears.

From Nicole and friends at Chazhound.com, featuring elevated dog feeders and pet gates