Ear infections are
very common problems in dogs. Although signs are not hard to miss, it can be
tricky to make ear infections go away and never come back. A dog with infection
of the outer ear may appear to be shaking his head persistently, there’s
redness and swelling within the ears, scratching at the ears, and a
foul-smelling discharge from the ears. Here are some common myths about ear infections
that have been busted:
Myth: Ear
infections can be cured by apple cider vinegar.
Fact: Apple cider
vinegar can be used as one of the ingredients in making an ear-cleaning
solution. However, this type of solutions are discouraged because it can actually
increase the risk of infection.
Myth: Leftover medication from a previous infection
should never be used.
Fact: It’s
important to have your dog examined by a veterinarian before any treatment is
provided. Even if you are tempted, using leftover medication should never be
done, even if the problem appears to be similar to the previous one.
Myth: Infection can
occur from cleaning your dog’s ears.
Fact: Ear
infections in dogs usually develop as a result of an underlying condition. It
may be caused by bacteria, yeast, allergies, trauma, tumors, foreign material,
and hormonal problems. There are also certain breeds of dogs that are more
prone to developing ear infections because of the anatomy of their ears.
Any signs of ear problems should be brought to the attention of a veterinarian Century West, OR.