Redness and odor with a smell can occur when your dog’s ears are infected. The infection can be inner, middle or outer part of the ear. Inner and middle ear infections are generally more serious than outer ear infections.
Causes
Sometimes simply not drying your dog’s ears after a bath or swim can create an environment for bacteria to thrive. In play, they can have a twig or excessive dirt go in to the ear and check for an obstruction. Other causes can be fungal growth, food allergies and ear mites.
Home treatments
There are natural remedies for dog ear infections that could be useful. The antifungal calendula tincture can be helpful when mixed with sea salt and distilled water. One teaspoon of salt and teaspoon of calendula tincture mixed in the water and used as an earwash once or twice a day.
Try 20 drops of olive oil an ounce of garlic oil and mullein in equal parts in drip into the ears of the dog and gently massage.
Oregon grape oil if you can get it has strong antibiotic and 10 drops is excellent against ear mites. The immunity system can be boosted by Echinacea tablets, tea or tincture feed to your dog.
Make strong green tea and when cooled flush the ears twice a day. An equal mixture of water and vinegar to washout the ears once or twice a month can be helpful to treat bugs.
Drops of vitamin E oil just 2 or 3 and massaged for a few seconds can give much relief.
Soaking a clove of garlic in olive oil and given the dog in 2 or 3 drops and gently massaging it in a few seconds can benefit the dog, as garlic is a natural antibiotic.
Warm compress can give your dog much needed relief.
For yeast infections try a tub of probiotic organic natural yogurt rubbed gently into the dogs ear in small quantity can help fight the yeast.
Ear mites
For ear mites again, try herbal flea powder that you can buy containing rosemary, rue, eucalyptus and pennyroyal powder with wormwood. Sprinkle some of the powder on the dog after a bath for stubborn fleas that may cling to the coat.
These are simple measures to aid your dog but if in any way he is in a serious condition, do not hesitate to take him to your local vet to get a proper diagnosis and treatment.
One last herbal remedy for dog ear infection is one ounce of neem oil with half ounce of olive oil with 1 tsp. of tea tree oil and Eucalyptus oil ½ tsp. Drop 10 to 20 drops into his ear and gently massage to spread the oil.
Neem oil is excellent for soothing and fighting infections. Tea tree oil and eucalyptus oil have anti bacterial properties.
Prevention
Regular ear cleaning can prevent many problems as well as trimming excess hair as lack of airflow can be a contributory factor. Ear cleaning is also a way of monitoring the condition of your dog’s ear and help to prevent an outbreak of dog ear infection.
For a more informed read on dog ear infection home remedies, click here.
If I suspect that my dog has an ear infection because he continues to scratch and shake his head, is it okay if I take matters into my own hands and offer him these home ear infection remedies? Or, should I take him to the vet immediately for a diagnosis?
Hi Anthony, I suggest you go see your VET. Better safe than sorry, right?
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It treats:
-viral
-bacterial
-fungal infections
You only use 1-2 drops, for a day or two and the infection is gone! A bottle, even for chronic ear problems lasts a super long time, like a year.
Most vets will prescribe antibiotics and if it’s very bad, a steroid. These medications can cause damage to internal organs, like the liver, as well as upset the good bacteria in the intestines. Apple Blossom Natural’s product treats the infection directly, quickly and without any side effects. So skip the expensive vet visit, and go for an all inclusive natural cure!