Ушными болезнями страдают не только люди, но и братья наши меньшие, причем некоторые недуги у человека и собаки очень похожи по этиологии и симптоматике, например отит. Опасность для питомца представляют вирусы и бактерии, клещи и грибки. Проблемы со слухом могут возникнуть из-за травмы или попадания инородного тела в слуховой проход. Какие болезни ушей у собак выделяют ветеринары и что делать, если у любимца гниют и болят уши?

Как устроено собачье ухо?

Своей ловкостью, выносливостью собаки во многом обязаны своей анатомии, например строению позвоночника. Строение слухового аппарата собаки во многом похоже на его анатомию у человека. Как и у людей, у собак выделяют три отдела:

• наружное ухо;
• среднее;
• внутреннее.

Наружное ухо – это внешняя часть органа, которая по размерам и форме различается у представителей разных пород. Это сама ушная раковина, которая может быть стоячей, висячей, большой или маленькой.

Далее расположено среднее ухо. Основная роль этой части заключается в проведении звука и передаче его по слуховому нерву в продолговатый мозг. Звуковые волны по слуховой трубе попадают к слуховым косточкам – молоточку, стремечку и наковальне – и приводят их в движение, они же, в свою очередь, заставляют колебаться барабанную перепонку.

Во внутреннем ухе расположены слуховые рецепторы, по которым сигнал передается в мозг и распознается как звук определенной частоты. В височной кости расположен костный лабиринт, а в нем – перепончатый, который разделен на отсеки мембранами и заполнен эндолимфой. Кроме слухового аппарата, во внутреннем ухе располагается вестибулярный аппарат.

Распространенные ушные патологии у собак

Строение уха собаки обуславливает очень острый слух, намного лучше, чем у человека. Однако в такой анатомии есть свои недостатки. Например, удлиненный слуховой проход и большие ушные раковины затрудняют вентиляцию.

Если внутрь ушной раковины попадает жидкость, грязь, инфекционные агенты, то очень быстро развивается воспаление. В зоне риска животные с длинными, висячими ушами, например лабрадоры.

Почему же у собаки болит ухо? Отит у собак является наиболее распространенным заболеванием. Он бывает вирусным, бактериальным, грибковым. Животные, регулярно гуляющие на улице, подвергаются опасности заражения ушным клещом, который вызывает отодектоз. Нередко случаются травмы, особенно у активных собак.

Ушная чесотка, или отодектоз

Отодектоз – это заболевание, вызываемое клещами Otodectes cynotis. Паразиты селятся в ушной раковине собаки, питаются частичками кожи и кровью, вызывая гнойное воспаление. Заразиться клещом можно от другого больного животного, не обязательно собаки, переносчиками являются кошки, хорьки, лисицы, или во время контакта с местом, где до этого находился зараженный зверь. Человек болеет отодектозом очень редко.

Симптомы заболевания

Как понять, что питомец подхватил ушного клеща? В первую очередь, настораживает необычное поведение пса. Животное трясет головой, как будто пытается что-то вытряхнуть из ушей, постоянно чешет их, трется головой о мебель, деревья. На расчесанной ушной раковине появляются незаживающие воспаленные ранки.

Активно размножаясь, клещ перемещается глубже в слуховой проход. Гной, сера смешиваются с отходами жизнедеятельности паразита. В ушах образуются мокнущие язвы, которые покрываются светло-коричневой коркой. Ухо болит и гноится, из него течет экссудат, появляется черный налет. Внешние симптомы отодектоза можно посмотреть на фото ниже.

Если отодектоз не лечить, итогом может стать прободение барабанной перепонки и воспаление среднего и внутреннего уха. Собака становится вялой, теряет аппетит. Появляется жар, из ушного прохода вытекает гнойное содержимое. Состояние сопровождается судорогами, конвульсиями и может привести к летальному исходу.

Лечение и профилактика

Диагностика основана на исследовании соскоба с поверхности ушной раковины. Хозяин может заподозрить заражение клещом, но назначает лечение ветеринарный врач.

Основой терапии являются противопаразитные препараты: «Отокан», «Анандин», «Барс», «Ципам». Форма выпуска – капли. Перед тем как закапывать капли, ушной проход аккуратно очищают от засохших корочек с помощью ватного тампона, смоченного в перекиси водорода. Предварительно корочки желательно размягчить, закапав, например, простерилизованное растительное масло и помассировав ушко. Затем в слуховой проход капают несколько капель препарата согласно инструкции и вновь массируют ухо для лучшего распределения лекарства.

Когда болезнь достигла запущенной стадии, капли уже не помогут, и врач назначает инъекции более сильного медикамента «Дектомакс». Дополнительно прописывают антигистаминные препараты, которые снимают отечность, нейтрализуют зуд, успокаивают животное.

Основными методами профилактики является регулярный осмотр собаки после прогулок, ограничение контактов с другими животными. При подозрении на заражение клещом следует незамедлительно обратиться к врачу.

Отит: разновидности, признаки и терапия

Отит – это общее название воспалительных ушных заболеваний. Классификация болезни основывается на разных факторах: в зависимости от места воспалительного процесса, течения патологии, причины, спровоцировавшей ее появление. Отитом болеют не только животные, но и люди, особенно маленькие дети. Что делать, если у питомца воспалилось ухо?

Острый и хронический

По течению болезни выделяют две формы отита:

• острый;
• хронический.

Острый отит характеризуется стремительным развитием. У собаки возникает сильная боль в ухе, она начинает скулить, ведет себя беспокойно или, наоборот, вяло, отказывается от пищи. Поднимается температура, резко снижается слух. После разрыва барабанной перепонки боль снижается, из уха сочится гной, но слух при этом не восстанавливается.

Хронический отит имеет смазанную симптоматику. У животного постепенно падает острота слуха, периодически возникают ноющие головные боли. Хозяева не всегда могут догадаться, что их питомец страдает от воспаления.

Вирусный, грибковый, бактериальный

Чаще всего воспаление слухового аппарата вызывают различные инфекционные агенты – бактерии и вирусы. Они попадают туда из носоглотки, и чаще всего заболевание является вторичным по отношению к гриппу или ОРВИ. Способствует развитию заболевания переохлаждение, длительное пребывание в холодной воде. Чаще всего возбудителем отита являются:

• стафилококки;
• пневмококки;
• клебсиелла;
• синегнойная палочка;
• ацинетобактер;
• вирус гриппа;
• респираторные вирусы.

Причиной отита может стать и грибок, который размножается в условиях высокой влажности. В зоне риска находятся собаки с длинными ушами, которые много времени проводят в воде, из-за чего в ушной раковине создается влажная, благоприятная для размножения грибка среда. Например, отиту подвержены уши лабрадора, ведь эта собака очень любит активные водные процедуры.

Бактериальный отит часто сопровождается гнойными выделениями. Собаку мучают сильные боли в ухе, головные боли. В зависимости от возбудителя назначается лечение противовирусными препаратами или антибиотиками.

