Pet Health       

Does your pet suffer from ear discomfort or reoccurring infections? Find out what you can do to help maintain your pets ear health.

If you are like me and millions of other pet owners you want to make sure your pet is safe and healthy. One of the things we generally don’t think about with our pets is their ears. The most common health related issues among dogs and cats are their ears. If you were to ask your vet what they treat most often at their clinic, they would probably answer you the ears. When you have a dog or cat it can be difficult to see the true infection. In fact most of the infected ears are deep in the inner ear canal. This doesn’t mean you should give up in checking their ear from issues though. A good policy when you own a dog is to check their body, ears, teeth, feet, and other sensitive locations after letting them play outside. They can get into danger when you aren’t looking or carry in some travelers. The ear infections usually start as a result of bacteria working its way into the ear canal.

If you are up on pet hygiene you may be able to see these little parasites before they decide to take up residence in the inner ear. Parasites, especially bacteria are very small. It is best to use a magnifying glass, and you may still miss them. Another leading cause of bacteria in the ear is water.

When you wash your pet either once a month or when they need it, you should take extra care not to get water in the ears. You can clean the ears out with a wash cloth to the exposed part, working at getting the dirt out. This is the safest and gentlest method. Some outer ear issues you could see with your pet are burst blood vessels or blood clots. This is usually seen with itchy ears, smelly, reddened, bloody, or crusty. They may also be inflamed. These are of course on the external ear. The smell, itch, or blood could also be an infection deep in the ear. It is best to clean out the ear to determine the origin. If it is from within the ear you should seek a vet right away.

They will offer three methods of fixing the issue. The first is a topical cream or ointment that is used on the outside of the ear. It is an antibiotic to kill the bacteria before it gets deeper in the ear. Sometimes the antibiotic is not too successful, so vets may offer an oral antibiotic. Combined with the topical cream this can be very successful in helping the ear heal. Flushing the ear with water at a high pressure can work. The pressure is not high enough to hurt the ear, but to flush out puss and other build up. Humans have a similar procedure for removing ear wax. It is best that flushing the ear be done by a professional. Most pets need to be sedated in order to lie still for the procedure.

The last method of helping your pet is surgery. If the other options have not worked or your pet has seen a great deal of infections in their lives there could be an underlying cause that you don’t realize. Some dog or cat ears can grow with a defect or just have a small inner ear. This can cause a build up of debris like bacteria. The scar tissue which can result from multiple ear infections can also trap the bacteria to the point of causing severe pain for your pet. When this happens surgery to remove the scar tissue or to correct the imperfection in the ear canal is suggested. Your vet should explain the entire procedure to you and the benefits you pet can gain. With most dogs or cats after the surgery and healing process you can see a significant change. First your dog or cat will no longer be in pain. They will be happier after the surgery. They may also have an improvement regarding their hearing. They may answer you more often or come when you call at a softer voice. Also, you will be protecting your pet from future dog Illness, dog sickness and your cat too.

Keep cat sickness, cat disease to a minimum. When your dog or cat has the surgery it is imperative that you administer all of the antibiotics the vet will place them on before and after the surgery. This will help keep any infection as a result of the surgery down, and of course kill any bacteria that may hinder the healing process.

For more information on cats see cat tree. For more information on dogs see puppy German Shepherd

 Cleaning Your Dog’s Ears

Avoid dog ear infections by practicing preventive care. That means regularly examine and clean your dog’s ears. Cleaning your dog’s ears is important for good grooming and overall health.

  Grooming Your Dog

You can use a child’s toothbrush, or a finger toothbrush designed for use on pet’s teeth. Be sure to only use toothpaste labeled for use on pets; human toothpaste can be toxic to your dog. In addition to brushing, give your dog rawhide … Ears and nails can be checked weekly and monthly, respectively. Once each week, look inside your dog’s ears. If you see coffee-ground-like specks, your dog may have ear mites. 

Your Pet’s Golden Years

Brushing your pet’s teeth. Dental disease can cause lots of problems. Maintaining regular grooming including nail trims and plucking ear hairs. Providing mental and physical exercise. Walking and games are a great help. 

Shar Pei Ears: Cleaning and Treatment

It is not recommended to use cotton swabs for cleaning your pet’s ears. Improper use of the cotton swab could result in swelling, pain, and possible trauma to the ear canal. Hydrogen peroxide also should never be used in your dog’s ears.

