Dog Ear Infection , Causes , And 10 Home Remedies

Dog ear infection, Causes, and Home remedies

Dog ear infection, also known as otitis externa,  are among the common dog health issues. And because they are likely to come back from time to time, they are hard to deal with. Mostly, they recur due to infective treatment methods. Antibiotics are known to help, but their good results will only last for a short time. In the end, they cause imbalance and more ear infections.

The ear infections can be uncomfortable particularly if they have already festered. You will know that your dog is suffering after he starts rubbing or shaking the ears, mostly whining, whenever he does that because the ear infections hurt. A bad smell will accompany the infections, especially those based on yeast.

Thankfully, regardless of the cause of ear infections, you will always get a simple natural remedy. If an ear infection affected your kid, you would do anything possible to get the cure. That should also happen with your pet. If the infection is very bad, you will need the services of a vet.

Main causes of dog-ear infections 

The ear infections result from four main causes. Read below:

1 –  Food Sensitivity 

Any recurring gut, skin or ear condition in your dog has its root cause. If you do not address the root cause, you will end up treating the symptoms solely from time to time.

For example, your dog is a carnivore and does not have the enzymes, microbiota or machine for plant material, especially wheat gluten protein. Unfortunately, wheat makes roughly 50 percent of pet diets and they have been eating it for a long time.

Whenever your dog eats wheat, it will not break it down completely. Some of it will hang around its gut and cause numerous problems – problems that arouse the immune system. The result is usually inflammation, which can materialize in the gut, on the skin, eyes or ears.

If the inflammations manifest in the ear, your dog’s ear canal and the flap will swell, heat up and turn red because the immune debris and blood will be rushing to the area. That will irritate the dog and cause it to shake the head. Dark brown wax, gunk that comes out of the body, builds up.

Ear infections resulting from food sensitivity are the most common. Wheat is a common ingredient in pet food, treats, milk bones, dental sticks, and crusts of bread. To avoid the issues, reduce the wheat or cut it out.

2 – Bacteria 

Any dog is at risk of getting ear infections. The breeds with unusual fluffy ears are many. Some have earflaps hanging down and therefore prevent moisture from escaping after a swimming session. I know that there are various causes of bacterial infections in dog-ears, but the average meat-fed dogs are more likely to get bacterial infections.

Several environmental factors contribute to the infections, but bacterial infections are unlikely to affect the dogs fed with fresh. Vigorous head rubbing and shaking that result from food sensitivity might damage the swollen capillaries in the ears. After that, the bacteria can have better access to the blood. If your dog has been developing bacterial infections from time to time, you will need antibiotics, but the best thing to do is prevent the bacteria from getting in.

Immediately the shaking or rubbing starts, deal with the potential allergen – anything that can inflame the dog’s immune system – such as diet issues, worm or fleas. Couple the approach with daily ear cleaning.

3 – Yeast 

The ears of your dog are nice and warm. Yeast will only require a little moisture from the licked paws or innocent wetting moments to start developing. The yeast will be developed after you start smelling it – the horrible smell. Like bacterial infections, the yeast infections arise due to diet issues and you are unlikely to see them in the properly fed dogs.

Yeast love carbs due to the sugar they produce. Sugar/carbs in the diet of your dogs are cereal, dental sticks but potatoes, fruit, rice, and sweeter vegetables like carrots. A dog can get yeast infections in some damp spots.

4 – Mites 

Ear infections associated with dust mites occur due to lower immunity. Dust mites that affect dog-ears are everywhere and eat the dead skin. Robust body chemistry and immunity will definitely keep them in check. In case of an outbreak, natural home remedies will work. The mites are more likely to affect the very old and young dogs because their immune systems are weak. The same is true for wheat fed dogs.

Read Also, Dust Mite Allergies: Causes, Symptoms, Diagnosis, and Treatment

10 Natural home remedies for ear infections

You might need to try some of the following remedies:

1. Apple Cider Vinegar

Apple Cider Vinegar contains acetic acid that will help remove debris and dirt from the ears of your pet. Most importantly, it will kill the bacteria or yeast.

If the dog ears are red and sore, do not use vinegar because it will be painful for your dog or pet.

