Does Your Dog Have an Ear Infection?

If you own a dog, especially a dog that has "floppy" ears, one of the things you will have to worry about is ear infections.  Believe it or not, many large breed dogs or dogs that do not have cropped ears are plagued by infections that are not only irritating, but downright painful.

Thankfully, if you pay attention to your pets, you will probably be able to spot signs of an ear infection.  Below, some common dog ear infection symptoms are provided:

Your dog keeps shaking his/her head. Persistent head shaking is a sign that something is wrong.  Your pet will shake his/her head from side to side because the ears are irritated.

Your dog cocks his/her head.  Usually, when a dog cocks his/her head to the side, we all think it is so cute. However, if your dog is doing this out of the blue, it may be indicative of an ear infection.

Your dog's outer ears appear swollen and red.  This is most definitely a sign that his/her ears are infected.  Also, feel our dog's ears.  Are they very warm and does your dog seem sensitive when you touch his/her ears?  If so, it is time to take your dog to the veterinarian for an examination.

Your dog has discharge or wax build up.  While you may be tempted to use water to clean the discharge, water is to be avoided at all costs as it can leave liquid deep in the ear canal and aggravate the ear even more. If you see wax or discharge, your best option is to seek help from a vet who can provide you with ear infection medication and also alcohol based solution for your dog's ears.

Is your furry friend showing signs of an ear infection?  If so, now is the time to find a local veterinarian that can provide treatment options immediately.