Отит аллергической этиологии

Может ли аллергия спровоцировать воспалительные процессы в ухе? Да, отит может иметь аллергическую природу. В этом случае должен быть выявлен и устранен возбудитель аллергии, а затем уже назначено лечение аллергической формы отита антигистаминными препаратами.

Причиной аллергии может оказаться что угодно – пыльца растений, химические средства, пища, шампуни. Определить провоцирующий фактор может только ветеринар. Аллергический отит сопровождается сильным зудом, животное до крови расчесывает ушную раковину, которая отекает, краснеет, покрывается кровоточащими ранками, через которые проникают болезнетворные бактерии. Вторичную инфекцию, вызванную бактериями, устраняют, применяя антибиотики.

Веррукозный (бородавочный) отит

Отдельно ветеринары выделяют веррукозную форму отита. Особенность данной патологии в том, что его причиной становится разрастание бородавок и наростов в наружном и затем среднем ухе.

Поначалу бородавки маленькие и не мешают питомцу, хозяин, даже если и замечает их, не придает им значения. Однако если вовремя не принять меры, наросты увеличиваются и перекрывают слуховой проход. Гигиена затрудняется, внутри скапливается сера, влажная теплая среда благоприятствует размножению болезнетворных микроорганизмов, что приводит к воспалительным процессам.

Виды по месту воспаления: наружный, средний, внутренний (лабиринтит)

Еще одно основание для классификации отита – это место локализации воспаления. Различают три вида:

1. Наружный. Воспалительный процесс затрагивает только ушную раковину и часть слухового прохода, которая как будто заживо гниет. Гнойники и язвы видны при осмотре. Такую форму лечить легче остальных, поскольку внешнюю часть слухового прохода собаки можно быстро обработать и не допустить распространения инфекции внутрь. Наружный отит нередко бывает следствием травм, заражения паразитами, воздействия аллергена.
2. Средний. Затрагивает барабанную перепонку и евстахиеву трубу. Часто является вторичным и развивается вследствие проникновения вирусов и бактерий из носоглотки. Сопровождается сильными болями, обильными гнойными выделениями, снижением слуха.
3. Внутренний, или лабиринтит. Воспаление внутреннего уха. Возникает из-за запущенного отита, когда хозяева игнорируют состояние здоровья питомца, проводят лечение в домашних условиях самостоятельно, без консультации ветеринара, отказываются давать антибиотики. Чреват полной потерей слуха, распространением воспаления на оболочки головного мозга и, как следствие, летальным исходом.

Травмы ушей

Травмам ушей особенно подвержены активные, драчливые собаки бойцовых пород, которые не упускают возможности помериться силами с другими псами. Для предотвращения травм уши им купируют, но такая практика распространяется не на все породы, а в некоторых странах и вовсе запрещена. Травмы могут просто задевать ушную раковину, в таком случае они доставляют лишь дискомфорт, но не влияют на слух, или травмировать барабанную перепонку, а это уже сказывается на остроте слуха.

Если ссадину, укус или рваную рану вовремя не обработать, может возникнуть заражение и, как следствие, отит. Кроме того, питомца надо проверить на бешенство, особенно если он стал объектом нападения другой собаки.

Инородное тело ухе

Внутрь ушной раковины животного могут попасть веточки, травинки, камешки, песок и другие предметы. Иногда инородное тело в ухе у собаки может оказаться благодаря детям, которые, играя с животным, засовывают туда мелкие игрушки.

Инородное тело может разорвать барабанную перепонку, стать причиной развития воспалительного процесса. Именно поэтому после каждой прогулки хозяину следует внимательно осматривать уши и морду своего любимца. Также необходимо объяснять детям, чего не следует делать, играя с животным, и не оставлять несмышленых малышей наедине даже с очень добрым псом для безопасности ребенка и питомца.

Экзема ушной раковины

Экзема – это острое или хроническое неинфекционное воспалительное заболевание кожных покровов. Чаще всего экзема ушей возникает из-за воздействия различных раздражителей: шампуня, воды, химических веществ, механических раздражителей.

Если кожа на ухе покраснела, затем начала шелушится, ушная раковина распухла, скорее всего, это симптомы экземы. Животное испытывает сильный зуд, постоянно трясет головой, расчесывает уши. Затем на кожных покровах покрываются мелкие наполненные жидкостью пузырьки. Они лопаются, из них вытекает светло-коричневый экссудат. Серозное содержимое может заполнять слуховой проход, вызывая проблемы со слухом.

Профилактика ушных болезней у собак

Чтобы предотвратить появление ушных болезней у собак, достаточно соблюдать несколько простых правил:

• После каждой прогулки тщательно осматривать питомца. Если вовремя заметить клеща, инородное тело в слуховом проходе, ссадину или рваную рану, то можно сразу же принять меры для предотвращения воспаления.
• Не пренебрегать гигиеной. Уши надо регулярно очищать ватным тампоном, при попадании воды промокнуть их сухой тканью. Грязные уши – прекрасная среда для размножения бактерий.
• Бактериальные и вирусные болезни нельзя пускать на самотек. Инфекция, «поселившаяся» в горле, легко проникнет в среднее ухо и вызовет отит.

При появлении первых признаков болезни уха собаку следует немедленно отвести к ветеринару. Самолечение в лучшем случае никак не повлияет на течение патологии, а в худшем может навредить: время будет упущено, и слух животного может никогда не восстановиться. Хозяева должны помнить, что они несут ответственность за здоровье и жизнь своего питомца.

Поделитесь с друьями!