Use any of the other remedies. Vinegar can kill bacteria, viruses, and fungi and it can restore proper pH balance the ear canal.

Put the apple cider vinegar in equal parts of distilled water and squirt a small amount on the ear. You can also soak a piece of cotton in the solution and use it to clean the earflaps gently.

Treat both ears (even if only one ear seems infected) twice daily for two weeks.

Read Also, Apple Cider Vinegar, One Prescription Treats Many Skin Infections

2. Mullein 

The plant, Mullein, has strong antibacterial properties and it will work perfectly for bacterial ear infections. Seemingly, buying herbs and making recipes is daunting, but the process is easy. Some of your local health stores will provide them plenty.

To use the mullein, pack the flowers or leaves in a large glass jar and add olive oil. For better results, add antibacterial garlic cloves – freshly chopped. Leave the mixture for around two weeks and strain it. Warm and apply it to the ear canal – use a drop or a cotton ball.

3. Oregano Oil 

Oregano oil is another natural remedy for a dog ear infection with effective antibiotic properties. Before applying the oregano oil on the ears of your dog, you have to dilute it to prevent irritations.

Add a drop of the oregano oil to an oz of aloe vera juice. Use a piece of cotton ball to or a dropper to drop a little amount of solution to the ears.

4. Calendula 

Calendula is another herb with great healing abilities. It is among the effective herbs you can use to treat external ear and skin problems. You can use it externally or internally. The strong antifungal herb will provide pain relief too. You can buy it in the form of infused oil.

To make a homemade remedy, put calendar flowers in a large glass jar and cover them with olive oil. Add chopped garlic and ensure that you have covered the calendula flowers completely. Leave the mixture for a few days. Strain and use a dropper to apply a few drops of the oil to the ear canal. Use a cotton ball to apply it to the earflap. You can store it for up to six months.

5. Coconut Oil 

Coconut oil provides both antifungal and antibacterial properties. To use coconut oil, pour two tablespoons of the coconut oil in a saucepan. Heat it lightly and add fresh garlic cloves to add the antibacterial power. Simmer until the coconut oil changes to liquid oil. Allow it to cool slightly and use a dropper to apply it to the affected areas. Use a cotton ball to apply it to the earflaps.

6. Macerated Garlic 

For your dog to benefit from macerated garlic, you will have to steep two fresh garlic cloves in some olive oil. Allow it to sit for around 2 weeks and strain the mixture. Use a dropper to pour two drops in the ear canal and store any extra amount in a small translucent bottle. Use the dog ear yeast infection home remedy for two weeks.

7. Hydrogen Peroxide 

Apple cider vinegar and hydrogen peroxide are effective home remedies for dog-ear infections. For good results, combine equal amounts of hydrogen peroxide and ACV and pour it into the ear canals of your dog. Rub any remaining amount on the earlobes and the surrounding areas to kill the bacteria and fleas. You can use a cotton ball to apply the dog ear infection home remedy peroxide on the ear too.

8. Yellow Dock 

The yellow dock will kill mites and eliminate ear infection. To use it to boil two full tablespoons of the dry yellow dock in a cup of water. Allow it to cool and pour a few drops into the infected ear. Repeat that two times in a day for the infection to clear. Use this mixture on the ears, tail and the head to eliminate the mites.

9. Calendula 

Calendula offers potent antibacterial and anti-fungal properties and you can, therefore, use it to treat the dog-ear infection. To use it, add several teaspoons of a calendula tincture and sea salt into warm water. Use the mixture to massage the affected areas too and allow the dog to shake the head for better results.

10. Oregon Grape 

Oregon grape offers numerous health properties. The properties include antifungal, antibacterial and antimicrobial. Add several drops of Oregon grape tincture to 4 oz warm distilled water and pour a few drops to the ear canal. Use the remaining amount to massage the ears gently in a circular motion for good results.

Conclusion 

You will have to apply your dog ear infection solution of the second choice , 3 times each day for around 5-7 days.

after the infection goes, store some and use it to clean the ears of your dog’s ears once in a week to prevent the occurrence of future infections. If the infections are recurring, you should change the diet.