Puppy Care

Dogs can get a variety of ear infections, caused by either bacteria or yeast. Here are some common causes of ear infections:

A lot of ear hair, which blocks air circulation.
Allergies.
Drop ears. Drop ears don't allow as much air circulation into the ear canal, so they can remain moist or wet, which is a good breeding ground for bacterial or yeast infections.
Grooming by plucking hair from the ear canals, which can cause sebum to ooze from the hair pores and encourage bacterial growth.
Narrow ear canals.
Using a cotton-tipped swab to clean the ears, which can force liquids or bacteria down into the ear canal.
Water getting into the ears while swimming or bathing.

Symptoms of an ear infection include unusual odor, head shaking, scratching, and rubbing at the ear. The ear will be painful. Your puppy may tilt her head and cry and whine if you touch her ear. The ear will be red and usually have a discharge.

It's important to take your puppy to the veterinarian if you suspect an ear problem. You don't want it to get worse and affect her hearing. The type of ear infection will determine what treatment your veterinarian prescribes. If it progresses too much, the vet may have to sedate her to clean her ears, or he may even have to perform surgery. For a more minor infection, the veterinarian may prescribe medication to put in your puppy's ears. Be sure to follow all directions carefully, and don't touch the tip of the applicator to the ear, or you could contaminate the applicator.