90000 Learn About It Before Things Get Worse 90001 90002 Deciding to get a pet dog can be one of the most rewarding decisions you will ever make in life. Unfortunately, everything is not always about warm affectionate hugs or fun plays. Your four-legged best friend might get sick at times. Most likely, there will be days when you will have to deal with one of the most common illnesses canines suffer from: ear infection in dogs. 90003 90002 It will be painful seeing your pet hurting and surely you would want to help him as much as you can, which is why this guide was put together.Understanding the causes and symptoms of this illness as well as the treatments involved will go a long way to helping your dog. 90003 90002 90007 90007 90003 90002 More important, you will be able to prevent this from happening again or at all. 90003 90012 Ear infection in dogs: causes 90013 90002 There are various reasons why dogs get infected ears and it is important to be aware of these in order to facilitate the right treatment procedure. Here is a rundown of the commonly diagnosed causes: 90003 90016 Bacteria and yeast 90017 90002 Normally, dogs ‘ears have natural defenses for harmful microorganisms.A slight change or imbalance within the ear environment however will lead to the exponential growth of numerous bacteria, which cause infections. The yeast 90019 Malassezia Pachydermatis 90020 is also a common pathogen causing 90019 otitis externa 90020 (inflammation of the ear canal and outer ear) and 90019 canine seborrhoeic dermatitis 90020 (scaly lesions in and around the ears). The imbalance can be brought on by several factors including increased moisture in the ears from grooming or bathing.90003 90016 Ear mites 90017 90002 There are various parasites that can breed inside your dog’s ears, 90019 otodectes cynotis 90020 being the most common. Barely detectable by the naked eye, these are eight-legged parasites that find the earwax and oils in dogs ‘ears very appetizing. Often, they are passed from parents to their puppies, while adult dogs may get them when they come in contact with other dogs in your neighborhood that have them. 90003 90002 Usually these mites only cause a mild infection that can be treated easily.The complication arises when dogs have a hypersensitivity to ear mites, meaning they find the parasitic bites unbearably itchy. This then leads to excessive scratching of the ears, which can result to wounds, rupturing of blood vessels, and damage to the ear canal and ear drums. If you fear that your dog is infested with ear mites, learn how to take care of them in this article about ear mites in dogs. 90003 90016 Environmental and food allergies 90017 90002 Veterinarians have found that ear infections are often the first signs of allergies in dogs.What causes the allergies widely vary — from the food they eat to things in the air absorbed through inhalation or skin contact. Whatever the case, when a dog suffers from an allergic reaction, this changes the environment in their ears. 90003 90002 90039 90039 90003 90002 As discussed above, imbalance in that part of their bodies can lead to bacteria and yeast infection. In this case, not only should the infection be treated but the allergy as well to avoid recurrence. 90003 90016 Foreign body or trauma 90017 90002 It can be problematic when a foreign object enters your dog’s ears because of how canines ‘ear canals are structured — from the ear opening it goes downward then horizontally.Any debris that accidentally gets caught will not come out easily. The discomfort will lead to excessive scratching and trauma if not remedied right away. And speaking of trauma, watch out for rough plays with your dog because any hard bumps can lead to serious problems. 90003 90002 Walking your dog in the woods, playing with them at the park or taking them for a swim can also expose them to harmful foreign bodies entering their ears. Be extra careful with plant awns and tiny seeds that stick to fur.Be sure to remove them when grooming your pet so they do not lead to ear infections. 90003 90016 Hereditary illness 90017 90002 Many dog ​​breeds are predisposed to certain diseases. West Highland white terriers and Shar Peis for example have an increased risk of 90019 primary seborrhea 90020 (formation of clumpy and waxy substance in the ears) due to a genetic abnormality. 90003 90002 Shetland Sheepdogs and Collies are prone to contracting 90019 dermatomyositis 90020 (inflammation of skin, muscles and blood vessels).Dogs with non-erect ears or those that have excessive hair growth in their ears are also at risk. It is important that you know the health history of your pets and their parents to be prepared for any hereditary ear diseases. 90003 90016 Hypothyroidism 90017 90002 This is a condition wherein a dog’s thyroid gland is incapable of producing enough thyroxine hormone, which negatively affects your pet’s metabolism and will lead to a host of symptoms including ear infection. Although this illness affects all breeds, studies have found that it is more common in golden retrievers, cocker spaniels, Irish setters, Doberman pinchers, boxers and dachshunds with ages ranging from 4 to 10 years.Serious complications include the formation of tumors. 90003 90016 Tumors 90017 90002 According to a paper published by the Ryan Veterinary Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, 90019 ceruminous gland adenocarcinomas 90020 or malignant tumors can start in a dog’s external ear canal and will aggressively invade surrounding parts including the bones of the skull. Canines with a history of chronic otitis as well as middle-aged and older dogs are especially susceptible to developing these tumors.90003 90016 Immune system disorders 90017 90002 An auto-immune disease can weaken blood vessels on a canine’s pinna. Slight scratching can lead to rupturing of the blood vessels, which then leads to swelling, irritation and eventually infection. It is also important to be aware that sometimes, immune system imbalance occurs as a reaction to getting vaccines. 90003 90012 Symptoms of dog ear infections 90013 90002 Detecting early that your dog is ill is key to providing timely treatment and preventing more serious complications.90003 90002 Here are commonly observed 90079 dog ear infection symptoms 90080 to watch out for: 90003 90082 90083 Excessive scratching 90084 90083 Rubbing the ears on walls or furniture, might be accompanied by painful whining noises 90084 90083 Too much shaking of the head 90084 90083 Unpleasant odor coming out of the ears 90084 90083 Bumps in the ear canal 90084 90083 Buildup of ear wax and other greasy or liquid substance 90084 90083 Ear discharge (often brown, white, yellow or even bloody) 90084 90083 Loss of hair in and around the ears 90084 90083 Loss of hearing 90084 90083 Balancing problems 90084 90083 Walking in circles 90084 90083 Inflammation or redness 90084 90083 Your dog exhibits a reaction of pain whenever you touch his ears 90084 90083 Behavioral signs such as depression and irritability 90084 90083 Formation of crusts and scab 90084 90083 Strange eye movements 90084 90115 90002 A yeast infection is particularly apparent when you get a whiff of mol dy bread or perhaps the smell of cheese popcorn from your dog.Not only will the smell strongly come out of the ears, your pet’s paws will exhibit the bad odor as well because he has probably been scratching non-stop. 90003 90002 90119 90119 90003 90002 To learn more about the process, its best that you read our article on how to clean dog’s ears. 90003 90002 In the case of hypothyroidism, you will also notice hair loss on other parts of the body such as on the rear legs. The fur will become dull looking and thin; black patches may also appear. And since hypothyroidism affects the metabolism, weight issues will arise along with muscle loss, sluggishness and a reduced heart rate.90003 90002 To rule out ear canal tumors, check for the appearance of firm nodules or plaques. These can either be white, pink or purple in color and can be ulcerated, which means there will be bleeding and ear discharge. If the tumor has invaded nearby structures, your dog might exhibit difficulty blinking or suddenly falling to his side. 90003 90012 Diagnosis on ear problems 90013 90002 To make sure that your pet gets the right treatment, it is important to seek professional assistance right away.It is advisable not to resort to self diagnosis because the exhibited symptoms can mean anything. Itchiness and ear discharge, for example, can mean a yeast infection or an ear mites problem. For accurate assistance, scheduling a consultation with a trusted veterinarian is the right course of action. 