Why do dogs' ears hurt and what to do about it?
A dog is not only a true friend of a person but also an animal that requires a lot of attention. Ear diseases in dogs occur quite frequently, which can upset and create a lot of problems.
The good news is that this can be partially avoided. That is, timely treatment of the ears and regular prevention can be conducted.
Why might a dog's ears hurt?
First of all, a dog's ears are a sufficiently sensitive organ. It often gets sick and requires additional care.
Dogs can have ear pain for the following reasons (most common):
- Infections (bacterial, fungal, viral).
- Allergic reactions.
- Parasites (mites, ear mites).
- Injuries.
- Tumors.
Unfortunately, each of these problems can arise even in well-cared-for dogs.
How to detect ear problems in dogs?
To timely identify an ear issue, one should rely on the pet's well-being. Usually, the animal may start demanding more attention, it may sleep a lot or scratch itself. All this can become the first symptom and signal to seek help.
What to do if your pet falls ill:
- Consult a veterinarian. This is the most important step. The doctor can conduct diagnostics and make a diagnosis.
- Clean ears - first aid for your pet. It is not advisable to treat the animal independently, but it is possible to ease its condition immediately. For this, it is necessary to gently clean the ears.
- Protect the ears. Before visiting the doctor, the pet should not be allowed to scratch and injure its ears.
After visiting the doctor, it is important to follow all his recommendations and engage in complete treatment of the dog.
Prevention of ear diseases in dogs
To avoid worrying about your pet in the future, it is better to conduct regular prevention of ear diseases.
What can be done at home:
- Regular ear hygiene. For this, special cleaning agents for a dog's ears are used. It is necessary to avoid using cotton swabs, as they can injure the ears.
- Minimum allergens. If possible, limit the spread of any allergens in the house that may cause a reaction in the dog. This refers to dust, pollen, and even some food.
- Protection against parasites. It is essential to ensure protection against mites and ear mites. For this, it is necessary to regularly use anti-parasitic agents recommended by a veterinarian.
Of course, the most that a person can do for their pet is to keep a constant watch over it. Any change in behavior is a reason for an additional examination of the dog.
In general, such prevention is suitable for most skin diseases in animals, especially in domestic pets.
