One of the most commonly heard questions in a veterinarian’s office regarding dog health are problems associated with the ears. The signs of problems related to ear discomfort are an odor, scratching or intense rubbing of the ears, redness or swelling in the ear canal, repetitive shaking of the dogs head, and changes in behavior such as irritability or depression. When any of these signs are proved to be related to an ear problem from allergies, the owners often begin searching for the various ways to treat dog ear allergy symptoms.
Allergies in a Dog Causing Irritation with the Ears
After a dog owner has learned that their dogs itching and scratching around their ears due to allergies, it may be unclear on how they should treat it. It is said that about 20% of dogs will experience some sort of ear disease through their life, but only a small portion of them are related to allergies. Dogs that have an allergic reaction to food or simply allergens in the air will often have a high chance of exhibiting ear problems sometime in their life. The allergies can grow and become more complex once it has entered the ear canal, sometimes turning into secondary infections. This simply means that the dog has begun to have bacteria or yeast in their ears, causing more discomfort and pain.
Regular Ear Cleaning to Prevent and Relieve Symptoms of Allergies
When a veterinarian has discovered that the reason the dog is suffering is due to allergies, they will recommend that the owner begins to do more thorough cleaning. It is not as easy as simply wiping the ear with a cotton tip, like humans do though. Dogs are unique in that their ear canal are L-shaped and require much more work in order to get everything squeaky clean. Veterinarians typically tell dog owners to use an ear cleaning solution, along with fatty acid supplements. Cleaning the dogs ears regularly, sometimes even twice a day depending on the dogs condition, will help eliminate a lot of the pain and irritation a dog experiences.
Many people do not know what the reason for their dog’s ear problems are upon first notice. With 20% of dogs suffering from some sort of ear irritation in their lifetime, it is not uncommon for a dog to begin itching around their ears. If the owner already knows their dog has allergies, it will be easier for them to get the right kind of treatment administered. Typically, a dog that has allergies related to food or some other thing in their environment will be much more vulnerable to getting infected and having an ear problem. Using a solution, along with supplements, will help fight off any irritation the dog is having and relate in them being much healthier in only a short period of time. Taking the time to visit the doctor and get clear instructions on how to care for affected ears will help make the healing process much quicker and prevent the dog from getting ears problems again.