90003 90002 Most ear infections are non-life threatening and can be successfully treated or managed. The success of the treatment is of course highly dependent on the early detection of the infection.It is also important that any underlying causes be determined and addressed. Otherwise, ear infections will keep cropping up and as mentioned above, chronic otitis can lead to malignant tumors. 90003 90002 90135 90135 90003 90002 It is understandable for pet owners to worry if a visit to the animal doctor is required. To lessen your anxiety, know what to expect. Anticipate that your vet will procure a sample from the infected ear and several examination procedures might follow. To determine if the problem is bacteria, yeast or other microorganisms, the sample will be examined under a microscope.Also expect a complete physical examination to be done because often, an ear infection is a complication from an underlying illness. 90003 90002 Urinalysis and even an electrolyte panel may be required to come up with a thorough diagnosis. Your dog’s blood need to be checked as well and in line with this, procedures for determining the complete blood count and chemical blood profile will be called for. 90003 90002 If allergies seem to be causing the infection, expect that food trials will be suggested.Your dog might also have to undergo trials with flea medication to make sure fleas are not the root cause. Skin tests such as skin scraping and allergy-related blood tests will most likely be needed as well. The vet might even ask for fungal cultures to check for ringworms and other fungal infections. 90003 90002 If your vet suspects a tumor, diagnosis will require a biopsy. This can be done through deep otoscopic examination or surgery. In any case, your dog will have to undergo sedation. There are times when veterinarians would suggest further tests including CT or MRI imaging to determine the total extent of any spotted tumor.If indeed a malignant tumor is confirmed, further x-rays or the lymph node aspirate procedure will be performed to check if the cancer has metastasized. 90003 90012 Treatments & prevention 90013 90002 Treatment can be done in a two-pronged approach — couple veterinary procedures and medications with the use of 90079 home remedies 90080. But once again, it needs to be stressed that it is best to administer treatment only after a thorough consultation with a reliable vet. And, of course, the kind of treatment will depend entirely on what’s causing the infection.You can even take care of it at home, depending on the issue, by referring to our article on homemade dog ear cleaners. 90003 90002 90153 90153 90003 90002 90079 Bacteria and yeast infection 90080 — the dog’s ears need to be cleaned and dried regularly to inhibit the growth of harmful microorganisms. For infections located on the outer ear canal, apply any topical cream or antifungal ointment (usually 90019 ketoconazole 90020 and 90019 miconazole 90020) prescribed by the vet. If the problem is in the middle ear, tablets and injections may be required.90003 90002 90079 Ear mites 90080 — the right parasiticides will be prescribed by your vet and you will be given the instruction to use these continuously in 7-10 days to fully get rid of the mites and their eggs. Antibiotic and anti-inflammatory drugs may also be needed. If there is already buildup of debris or ear discharge, careful cleaning is in order. Just like when cleaning a yeast-infected ear, cleansers and dryers can be of help. If your dog is particularly averse to you poking down his ear, sedating him for the process is a viable option.90003 90002 Since mites are contagious, it is important to also treat any other pets in the house even if they are not showing any signs of infection yet. It is also advisable to conduct a general house cleaning as soon as possible to further eliminate the recurrence of ear mites-related problems. For further protection, apply flea treatments all over your dog’s body. 90003 90002 90079 Allergies 90080 — whether your pet is allergic to certain types of food like chicken or beef, or if he is allergic to environmental factors such as pollen and certain types of plants — the allergy has to be addressed before any improvement to the ear infection can be expected.Diet adjustments and anti-allergy medications often prove effective. 90003 90002 90079 Foreign body or trauma 90080 — look down into your dog’s ears and if you can see the offending object easily, quickly remove using tweezers. If it is an insect and still alive, prevent it from thrashing around and causing further pain by pouring a few drops of baby oil or vegetable oil into the ears before removing the insect. If the object is lodged deeply or you see that the ear trauma is worse than you thought, for example bleeding is evident, then call your vet because special removal procedures and tools will be required.Afterwards, antibiotic eardrops may be prescribed. 90003 90002 90079 Hereditary ear infections 90080 90079 and immune system disorders 90080 — discuss the lineage and health history of your dog with your veterinarian and come up with a tailored therapy and prevention plan. 90003 90002 90079 Hypothyroidism 90080 — oral drugs are usually prescribed to dogs suffering from this condition. Treatment is considered fairly easy and low cost as well. The only rub is that your pet has to take the medication, which is a manmade version of the hormone L-thyroxine, for the rest of his life.90003 90002 90079 Ear canal tumors 90080 — this is quite a serious health problem and would require a more aggressive treatment approach in the form of surgical excision. The complete removal of the ear canal may be needed depending on the extent of the tumor. Some vets would recommend radiation therapy in order to slow down the growth of the malignant cells and so as not to cause too much pain in your pet. If the biopsy shows evidence of metastasis or if the tumor is deemed aggressive, chemotherapy is highly recommended.90003 90002 Studies have shown that most canines can live for over 2 years after successful aggressive surgery, but if conservative surgery is performed, the prognosis is significantly reduced. The prognosis is worse if the cancer has spread to the inner ear, lymph nodes or lungs. 90003 90002 90195 90195 90003 90002 Other remedies that can be used to treat ear infections in any dog ​​are essential oils with antibacterial, antiseptic and antifungal properties. Examples of these include a blend of clove and rosemary essential oils.Lavender, tea tree and oregano essential oils can also be used to repel ear mites. Some holistic doctors like Stacey Hershman of Nyack, New York recommends the use of brewed green tea for cleaning dogs ‘ears because of the drink’s acidifying and antibacterial properties. Of course, use green tea when it has already cooled down to room temperature. If you’re interested in these more natural treatment options, consider taking a look at our article on homemade dog ear cleaners. 90003 90002 As you can see, there are various treatments for different types of ear infections.That is why it matters to consult a veterinarian first in order to take full advantage of the right therapeutic procedure or medication. 90003 90002 When it comes to prevention, one of the best ways to avert dog ear infections and other illnesses is regular cleaning and grooming. Your veterinarian can provide you special ear-drying sprays and cleansers for this. Alternatively, create a home-made solution of equal parts water and vinegar. 