Knowing that your dog may have an ear infection is a huge worry for a pet parent. Ear infection in dogs is a common health issue among pet owners, especially if you have a dog with floppy ears.
Fortunately, there are several things you can do to identify an ear infection and treat it so that your dog is as comfortable as possible. Garlic oil is one of the most effective, and I will be guiding you on how to prepare garlic oil for your dog’s ear infection.
Ear Infection In Dogs
Due to the design of their ear canals, dogs are prone to ear infections. The horizontal and vertical components in the long ear canal create some kind of L or J shape that easily traps debris and can then lead to ear infections in dogs.
Your dog may be affected by one of three types of ear infections. Otitis externa, otitis media, and otitis interna are examples of these infections. The most frequent type of ear infection in dogs is otitis externa. This type of infection sees the outer layer of cells that line the exterior portion of the ear canal affected by inflammation.
Otitis externa is the first sign that your dog has an ear infection. If left untreated, the infection can spread to the middle and inner ear canals, resulting in otitis media or otitis internal, respectively.
It’s critical to treat your puppy before the infection spreads to their inner ear canal. Ear infection in dogs does not usually go away on their own. Instead, it becomes much more difficult to manage if left untreated.
Untreated ear infections can lead to long-term problems like hearing loss, and the need for costly surgery.
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Symptoms Of Dog Ear Infection
Some dogs show no signs of ear infection other than a buildup of wax and discharge in the ear canal. Ear infections, on the other hand, can be extremely painful for dogs, who may exhibit symptoms such as:
- Scratched or rubbed the ear
- Head shaking
- Head cocked in one direction.
- When their ear is touched, they react negatively.
- Earflaps that are red or scabby
- Reddish-brown discharge with a sour odor
- Visible Wax accumulation
- Excessive scratching causes hair loss in the ear.
Ear infections, if left untreated, can lead to balance problems and hearing loss. If you detect any of these severe signs or your dog is in a lot of pain, you should take him to the vet right away, but if it’s still early on, you can cure it with homemade remedies.
Causes Of Ear Infection In Dogs
Some types of dogs are predisposed to infections and yeast development because their longer ear flaps produce an internal ear environment that is dark and wet, ideal for yeast and bacteria growth.
Food (or environmental) allergies could be the culprit if both ears are affected. What foods cause ear infections in dogs? Foods with an abundance of sugar in the diet cause ear infections in dogs. Sugar feeds the yeast already present in the body, leading to overgrowth and the black, yeasty-smelling deposit inside the ears.
Ear problems are more common in dogs who spend time in lakes, oceans, and swimming pools. In such cases, the best thing is to gently dry the ears with a gentle towel or cotton wool to remove any remaining moisture.
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Garlic Oil as Homemade Treatment For Dog Ear Infection
Garlic oil can be used to treat a dog’s ear infection. Garlic has long been used as a natural treatment for earaches, infections, and tinnitus. Garlic has antibacterial, antiviral, and antifungal effects, among other things.
It also possesses pain-relieving and anti-inflammatory effects. Garlic, when consumed, can aid a dog’s immune system and combat infection. Garlic applied topically can help relieve earache and ear infection pain.
How To Prepare Garlic Oil For Your Dog
To make your garlic oil, you’ll require the following:
- One garlic clove, peeled.
- Two to four tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil
- Small frying pan
- Dropper or small glass jar with a lid
- Pieces of cotton
- Strainer
Method
- Peel the garlic clove.
- Roughly slice or crush the garlic to open it up.
- Mix the garlic and olive oil in a small unheated skillet or saucepan.
- Turn on the stove to heat the garlic and oil mixture. The oil bubbling or burning is an indicator that the heat is high.
- Swirl the mixture around the pan till the fragrance is very strong.
- Remove the pan from the heat and allow the garlic-oil mixture to cool.
- Strain the mixture to separate the oil from the garlic bits and store the garlic oil in a jar.
Directions For Use
The dog with an ear infection should be lying down with the infected ear facing up. Put two or three drops of garlic oil in the dog’s ear. Place a piece of cotton over the ear’s entrance just enough to prevent oil from seeping out.
The dog receiving treatment should remain in the same position for 10 to 15 minutes. Alternatively, soak a piece of cotton in the oil and place it slightly inside the ear canal, so the oil seeps in.
The remaining oil should be kept in the glass jar in the refrigerator and used as needed.
Risk Of Using Garlic Ear Oil For Dogs
Using garlic or garlic-based products on your dog’s skin might cause skin irritation or chemical burns. Before administering your homemade cure to your dog’s infected ear, test it on a small patch, preferably the dog’s skin.
If your dog experiences tingling, burning, or discomfort, or you observe redness where the oil was applied, wash the area well with soap and water and go in search of another alternative.
Conclusion On Garlic Oil For Ear Infection In Dogs
Garlic oil isn’t the sole option for a home cure. You can treat your dog’s infected ears with a diluted apple cider vinegar solution. Apple cider vinegar works as a cleaner as well as an antifungal and antibacterial agent.
Using this lightly in your dog’s ears can help clean out the insides and treat the infection. Garlic and other natural medicines can help your dog feel better in a short time.
How can I treat my dog's ear infection at home?
If you have been wondering about an effective way of treating ear infections for your dog at home, or if It is even possible. Here we are telling you, yes it is possible and the use of essential oil mixed with distilled water, colloidal silver, and green is a great remedy. Apple cider and garlic oil, well prepared have also been proven to be effective.
Will dog ear infection go away on its own?
The short answer will be "NO".
A prolonged ear infection, if not treated will result in serious damage to your dog's ear canal. Rather than wait for an ear infection to go away on its own, please take your dog to the veterinarian.
Is apple cider vinegar good for dog ear infections?
Apple cider vinegar is one of the home remedies any dog owner can use for the treatment of ear infections in dogs. Apple cider vinegar acts as a cleanser, an antifungal agent as well as an antibacterial agent when used for the treatment of ear infections in dogs.
What foods cause ear infections in dogs?
While most breeds of dogs are more susceptible to ear infections, allergies and food can cause ear infections too.
An excess of sugar in a dog's diet, as well as grains, can cause ear infections. Sugar aids the growth of yeast causing a build-up of dark yeasty-smelling substance in the ear.
Supplementing your dog's meal and feeding a naturally processed meal, as well as grain free meal will help.
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