How to Tell If Your Dog Has an Ear Problem

Dog ear problems most often are caused by environmental issues with the dog's surroundings. There are both various types of ear problems for dogs, and many symptoms, which you need to look for. The good thing is that both the symptoms and the problems can be prevented and cured with proper care of your pup.

The first thing you must know is which type of ear problem your dog has. There are six types of ear problems in dogs; bacteria and yeast infections which can be from mold or simple illness like a bad cold; allergic reactions to something the pup comes into contact with; ear mites which are tiny white bugs living off of the buildup in the ear canal; something tiny getting stuck or caught in the ear canal, build up of wax in the ear and skin disorders such as dermatitis or poison ivy. The effects of ear problems in dogs can range from a severe discomfort of your buddy to complete hearing loss. It depends on the length of time and the type of infection present.

So how do you know if your dog has an ear problem. Symptoms of ear problems in dogs include any combination of the following; a constant tilting of his head to one side like one ear is heavier than the other; an intense shaking of the head like you would do if you were trying to clear your head of something; pawing at the ears as if to remove something; bleeding and redness is another sign. If your pup has a problem with you touching his head or ear, this is another possible symptom.

The concern here is that if two or more of these signs show up at the same time, you are likely to have a dog with ear problems. If this is the case, you need to treat this as quickly as possible. Ear problems in dogs, if left untreated, can cause irreversible hearing loss more than 80% of the time. How do you prevent or treat ear problems in dogs? Clean the dog's ears weekly with a veterinarian approved liquid solution if the veterinarian recommends one. If no physical signs are found, your pup may have an allergy, or a bacterial infection. Again, the vet can help you find this and treat it.

To prevent the recurrence of ear problems in your dog simply maintain a regular schedule with your veterinarian to look at your buddy, about once a month. If you notice reactions such as allergies or skin problems, remove the issue immediately after you find the cause by training the dog to stay away from the problem causing agent. Yes, I know this is hard, but it is better than either getting rid of the chair or cutting down a row of poison ivy. If you have a flea or ear mite problem, you will need to wash everything your pup's head has touched; the bedding, favorite pillow, stuffed toys, and yes the clothes because this is the only way to remove these critters outside of medication. While you're at it, give the pup a bath and clean the ears. Cotton swabs work very well on dogs; just be sure to have someone hold him as you do this.