90003 90002 For dogs who love to go swimming, a solution containing 1 tablespoon rubbing alcohol, 1 cup water and 2 cups vinegar can be used.Put either of these solutions in a spray bottle and squirt into your dog’s outer ear canal. Use cotton balls to remove any dirt you see, but take care not to use cotton swabs for deep cleaning the ears as this will just push debris further in and may exacerbate the infection. 90003 90002 Another good way to prevent ear infections in your canine best friend is to make sure he does not suffer from allergies as much as possible. So watch what he eats, including the ingredients used in the dog food you regularly buy.Be careful not to take him to places where he might be allergic to certain plants. Frequently clean your house to get rid of allergens in the air. 90003 90002 Most important of all, take full advantage of annual checkups and laboratory tests. If you have pet insurance, this should be covered. By making sure you pay a visit to your vet on a regular basis, you will be able to track your pet’s health history. Not only that, any signs of illnesses can be detected sooner and treatment can be administered before things get worse.90003 90002 Ear infections, whether in puppies or adult dogs, are a pain to deal with for both the pet owner and the pet. But by understanding the causes and the symptoms along with what treatments work and what can be done to prevent major damage — you are one step ahead in keeping your dogs healthy. 90003.90000 Dog Ear Infections: Natural Remedies THAT WORK! 90001 90002 Does your dog have itchy, gunky, smelly or even painful ears that do not seem to get better? If you answered yes, you’re not alone. Dog ear infections are not fun for you or your dog. 90003 90002 Not to worry! Let’s review why your dog is battling these ear infections. Plus I’ll share natural solutions you can use that work. 90003 90002 Most dog owners get frustrated by how hard it can be to get rid of chronic ear issues. 90003 90002 In fact, 90009 ear problems are a top reason why dogs visit the vet 90010.Finding a resolution can be challenging … 90003 90002 … but not impossible. 90003 90002 If your dog has an ear infection right now, you can jump to How Do I Treat My Dog’s Ear Infection Naturally? 90003 90002 But come back and read more about ear infections when you get time. It’s important to understand what causes them. 90003 90018 Types Of Dog Ear Infections? 90019 90002 Ear infections can appear in various parts of the ear. Let’s break that down. 90003 90022 90023 90009 90025 Otitis externa 90026: 90010 This means inflammation or infection of the external part of your dog’s ear — the parts you can see 90028 90023 90009 90025 Otitis media 90026: 90010 This is inflammation or infection of the middle ear structures.16% of 90025 dogs 90026 with otitis externa will have 90025 otitis media 90026. And it’s also a problem in more than 50% of 90025 dogs 90026 who have 90009 chronic 90010 90025 otitis 90026 externa. 90028 90023 90009 90025 Otitis interna 90026: 90010 This is inflammation or infection of the inner ear. Unresolved 90025 otitis media 90026 can spread and become 90025 otitis interna. 90026 90028 90055 90002 You can easily manage 90025 90009 otitis externa 90010 90026 at home.90003 90002 For deeper ear issues, some of the home remedies below can help … 90003 90002 … or you might need to work with your holistic vet. If you’re not sure, ask your holistic vet to help you figure out what kind of ear trouble your dog has. 90003 90018 90009 Symptoms Of Dog Ear Infections 90010 90019 90002 Your dog will be pretty clear about letting you know something is wrong with her ears. 90003 90002 Ear infections are painful. Think about how uncomfortable water in your ear can be.Then add to that the pain from inflammation … 90003 90002 … so it’s no wonder your dog tells you she’s hurting. You’ll see some of these signals: 90003 90022 90023 Head tilting towards the side with the infection 90028 90023 Head shaking 90028 90023 Scratching or pawing at ears 90028 90023 Rubbing ears 90028 90023 Hot ears 90028 90023 Smelly ears 90028 90023 Waxy discharge 90028 90023 Crusty , scabby or red, irritated skin inside the ear flap 90028 90055 90002 90009 Extreme cases may cause … 90010 90003 90022 90023 Hearing loss 90028 90023 Loss of balance 90028 90023 Walking in circles 90028 90055 90002 90009 Consult your holistic vet if you see these symptoms.90010 90003 90018 A Holistic View Of Ear Issues 90019 90002 The first step in treating your dog’s ear issues is to identify the possible sources of the problem. 90003 90002 An ear infection is rarely just an ear infection. Like other skin conditions, ear problems are often a symptom of an underlying disease. This means you’ll need to look a lot deeper than the ears to help your dog overcome her problems. 90003 90002 We live in a toxic world. Exposure to drugs, pesticides, vaccines, and other chemicals stress your dog’s immune system.90003 90002 Your dog’s body tries to get rid of these environmental stressors as best it can. Her bowels, urinary tract, skin, and ears are all ways that toxins can leave the body. 90003 90002 Seeing discharge and inflammation in the ears is a sign that the body’s trying to remove toxins. 90003 90002 From a holistic perspective, this is a good thing! Your dog’s body is working to heal itself by getting rid of toxins. 90003 90002 Holistic treatment supports this natural detoxification process.But conventional medicine takes a completely different approach. 90003 90018 Why Conventional Treatments Are Like Bandages 90019 90002 Your conventional vet will often offer antibiotics and medicated topical treatments. 90003 90002 These medicines may help the ears clear up at first … but the problem often returns later. 90003 90002 The drugs only treat the symptoms you can see. But they do not address the underlying condition that’s causing the symptoms. 90003 90002 Using antibiotics is a tough decision.Antibiotics will disrupt the bacterial balance in your dog’s gut. And that’s just the start. Yeast can often overgrow as well … and that kills more good bacteria. 90003 90002 Sometimes your vet may even prescribe steroids to manage ear problems. Steroids work by suppressing the immune system. They can cause many harmful side effects. So avoid them if you can. 90003 90002 When you suppress symptoms without correcting the underlying disease, that’s a problem. And with ear infections, it’s especially bad.90003 90002 Remember how I said toxins can exit the body through the ears? 90003 90002 Well, if you close off that exit route by using suppressive drugs, it can drive the disease deeper. It’ll come back somewhere else. And that means your dog will get sicker … maybe with a more serious disease. 90003 90002 So, finding the cause of your dog’s ear problems is the key to ridding her of them once and for all. 90003 90018 90009 Why Does My Dog Get Ear Infections? 90010 90019 90002 Remember, ear infections are an alert that the body is unwell.The following are some reasons for ear infections in dogs. 90003 90152 90009 1. Diet 90010 90155 90002 Diet is a huge factor, especially if your dog eats a processed diet. Kibble is high in refined carbohydrates, preservatives, and processed ingredients. 90003 90002 Dry diets feed the natural yeast in your dog’s body. This causes the yeast to grow larger colonies in the gut … leading to inflammation. 90003 90002 That’s why you’ll often see signs of food allergies or intolerances if you feed kibble.90003 90002 It’s always important to feed your dog a fresh, raw and organic diet if you can. 90003 [90009 Related: 90010 Raw Feeding Dogs: 10 Simple Rules To Get Started] 90152 2. Anatomic 90155 90002 If your dog has long ear flaps, like a Cocker Spaniel, she’ll be more prone to ear infections. The long ears trap more debris and moisture. There’s less airflow than in a dog with pricked ears. 90003 90002 She may also have a tendency for waxy buildup and discharge. Her ear canal is a dark moist environment that can encourage the excess growth of yeast and bacteria.90003 90152 3. Lifestyle 90155 90002 Dogs who live a more natural lifestyle are less likely to develop ear infections. 