If your dog has scratching at its ears, there's a good chance it has an ear infection. Unfortunately, it's not easy to schedule a veterinary appointment right now. Not only that, you might not be ready to venture out yet. If you're unable to get your dog to the vet right away, here are some steps you can take to care for their ear infection.
Keep the Ears Clean
If your dog has an ear infection, ramp up the cleaning. Your dog should have clean ears to help keep the bacteria away. One way to clean your dog's ears is to use warm water and a clean cloth. Soak a washcloth in warm water and gently wipe inside your dog's ears. Take care not to place anything inside the ear canal. That can injure your dog's ear.
Apply Compresses
Ear infections often come with ear pain. Ear pain can be unbearable for your dog. If your dog is dealing with ear pain right now, start with cool compresses. Soak clean compresses in cool water. Squeeze out the excess water and place the compresses on the affected ear. Leave the compresses in place for about 15 minutes. Repeat the process several times a day. If your dog won't leave the compresses in place, sit with them during the application. They may lie still if they're comforted by you.
Stop Ear Flapping
If your dog is flapping its ear to ease the pain, it might be doing more harm than good. Excess ear flapping can cause damage to your dog's inner ear. One way to stop the flapping is to place a loose cap on your dogs head. The cap will also help keep the breeze out of your dog's ears.
Trim Their Hair
If your dog has a build up of hair in it's ears, trim it back. Too much hair inside the ear allows germs and bacteria to grow. It also allows for more moisture. Unfortunately, moisture buildup increases the risk for ear infection. Help remove moisture and soothe the pain. Trim the hair out of your dog's ears. While you're trimming the hair, check for signs of redness or discharge. Redness and discharge are a sign that your dog's ear infection requires medical care.
Get to the Vet
If you've discovered redness or discharge inside your dog's ears, contact a veterinary clinic right away. Your dog may need immediate medical attention to get the infection under control.
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18 May 2020
When it comes time to help your animals, there are a lot of different things you can do to improve their quality of life. Walks, nutritious food, and excellent veterinary care are all great ways that you can help to improve your animal's day and their life in general. On this blog, check out great tips that will help your animals to live their best life, so that they are well-suited to be happy for the long haul. Read on this website to learn how to help your animal to live their happiest, most fulfilling lives, and how veterinary care can help tremendously.