Can Thyroid Problems Cause Ear Infections In Dogs?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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Hypothyroid dogs often have ear infections

and show ear pain, redness, and odor. Hypothyroid dogs may also develop skin infections that may be itchy and result in sores on the body.

What foods cause ear infections in dogs?


An excess of grain and/or sugar

in the diet is a common causes of ear infections in dogs. Sugar feeds the yeast already in the body and causes an overgrowth, which results in the dark, yeasty-smelling buildup inside the ears.

What can you do for chronic ear infections in dogs?

Some type of maintenance otic therapy is usually required, such as a cleaning and drying agent (to keep the ear canal free of wax buildup), antimicrobial ear cleaners (eg, for recurrent ear infections), and sometimes topical glucocorticoids (for severe hyperplasia or stenosis, when surgery is not an option).

What are the symptoms of a dog with an ear infection?

  • Scratching or Pawing at the Ear. …
  • Head Tilt and Shaking. …
  • Loss of Balance. …
  • Strong Odor from the Ear. …
  • Swelling and Redness of the Ear. …
  • Oozing from the Ear. …
  • Contact us about dog ear infections.

Why wont my dogs ear infection go away?

There can be many reasons your dog continues to get recurrent ear infections.

The most common cause is allergies, which are usually caused by food or environmental allergies

. But we’ll focus on those later. Endocrine (hormonal) disease can also be a trigger for recurrent otitis.

Can dogs be prone to ear infections?


Basset Hounds, Chinese Shar Peis and Labradoodles top the list when it comes to the dog breeds most prone to ear infections

.

What is the brown stuff in my dog’s ears?

A waxy, yellow, or reddish-brown ear discharge can also be a sign your dog has an

ear infection

, which can be a result of allergies, mites, polyps, overproduction of ear wax, excessive bathing or swimming (which can leave too much moisture in the ears), or other problems.

How can I treat my dog’s ear infection without going to the vet?


Apple cider vinegar works by killing both yeast and bacteria

. Use a mixture of 50% organic apple cider vinegar and 50% water, soak a cotton ball and clean your dog’s ears. If you notice your dog in pain or her ears drying out too much, discontinue use and see your vet.

Can Chicken cause ear infections in dogs?

Dogs that suffer from allergies, either environmental, such as pollens (grasses, trees and weeds), dust mites, molds or food (beef, chicken, fish, soy, etc.) are predisposed to ear infections.

Does yogurt help with dog ear infections?

Greek yogurt is particularly helpful for dogs taking antibiotics, which kill off some of the good bacteria in a dog’s gut.

The probiotics in Greek yogurt also fight yeast infections, which can help dogs with recurring ear or skin infections

.

How do I know if my dogs ear infection is fungal or bacterial?

  1. Brown, yellow, or bloody discharge.
  2. Odor.
  3. Redness or swelling.
  4. Crusted skin on the ear flap.
  5. Loss of hair around the ear.
  6. Head shaking or tilting.
  7. Loss of balance.
  8. Loss of hearing.

What do vets give dogs for ear infections?


Antibiotics (such as amoxicillin-clavulanate, enrofloxacin, clindamycin, or cefpodoxime)

will be used for a bacterial infection for 6-8 weeks minimum. If the infection is fungal in nature, an anti-fungal medication (most often itraconazole) will be prescribed.

How does apple cider vinegar help a dog’s ear infection?


Dilute the apple cider vinegar with some water, just a small capfull to about twice as much water, and pour directly into the ear

. Try to let it sit for as long as your dog will allow, scratching and rubbing the ear to help it get deep down into the ear canal.

Do dogs with floppy ears get more ear infections?


Floppy-eared dogs like Cocker Spaniels, Basset Hounds, and other long-eared dogs tend to have more ear infections than dogs with upright ears

. So do dogs who swim a lot. In both cases, it’s because they have too much moisture trapped in their ears, leading to formation and growth of bacteria.

How do you get black gunk out of a dog’s ear?

To clean the ears, tilt your dog’s head downward with one hand and squirt a gentle cleanser recommended by your veterinarian into the ear, filling the canal. Holding the ear closed, give it a nice massage, really squishing the cleanser around in there. That softens any gunk inside.

How do you get brown gunk out of a dog’s ear?

Instead, simply

wipe the outer ear with a cotton ball

. Continue to inspect your dog’s ears regularly. If you notice any brown discharge starting to appear, apply a bit of vet-approved canine ear cleaning solution, available at any pet supply store.

How do you get the gunk out of a dog’s ear?


Squeeze a veterinarian-approved ear-cleaning solution to fill your dog’s ear canal and massage gently at the base of the ear for about 30 seconds

. You will hear a squishing sound as the product dislodges debris and buildup. Don’t let the tip of the applicator touch your dog’s ear, as this can introduce bacteria.

Will dog ear infection go away on its own?


In most cases, a dog’s ear infection will not go away on its own

. What’s worse, if you wait too long to treat the ear infection, it can become much more difficult to get under control. An untreated ear infection can lead to chronic issues, hearing loss, and sometimes the need for expensive surgery.

Can probiotics help dog ear infections?


Using Probiotics alongside antibiotics is a great way to keep your dog’s gut balanced and help prevent them from becoming even more sick

. For less severe infections, your vet may perform a thorough clean on the ear and show you how you can do so too.

Jasmine Sibley
Author
Jasmine Sibley
Jasmine is a DIY enthusiast with a passion for crafting and design. She has written several blog posts on crafting and has been featured in various DIY websites. Jasmine's expertise in sewing, knitting, and woodworking will help you create beautiful and unique projects.