My dog keeps scratching his ear, what could it be?
By Tasha from Reading, PA
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It could be an ear mite infection or another type of ear infection. You need to have a vet diagnose and prescribe appropriate, medication. Infections should be taken very seriously. If left untreated, they can lead to seizures, other health ailments, and/or potentially, death. Hope your pooch feels better soon.
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My dog is constantly scratching and growling at his ears. I've checked for fleas, but cannot find any. What could be the problem?
By suzanne dannielle turrell from Manchester
It is probably two things, ear mites and then an ear infection. If you take him to the vet and ask for them to check his ears for whatever kind of antibiotic he needs and mite meds, then it won't cost much. Then tell them you can only pay twenty or so dollars today, but you will bring the rest in later that month. It is always a good idea to set up a little envelope in the house and put money in it for the animals. I have increased the amount of money I spend on the animals in our house by buying the more expensive food with meat, not meat by products in the first four ingredients, and I have started a savings account for their flea prevention. There are some good ideas for home remedies, but these are not to replace the vet, but to use before you can get to the vet.
Check out: earthclinic.com.
It is really easier to take them to the vet, and quicker, and that way they get used to going to the vet's and you are happier in the long run, too.
Blessings,
Robyn (09/13/2010)
By Robyn Fed
It's time for a visit to his veterinarian. (09/14/2010)
By Sherri
He may have a yeast infection. My dog has had yeast infections. The vet gave us some ear wash and drops, which helped a lot. (09/14/2010)
By Marcie
The only person who can make a diagnosis of your dog's ear is the veterinarian and if the animal is shaking it's head together with scratching this could be "ear hematoma" and if this is the case the ear will only get worse without immediate treatment. (09/14/2010)
By NEWFIEGIRL
Why does my dog scratch at his ears all the time and make them bleed?
By Tonya Martin from Hagerstown, MD
I have a 4 year old Pit-Lab mix,that is constantly licking his ears, he too has made them bleed. They get really dry and swollen, I found that if I put Baby Vaseline inside his earlobes and all around the inside his ears, it helps. (09/05/2009)
By Jamar
Your dog probably has ear mites. You can buy ear mite medicine over the counter or you can take your dog to the vet and get prescription medicine. If left untreated, ear mites can cause infection. (09/06/2009)
Like my dog, he also has ear allergies. I started him on an all natural dog food and I make his all natural treats. He has not had another episode. Hope this helps. (09/09/2009)
By Karen
It could be one of two things, starrnheaven. It might be earmites or may be an allergy. either way both need attention. Please bring your dog to the vet to confirm which it is. Then you are certain which one you are dealing with. My Sheltie, Jewel, had this problem and it was allergies. Once on the medicated ear drops she was fine. I only needed to treat seasonally.
(09/09/2009)
By Elaine
My vet cleaned my dog's ears, and sent me home with a bottle of ear flush and some ointment. Problem solved.
Jennifer
Northern VA (09/16/2009)
My dog does not have an ear infection. He just keeps scratching his ears and making them red, bloody and swollen. I can't afford to keep taking him to the vet, because he has allergies and keeps scratching himself raw. Any suggestions? He is on an allergy-free food. I tried putting socks on him. Nothing works. What do you do with a dog with floppy ears that keeps scratching at them raw?
wacky camper
My dog does that and she has a yeast infection in her ears that is caused by allergies. The vet can tell by doing a scraping and checking under the microscope. Benadryl helps, but you have to know the right amount for your size dog. I just ordered Zymox Enzymatic Solution online.
By Loretta B.
There is a site www.earthclinic.com that has some suggestions you might try. Also Jim Zim's site (google it). A visit to the vet is in order to determine the cause (mites, bacterial, yeast, allergies). Do you feed a good food? Vitamins? Supplements? If not, start. This is usually an immmune-deficiency problem. Also could try adding some apple cider vinegar to the dog's water bowl. Introduce raw meat, vegetables, and fruits to the diet. A drop or two of almond oil soothes the inflammation, apply topically. (01/27/2009)
If you've been to the vet and it's not an infection, it could be a yeast infection. There's a liquid medicine you can get from your vet to help with it. You squirt it on a cotton ball and wipe the inside of the ears to kill the yeast. It's called DermaPet. I think you can also get it from Doctors Foster and Smith online. You should give your dog generic Benadryl, too. That will reduce the itching and frantic need to scratch. Our dog is 55 lbs. and we give her two capsules twice a day when she gets allergies.
Good luck.
Lee in Florida (01/28/2009)
By Lee Taylor
I agree with the possibility of ear mites as well, but we have a female Boxer that constantly scratches her behind and the vet could find no problem. We use Hydrocortisone cream and Benadryl which seems to help. Also if you get a prescription for your pooch, ask the vet to call it in to the local pharmacy, they don't like to do it, but usually will if you ask. It could save lots $$$. A prescription that I was paying $70 for at the vet was 5.99 at the pharmacy.
Hope this helps.
(01/28/2009)
By Jodi from IA
My dachshund always suffers ear mites which makes them scratch. I use tea tree oil mixed with olive oil. Use 2 drops of tea tree to 1 teaspoon of olive oil pour into ear and massage well. Do this twice a day. Result happy dog. Good luck. (01/28/2009)
By gerar q
If you've had the vet check, then read this; if your dog has been scratching for a long time, it gets to be a "learned habit". Much like O.C.D. in people. My dog was doing this, and kept ripping her ears open from the scratching. I tried everything. Then the vet put her on a mild tranquilizer called "clomicalm". It worked wonders. No more scratching. And the pills are really tiny, so no problems giving them to her. Ask your vet. (01/28/2009)
By Dena Roberts
My Scottie has allergies also, and trust me, the hypo allergenic dog food the vet will sell you also has things dogs can be allergic to. My dog happens to be allergic to soy products, chicken by products, carrots, salmon, and cod. Did the vet run a blood panel on him to tell you exactly what he's allergic to? We've finally found a wonderful medicine call Atopica. Given once a week and no more scratching, hair loss or yucky yeast infections in his ears.
The Vet Allergist did tell us that dogs that have allergies (and even some that have been on prednisone and such for allergies) can have recurring yeast infections. We keep a standing prescription for an ear wash and cream to use on him at the first sign of a problem.
Most vets (especially if it's your regular vet) will take payment plans. If they're half their weight in salt they also don't like to see a pet suffer. Talk to them. If they're not willing to work with you on your pet's problem find one that will (perhaps there's a college in your area with a Vet program?). A vet without compassion for a pet in pain doesn't need a license.
(02/03/2009)
By Jeri
I am having the same problem with my little beagle, Ella. The vet says it is allergies, but when she scratches so much it turns into an infection. We are trying Omega 3 amino acids. Basically, those are fish oil or flax seed oil. I am using a powder I sprinkle on her food. So far so good. She would go for a while then it would always come back, but since we have been doing this, she has not had any problems. Good luck.
TC in Mo (02/09/2009)
By Timmie