90003 90002 Make some lifestyle choices that reduce stressors: 90003 90022 90023 Feed your dog a whole food, raw diet 90028 90023 Do not over-vaccinate. Talk to your vet about titers and avoid unnecessary vaccines 90028 90023 Use caution with pharmaceutical drugs and avoid them when possible 90028 90023 Avoid exposure to pesticides and chemicals in your dog’s environment 90028 90055 90152 4.Excessive Ear Cleaning 90155 90002 Healthy ears should not need cleaning. If your dog’s ears look a little waxy, try to leave them alone. A little wax in the ears is normal. 90003 90002 If your dog is not uncomfortable, do not clean the ears. Overcleaning can lead to skin irritation and inflammation. 90003 90002 If you do need to clean your dog’s ears, wipe them out with a little organic witch hazel on a cotton ball or pad. 90003 90152 5. Weakened Immune System 90155 90002 If your dog has food or environmental intolerances, her immune system is weak.Like an ear infection, you need to find the root cause of food intolerances. 90003 90002 Often they’re due to an imbalance in the gut. About 80% of your dog’s immune system lives in her gut … so gut health leads to overall health. 90003 90002 So you’ll need to get to the bottom of your dog’s allergies to resolve her ear issues. 90003 [90009 Related: 90010 Dysbiosis: Does Your Dog Have Leaky Gut?] 90152 6. Other Chronic Disease 90155 90002 Chronic conditions like hypothyroidism or autoimmune disease can also result in ear infections.Again, these conditions stress her immune system. 90003 90002 So she will not be able to tolerate stressors and toxins from her environment. 90003 90002 Work with your holistic vet to identify the underlying reason for the problem. 90003 90002 So … if your dog does get itchy, gunky ears, what can you do? 90003 90002 Next, let’s talk about some different types of ear infections. 90003 90018 Types Of Ear Infections In Dogs 90019 90002 These are some of the most common types of ear issues for dogs.90003 90152 Bacteria Or Yeast Overgrowth 90155 90002 Bacteria and yeast both exist naturally in healthy ears, but they can get out of balance. 90003 90002 If your dog swims a lot, moisture in the ears can contribute to either of these conditions. 90003 90002 If your dog’s ears are yeasty-smelling with a dark brown discharge, it’s often yeast overgrowth. Yeasty ears may be itchy but are usually not painful. 90003 90002 Bacterial infections can also appear. You may notice a bad-smelling yellow or greenish discharge.90003 90152 Ear Mites 90155 90002 Ear mites, known as o 90025 todectes cynotis, 90026 are a parasite infection and a type of mange. 90003 90002 Dogs with ear mites will often shake their heads and scratch at their ears. 90003 90002 Young dogs often get mites and they’re quite contagious, so you’ll want to treat them fast. 90003 90002 You also need to avoid other pets in the house catching them. Cats can get them too! 90003 90002 You can usually identify mites by the «coffee-ground» discharge they leave in the ear.The outer ear may also have reddish crustiness. 90003 90152 Foreign Bodies 90155 90002 Sometimes ear discomfort comes from foreign bodies getting into your dog’s ear. Your dog can pick up grass seeds or foxtails, a bug, water from swimming, or even dirt. 90003 90002 Your dog will usually shake her head to get rid of the debris. If she’s unsuccessful, she may develop irritation and bacteria or yeast overgrowth. 90003 90152 Aural Hematoma 90155 90002 If your dog shakes her head or scratches it too hard, she can cause an aural hematoma.This is a type of bruise that forms a pool of blood between the skin and the ear flap cartilage. 90003 90002 Most vets will recommend surgery for this condition. Do not rush into it! There are some gentler treatment options you can try first. 90003 90002 So now you know a little more about ear infections in dogs! Let’s move on to natural solutions for prevention and treatment … that work! 90003 90018 How Do I Prevent Ear Infections In My Dog? 90019 90002 If your dog does not have any history of ear troubles … just leave them be.You do not want to fix something that is not broken. 90003 90002 Otherwise, you can help maintain good ear health with a mild herbal ear remedy once a month or so. You may only need to do this seasonally … maybe if she’s swimming more, or has seasonal allergies. 90003 90002 But for dogs who do get ear infections, these remedies can help prevent trouble. 90003 90152 Chamomile 90025 (Matricaria recutita) 90026 90155 90002 Chamomile has relaxing, anti-inflammatory, analgesic, sedative, and antiseptic qualities.This is perfect for soothing sore ears if your dog’s been scratching or rubbing. 90003 90002 90009 Dosing Chamomile For Dogs: 90010 90003 90002 You can make tea and let it cool, then add a few drops to your dog’s ears. 90003 90002 Internally, it has a powerful ability to calm your pet and help her sleep through the pain. To give orally you can buy a glycerin tincture from your health food store and give 0.25-0.5 ml per 20 lbs, morning and night. 90003 90152 Garlic 90025 (Allium sativum) 90026 90155 90002 You can often find garlic added to herbal ear mixtures for its antibiotic properties.You can also feed it daily to your dog to help fight mild infections from the inside out. Do not worry, it’s safe! 90003 90002 Read more details on dosing and the wonders of garlic. 90003 90152 Witch hazel 90025 (Hamamelis virginiana) 90026 90155 90002 Witch hazel is an excellent astringent. It helps decrease any swelling in the ear canal and can ease pain. This one is a good one to dry out your dog’s ears if she swims a lot. 90003 90002 You can find witch hazel at your health food store.Just a few drops will help dry your dog’s ears … but if she has any c 90009 uts or sores, do not use it 90010. The alcohol will burn and hurt any sore spots. 90003 90018 How Do I Treat My Dog’s Ear Infection Naturally? 90019 90002 Ear infections can be very uncomfortable for your dog. So let’s look at natural soothing solutions you can start with. 90003 90002 These will get her comfortable while you get to the root cause. 90003 90152 Soothing Solutions For Dog Ear Infections 90155 90002 Dr Michael Dym recommends the following soothing solutions for your dog: 90003 90310 Green Tea 90311 90312 90023 Boil 8 oz of water and add two green tea bags.90028 90023 Let the tea steep for a few minutes and cool to lukewarm temperature. 90028 90023 Sponge or syringe some of the solution into the ear canal. 90028 90319 90310 Calendula Tincture 90311 90312 90023 Buy herbal calendula in tincture form. 90028 90023 Add 5 to 10 drops of calendula tincture to ½ to 1 cup of lukewarm filtered water. 90028 90023 Sponge or place with a dropper into the ears. 90028 90319 90310 Yogurt 90311 90312 90023 Buy plain, unsweetened yogurt 90028 90023 Place yogurt in the ear canal with a syringe to help repopulate the ear with «good» bacteria.90028 90319 90310 Grapefruit Seed Extract 90311 90002 Grapefruit seed extract (GSE) is a powerful natural antioxidant. It is also antibacterial, antiviral and anti-fungal. 90003 90002 To use it topically, mix 10 drops of GSE with ½ oz of pure aloe vera juice and use it to clean the ears. 90003 90002 To use it internally, add 3 to 5 drops of GSE to your dog’s food. 90003 90310 Oil Of Oregano 90311 90002 Oil of oregano is a natural antibiotic. 90003 90002 Add one drop to ½ oz of warm pure aloe vera juice.You can use this mixture topically in the ear … or add a few drops to your dog’s food. 90003 90002 These soothing solutions will help ease the pain and itching. 