I have a 8 month old German Shepherd and hes been scratching His ear for about a week now. It is bleeding on the Flappy part of his ear not inside. His ear is starting to get red and it hurts him so much that I cant touch it or sooth it so he would feel better. I dont know if hes just scratching his ear like a normal dog. Do you think its because he has long nails (i dont cut them cause i dont know how.) or is there an infection. Please help. Im really sad right now =(
2007-12-31 11:53:03 · 11 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pets ➔ Dogs
Is it all swollen and poofy? It is called an aural hematoma. Just leave it alone. If it bleeds profusely, you can see a vet to have it drained. If you can leave it alone, it will go away in 3-4 weeks.
As far as the itchy ears, he probably has a yeast infection. The most common type of ear infection in dogs is yeast. Any fungicide will kill it. Some people use vinegar to help retard the growth. I just clean my dog's ears out with rubbing alcohol weekly to prevent yeast growth.
2007-12-31 12:04:23 · answer #1 · answered by mama woof 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
You definitely need to take the dog to the vet.
He could have a variety of different ailments, but the most likely ones are an ear infection, ear mites, an allergy, or fleas.
If it is an ear infection or ear mites, it is very easy to treat. The vet will examine the ear, flush it out, and apply medication. You will also be sent home with medication to use for about a week.
Don't let this problem continue. Dogs that scratch their ears can cause a problem called a hematoma. This happens when blood vessels in the ear rupture, and the ear flap fills with fluid. This requires surgery, and is MUCH more expensive, problematic and gross than taking your dog to the vet now and getting it treated for an ear infection.
Read about hematomas here: http://www.petplace.com/dogs/aural-hematoma-in-dogs/page1.aspx
2007-12-31 12:05:09 · answer #2 · answered by LeighJ 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
First of all, he could have something in the ear like a tick, or foxglove, or something like that. You will notice swelling if it is infected. Also, it can become infected easily just from him scratching it. If you can't take him tonight to the vet......and tomorrow being a Holiday.....then I would suggest you get some Neosporin and Peroxide a clean washcloth and in very warm water clean the ear lobe with the very warm and not hot water first, by using the dripping wet washcloth and water. Lightly towel it as dry as you can with just dabbing gently. Then pour on the peroxide and let it set for about 1 full minute to 1 1/2 minutes. Dab that dry as possible....and then gently rub the Neosporin on the clean wound. If possible wrap it in an ACE bandage. If that isn't possible just leave the neosporin on it. Tomorrow....do this again but not until the afternoon. He should have cut down on the scratching a bit. This is just cleaning the wound and protecting it from more trouble. It will only buy you time to get to the vets.....
Yes you need to go to the vet....also, they can cut his nails....they charge for that....You can have them show you how to do it yourself. Of all the dogs I have had...My German Shepard was the easiest to handle to cut his nails....He was an angel...gone to doggie heaven now.....and These little pugs I got now...geezzzzz they are an absolute pain in the butt to trim the nails...I have to pay to have it done. Or get mean with them and wrestle with them and have my Hubby or Grown Son hold them......they are such wiggley wormy whinny dogs...But I love them dearly.....Hope your Friend feels better soon........
2007-12-31 12:11:21 · answer #3 · answered by Toffy 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It could be an infection, an insect bite, almost anything that caused him to be itchy initially. Now that he has scratched it raw and opened a wound, he needs to be treated by a vet. It will need to be professionally cleaned, he'll probably get an antibiotic ointment and some oral antibiotics to take at home. If the infection seems bad, he might get an antibiotic injection at the vet's office.
Once a dog turns a hot spot into an open wound, he has to go to the vet.
2007-12-31 11:59:14 · answer #4 · answered by magsgundah 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
sounds like a yeast infection in your dogs ear. You need to take your dog to the vet so they can ive you this stuff to put on the flap of the ear it comes in a tube and stuff to clean your dogs ears with. That should help and make the redness go away.
My rottie mix's ear got that way once and the vet gave me the stuff for it.
2007-12-31 12:02:19 · answer #5 · answered by Koter Boters misses Rufus! 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
sounds like he might have ear mites. I would take him to the vet. At the very least there is something he may be allergic to making him itchy and causing the scratching.
Take him to the vet............Don't wait until it gets worse, as might cause permanent scarring, hair won't grow back over that area.
Vet can give you antibiotics to cure the scratch if infected. Also something to stop him from scratching.
2007-12-31 12:01:23 · answer #6 · answered by lori t 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Its probably an infection.
Be a responsible owner and go to the Vet now. Im sure you would have gone to the hospital if your ear was killing you...
2007-12-31 11:55:40 · answer #7 · answered by galloping.greys 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Take him to his vet! If he can't touch it or anything, it probably has an infection and needs attention! GO NOW!
2007-12-31 11:57:18 · answer #8 · answered by Mrs.Smith 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
sounds like an yeast infection or possible ear mites
2007-12-31 11:57:41 · answer #9 · answered by tym v 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I beleive that it is either your dog has dry skin or has fleas or mites on him which they make a shampoo for those causes.
2007-12-31 11:58:12 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