One of my dog's ears seems a bit red on the inside and I think it might have a little bit of odor(or maybe I'm crazy) that is a bit different from his other ear. Is there an easy way to tell if this is an ear infection and if it is, can they normally be treated with an over the counter medication?
2007-11-09 17:18:30 · 11 answers · asked by Haley 5 in Pets ➔ Dogs
They can't be treated with stuff available in stores. If it's a bacterial infection or ear mites, this requires proper anthelmintics or antibiotics, neither of which are available in stores. Stores are not licensed to sell medication.
Please do not attempt to treat this yourself. The only thing safe to do yourself is clean the ear, with slightly salty water on cotton wool (don't go deep in to the ear) or if you have any ear cleaning fluid use that.
Best thing to do is get this checked out before it progresses. At the moment it might not be an infection. Don't start picking your own treatments until you know what the problem is; at worst it would exacerbate the problem and at best it would be a waste of time.
Chalice
2007-11-09 21:22:33 · answer #1 · answered by Chalice 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It sounds to me like your dog might have a yeast infection in her ear. Each time you see your dog scratch tell them "NO", because the more they scratch the more they irritate it. The check for any bleeding if it's been scratched at a lot there might be some. If so then put a small amount of neosporin on the infection very lightly with a cotton ball or swab (If you use the swab be careful and do not go ANYWHERE inside the ear, only the outside). If not then give her some rest and take her to the vet. This is very common in dogs and she'll probably prescribe some ear drops. Don't worry with the proper care it should go away, good luck =]
2007-11-09 17:29:54 · answer #2 · answered by Marie♥ 2 · 0⤊ 2⤋
Go to the vet and your not crazy for noticing an odor that is a sign of an infection. If its a long hair breed keep the hair in and around his ears trimmed and short. I had a long haired dog who's ear would get infections all the time. His ears smelled and were red, part of the problem was his hair. I keeped the hair trimmed around the ears and cleaned them and he never had one again.
2007-11-09 18:27:26 · answer #3 · answered by blondebettie 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The best way to treat the dog's ear infection is to take him to the vet because you have no way of knowing whether the infection is bacterial or if it is yeast or mites.
Home remedies can be dangerous and cause more harm than good.
2007-11-09 22:09:07 · answer #4 · answered by Shepherdgirl § 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'm not making this up, but dogs can get something like a yeast infection in their ears. If it has alot of gunk in its ears you should probably try cleaning it out with some Q-tips first. And if your dog continues to scratch his ears and the gunk builds up, it probably has an ear infection. That's when you take it to the vet.
2007-11-09 20:20:26 · answer #5 · answered by gerald m 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Hi, try to palpate the affected ear gently, if the dog showed any sign of pain, it can be a sign of ear infection or inflammation. But it is not a certain diagnosis. A vet will examine the ears by otoscope which can ultimately tell you is there any problem or not. I do not offer you the risk of OTC drugs, without a proper treatment, simple ear problems can lead to severe diseases.
2007-11-09 17:44:25 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Need to see the vet. It's good to get it treated soon. Chronic ear infections can be very hard to cure as well as expensive so best to get things taken care of now.
2007-11-09 17:23:12 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
This is well worth a veterinary visit, as ear infections are not best treated at home. You aren't crazy--your dog needs professional assessment as s/he is ill.
2007-11-09 17:32:16 · answer #8 · answered by Syl 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Vet
2007-11-09 18:28:18 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Take her to the vet.
2007-11-09 19:12:05 · answer #10 · answered by ninjaaa! 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