Cutting Pet Care Costs

Check your pet’s ears and eyes for signs of redness or discharge. Make note of any changes in her eating or drinking habits. If something seems off, call your vet right away. - Learn how to clean your pet’s ears, especially if your dog has floppy ears.

Shitzu Ear Problem 

My dog suffers with ear problems, Ive taken her to 2 different vets and they all say the same thing.

Technorati Tags: ear infections, ear wax, infected ears, inner ear, inner ear canal, itchy ears, pet hygiene

Tags: ear infections, ear wax, infected ears, inner ear, inner ear canal, itchy ears, pet hygiene

            Ear Care for Labradors

Labradors are prone to ear infection. Keep their ears healthy by regular and proper cleaning.

Dog breeds such as Labradors and Basset Hounds are prone to ear problems because of their long, floppy ears. Air is trapped inside when the ears fold and covers the ear canal. Organisms causing various ear problems grow best in this warm moist ear canal.

Regular check up and cleaning of ears is important for Labradors. Some dog owners check their dog’s ears only when they see their dog shaking and scratching his ears. Do not wait for this to happen. Checking your ear’s pet at least once a week helps prevent various ear problems.

Before cleaning, check first your dog’s ears for any sign of ear infection. Otitis externa, an infection that occurs when water is trapped in the ear canal, causes painful sensitivity, redness and swelling. Presence of ear mites can also be seen in ear wax. Ear mites are very contagious that is why it is important to treat the infestation. Treatment with the use of insecticides usually lasts for approximately three weeks and repeat application may be necessary. Ear canker, an infection causing a dark-colored discharge and foul odor is another problem affecting dogs. It is a result of accumulated ear wax and lack of air circulation. Also, check your dog’s ears for excessive matting of hair in the external ear, foreign material, retention of dirt, weeds and other organic matter. Some of these things can work their way down to your dog’s ear canal causing serious problems.

Some vets suggest regular use of ear wash. But as a substitute, some use mineral oil, hydrogen peroxide or mixture of equal parts of vinegar and water or vinegar and alcohol. But these mixtures should not be used to dogs with open sores as this cause burning sensation. Some veterinarians are also discouraging the use of hydrogen peroxide and alcohol as ear washes for dogs.

For safety, it is best to use mineral oil in cleaning your dog’s ears. Using a cotton ball dampened with cleaning solution or mineral oil, remove the dirt in the outer area first. To clean the inner ear, gently pour enough cleaning solution into the dog’s ear to fill the canal. Gently massage the ear for about 20 seconds to help loosen dirt and wax. Wipe the dirt and excess fluid from the inner ear using cotton balls. Remember not to poke or probe the internal ear canal to prevent more serious problem.

Labradors are fun and multi-talented dogs. Do not let the ears ruin the positive characteristics of Labs.

Richard Cussons writes articles about Labradors and other dog breeds. Learn more about Labrador dog training at labradorsavvy.com.

Labrador dog training
Labrador dog training

Pit Bull Terrier Health Care for Dog Ears

Your vet may prescribe an ear wash specifically for your Pit Bull, especially if he has had problems with his ears in the past. You should start cleaning his ears at the lobe, with a wet cotton ball, or gauze. 

Tips for Cleaning Your Dog’s Ears

Do you know how to properly clean your dog’s ears? Here are some very helpful hints on the importance of cleaning your dog’s ears. 

  Polish Lowland Sheepdog  

Her ears should be checked once a week and be kept clean. If you have her professionally groomed, make sure ear cleaning and inspection is part of the package. No water or excess fluid should get in the dogs ears.    

 Standard Poodles »  Cleaning the Ears

You’ll find the actual recipe in her article “Ear Care : Caring for your Poodle’s Ears“. Also, you can order the ear        cleaning powder and the hemostats at The Poodle Supply Shop www.poodlesupply.com. 

  Why Cleaning Your Dog’s Ears Is Important

Dog owners who notice head shaking, ear scratching, or tilted head in their pet may be seeing symptoms of ear infection which needs prompt treatment for cure.  

5 Tips To Successfully Groom Your Dog’s Ears

  Next, you’ll need to utilize a specialized dog ear cleaning wash. These specialized washes are created to clear out debris, prevent infections, and leave your dog’s ears with a fresh clean scent. 

Technorati Tags: dog's ear, dogs ears, ear canal, Ear canker, ear mites

Tags: dog's ear, dogs ears, ear canal, Ear canker, ear mites