90003 90002 But remember … these soothing remedies will not make your dog’s ear problems go away. 90003 90356 90152 Herbal Remedies For Mild Dog Ear Infections 90155 90002 Herbalist and holistic veterinarian Randy Kidd DVM PhD recommends this solution. Use it for mild ear infections: 90003 90310 Vinegar And Water 90311 90002 Mix of 1: 1 vinegar (organic apple cider vinegar is a good choice) and filtered or spring water.Apply it once daily for a few weeks, then once a week or so for several more months. 90003 90002 Make sure you get the liquid into the ear canal by holding your dog’s ear still. You can pour or squirt the liquid (at least one dropper full each time) into the ear canal. Then massage gently below the ear. 90003 90152 Mullein Drops 90155 90002 Dr Kidd also recommends a mullein mix that’ll work on most ear infections. You can make your own or buy one at health food stores (one brand, HerbPharm, offers a good mullein-garlic oil).90003 90002 To make your own: 90003 90312 90023 Pack mullein leaves and flowers in a glass jar and cover with olive oil. For increased antibiotic effectiveness, you can add a clove or two of garlic per pint of oil. 90028 90023 Let the mixture sit for 2 to 3 weeks. 90028 90023 Strain and apply several drops of the warmed oil into the ear canal daily 90028 90319 [90009 Related: 90010 90009 3 Simple Ways Apple Cider Vinegar Can Help Your Dog] 90010 90018 Homeopathic Remedies For Dog Ear Infections 90019 90002 Reach for homeopathic remedies for acute or minor ear flare-ups.90003 90002 90009 Note: 90010 If this is a chronic, recurrent ear problem … check out Homeopathy For Chronic Ear Issues 90003 90002 Choose the remedy below that best matches your dog’s symptoms. Use a 30C potency. 90003 90152 90025 Belladonna 90026 90155 90002 Use 90025 Belladonna 90026 when the ears are very hot and inflamed. Your dog may be impatient and irritable. 90003 90152 90025 Pulsatilla 90026 90155 90002 This remedy is helpful for acute flare-ups. Often with sensitivity and redness, along with a yellowish discharge.90025 Pulsatilla 90026 animals like to sit near open windows, hate getting their paws wet and will not go out in the rain. They also tend to have a very sweet (and often needy) disposition. 90003 90152 90025 Hepar Sulphuris 90026 90155 90002 90025 Hepar sulph 90026 is useful for irritable animals who do not like to have their inflamed ears touched. 90003 90002 Follow the information below for help with dosing. 90003 90310 Homeopathic Dosing Guide 90311 90022 90023 You can tip 2 or 3 pellets straight into your dog’s mouth.Try not to touch the pellets with your hands as it can interfere with the remedy. 90028 90023 Or … put the pellets into a small glass of filtered or spring water. Stir vigorously for about 30 seconds. Then use a dropper or teaspoon to place some of the liquid on your dog’s gums 90028 90023 Give the remedy every half hour for 3 doses, then wait to see if your dog feels better. 90028 90023 If her condition improves, do nothing. The remedy is working! 90028 90023 If you see an improvement followed by a decline, give her another dose.90028 90023 If nothing changes, try a different remedy. 90028 90055 90018 Homeopathy For Chronic Dog Ear Infections 90019 90002 If your dog has chronic, recurring ear issues, it’s best to get help from your homeopathic vet. 90003 90002 A professional homeopath will do a complete analysis of your dog’s symptoms … then prescribe a constitutional remedy. This approach will address your dog’s whole symptom picture. It’ll help get to the underlying cause of your dog’s ear problems. 90003 90002 90009 You can find a homeopathic vet at 90010 90009 theavh 90010 90009.90010 90009 org 90010 90009 or 90010 90009 pivh.org 90010 90009. Most will do phone consults so they do not have to be local. 90010 90003 90002 Be aware that with homeopathy, symptoms sometimes look worse before they get better. 90003 90002 Healing comes from the inside out, so ear issues are often the last to go away after the deeper issues improve. 90003 90018 Getting Rid Of Ear Mites Naturally 90019 90002 Mites are a parasitic infection. They’re not that common in dogs. But when do they do happen they can be hard to deal with.90003 90002 Mites are very contagious so check your other pets — including cats. 90003 90002 This treatment is from the 90025 Manual of Natural Veterinary Medicine. 90026 It’s by Drs Susan Wynne and Steve Marsden. 90003 90002 First, clean the ears with mineral oil or olive oil to remove as much debris as possible. The oil can help asphyxiate the mites. 90003 90002 Do this treatment every 3 days for 2 weeks. That schedule is important because ear mite eggs hatch every 4 days. 90003 90002 You can add one or two drops of essential oil to the ear cleaning oil to help with mite control and itching: 90003 90022 90023 Peppermint oil has a topical anesthetic effect 90028 90023 Catnip oil may help control or repel the mites 90028 90023 Hypericum oil relieves ear pain 90028 90023 Calendula oil helps heal the ear surfaces 90028 90055 90002 Or, another option: 90003 90002 Herbalists Greg Tilford and Mary Wulff recommend applying garlic oil twice daily.Mites do not like sulfur and garlic has a lot of it! Garlic also helps reduce bacterial infections. 90003 90002 Mullein is also anti-parasitic. Applying garlic-mullein oil (90025 HerbPharm 90026 makes a good one) can be a good anti-mite remedy. 90003 90018 Natural Aural Hematoma Support 90019 90002 Hematomas can be quite serious so it’s a good idea to consult your holistic vet. Many vets will recommend surgery but there are other options worth trying first. 90003 90002 Drs Wynne and Marsden recommend the Chinese herbal formula 90009 Yunnan Bai Yao 90010.This mixture is for internal use. 90003 90002 90009 Dosing Yunnan Bai Yao: 90010 90003 90002 Use 1 capsule or tablet, or 250 mg of powder per 20 lbs of body weight once or twice daily. 90003 90002 The 90009 homeopathic remedies 90025 Arnica montana 90026 30C or 90025 Hamamelis 90026 30C 90010 can help. 90003 90002 They are best for simple hematomas that do not have a lot of ear inflammation. Drs Wynne and Marsden recommend giving one of these remedies up to twice daily for 1 week, then once a day for 4 to 5 days.90003 90002 You can also use topical 90025 Arnica 90026 or 90025 Hamamelis 90026 three times daily. Both should be available at health stores. If the hematoma continues to expand, stop treatment and consult your vet. 90003 90002 Greg Tilford and Mary Wulff recommend 90009 yarrow 90010 as another herbal option. Yarrow oil applied topically helps strengthen the exterior capillary walls. 90003 90002 90009 Witch hazel 90010 can also be effective. Its strong astringent properties help constrict weak or inflamed blood vessels.90003 90018 Removing Foreign Objects In The Ear 90019 90002 If you can see the foreign object in the ear, you may be able to remove it with your fingers or tweezers (be careful). 90003 90002 Otherwise, use homeopathic 90025 Silica 90026 (also spelled 90025 Silicea 90026) in a 6C or 30C potency to help eject it. 90003 90002 Use the Homeopathic Dosing Guide above. 90003 90018 Why Does My Dog Have Chronic Ear Infections? 90019 90002 If your dog often gets ear infections, it’s a sign that something else is wrong.The ear infection is his body’s way of alerting you that his immune system is under stress. 90003 90002 There can be many causes … and you may need your holistic vet to help you figure it out. 90003 90002 One problem you’ll want to rule out is leaky gut. 90003 90002 Many dogs with chronic health issues have some form of leaky gut. Toxins and bad bacteria in the body can harm the gut lining. This allows food or toxin particles into the bloodstream that should not be there. These can cause many chronic health problems.90003 90002 Here are the major causes of leaky gut: 90003 90002 90009 1. Poor Diet 90010 90003 90002 90009 2. Drugs And Other Toxins 90010 90003 90002 90009 3. Over-vaccination 90010 90003 90002 Leaky gut can take time to heal … but treating it can make a huge difference in your dog’s health. 90003 [90009 Related: 90010 Dysbiosis: Does Your Dog Have Leaky Gut?] 90018 Be Patient With Chronic Conditions 90019 90002 You’ll need to be patient with the healing process when you’re dealing with chronic ear issues in your dog.90003 90002 As your dog releases toxins through his ears, remember that this is an important part of healing. 90003 90002 The ears are one way your dog’s own healing power gets rid of toxins. You do not want to suppress that process. 90003 90002 Any drug or herb that can stop symptoms fast is likely to suppress them. This drives them deeper into the body where they can cause more serious issues later. 90003 90002 Be patient, and use the soothing solutions I mentioned above for comfort in the meantime.And work with your homeopathic or holistic vet to discover the root cause. 90003 90018 It’s A Journey 90019 90002 So by now, I hope you feel more confident using natural remedies at home for your dog’s ear infections. It’s the first step on your journey to finding your dog’s perfect body balance … and saying good-bye to ear infections for good. 90003.90000 Dog Ear Infection & Dizziness 90001 90002 90003 Overview 90004 If you spin around in circles as fast as you can and then attempt to walk in a straight line, you’ll experience what your dog probably feels like if she’s suffering with vestibular disease. There are two types of vestibular disease: 90005 peripheral 90006 and 90005 central 90006. In this article, we will discuss the peripheral form, which, with treatment, generally carries a good prognosis and is much more common than central vestibular disease, which attacks the central nervous system and brain.90009 90003 Dogs with peripheral vestibular disease have a breakdown in communication between the inner ear and the brain, causing dizziness. Though this disease can be debilitating for your furry friend, it is not life-threatening. Peripheral vestibular disease generally affects senior and geriatric dogs over 8 years of age. Its most common cause is inflammation of the nerves that connect the ear to the brain, most often caused by chronic or recurrent ear infections. In some situations, vestibular disease can result from a lesion or infection in the brain, a stroke, or a head injury.In some older dogs, vestibular disease occurs suddenly, with no known underlying cause. 90009 90003 Symptoms 90004 The most common symptom of vestibular disease is loss of balance. No, your pooch has not been hitting the bottle … but it may look as though she has! If the disease only affects one ear, your dog may walk with a tilt or in circles. 90009 90003 Other symptoms might include: 90009 90017 90018 Inability to stand 90019 90018 Falling 90019 90018 Repetitive eye movement (nystagmus) 90019 90018 Stumbling 90019 90018 Incoordination (ataxia) 90019 90028 90003 Diagnose / Treatment 90004 Once consulted, your veterinarian will perform a thorough physical exam, looking carefully at your pet’s ears, and may recommend diagnostic tests to look for concurrent conditions and to rule out other disorders that mimic vestibular disease.90009 90003 These tests could include: 90009 90017 90018 Chemistry tests to evaluate kidney, liver, and pancreatic function, as well as sugar levels 90019 90018 A complete blood count (CBC) to rule out blood-related conditions 90019 90018 Electrolyte tests to ensure your pet is not dehydrated or suffering from an electrolyte imbalance 90019 90018 Urine tests to screen for urinary tract infection and other disease, and to evaluate the ability of the kidneys to concentrate urine 90019 90018 A thyroid test to determine if the thyroid gland is producing too little thyroid hormone 90019 90018 A cortisol test to rule out Addison’s disease 90019 90018 Antibody / Antigen tests to rule out parasitic infections 90019 90018 Ultrasound examination of the abdomen to rule out tumors 90019 90028 90003 Treatment will depend on the discovery of any concurrent conditions or underlying causes, such as an ear infection.If no cause is detected, your veterinarian will suggest supportive care that you can provide for your dizzy pooch as she recovers. The good news: most cases resolve quickly, with dogs recovering within a few weeks. 90009 90003 Prevention 90004 Keeping your pooch free of infection and clean will help to prevent vestibular disease caused by an inflammation of the nerves. Routine health care and physicals including diagnostic tests can identify-sooner rather than later-any underlying conditions that could possibly cause vestibular disease.Call your veterinarian immediately if your dog seems dizzy or «drunk» -vestibular disease can happen quickly and can be scary, for both you and your pet! 90009 90003 90058 If you have any questions or concerns, you should always visit or call your veterinarian — they are your best resource to ensure the health and well-being of your pets. 90059 90009.90000 Common Dog Ear Problems | PetHelpful 90001 90002 Aural Hematoma 90003 90004 An aural hematoma in dogs is not a primary condition, but it often results as a consequence from excessive head shaking and scratching. While the dog shakes its head and scratches insistently, over time, the small blood vessels will bleed inside the ear and cause notorious swelling causing the ear flap to fill up with blood. The dog’s ear flaps will swell up like balloons or marsh mellows, and upon touching them, they may feel squishy and odd.What is even worse is that should an aural hematoma go untreated, a dog’s ears may never go back to normal leaving the ears with very unsightly scarring and even permanent deformities. 90005 90002 Otitis 90003 90004 The classical ear infection indeed, otitis can be external and internal. Other than the classical head shaking and pawing, ear infections can be pretty painful and may progress to the middle ear even lead to deafness should it go untreated. Fortunately, a course of antibiotics is all it takes to give the dog comfort in most cases.90005 90002 Ear Mites 90003 90004 While not really a disease, ear mites have the potential of causing disease. These parasites live in the ear and can be detected thanks to the offensive odor emanated from an affected ear and thanks to the coffee ground discharge left behind. A course of Tresaderm may be prescribed to get rid of these annoying parasites that may cause otitis. 90005 90002 Yeast Infections 90003 90004 These may follow antibiotic treatments and typically cause a rancid odor, brown discharge, and very inflamed ears.Anti-fungal treatments will be necessary treatment wise. In mild cases, the below home remedy of water and vinegar may be helpful. 90005 90002 Fly Bite Dermatitis 90003 90004 Flies may insistently bite the dog’s ears especially in those dog breeds characterized by erect ears. The ears of these dogs will appear with crusty brown-black edges. The dermatitis that develops can be prevented by keeping the door indoors or applying effective insect repellents. 90005 90002 Allergies 90003 90004 Itching and pawing at the ears may be due to allergies.Allergies may be caused by just about anything, foods, dusts, pollens, chemicals etc. Finding the triggering allergen may be challenging, yet not impossible. If food allergies are suspected, a trial diet may help pinpoint the offending food. Anti-histamines can bring relief and in worse cases corticosteroids and steroid shots may be necessary. 90005 90002 Squamous Cell Carcinoma 90003 90004 This form of cancer is worth mentioning due the increase of damaging ultra violet rays. White dogs are particularly vulnerable and the ears are often a targeted area due to their exposure to the sun rays and their thin skin.Your vet should prescribe sunscreen suitable for dogs to protect ears, muzzle and nose. Do not use human sun screen as some may be toxic for pets. 90005 90002 Labirintitis 90003 90004 This condition affects the inner ear, an area also responsible for a dog’s balance. It can occur when otitis progresses to the inner ear. In such cases dogs develop dizziness, in-coordination, head tilt, nystgamus and circling. Medications can be prescribed to give relief from the dizziness. The underlying cause needs addressed.90005.

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