Ear infections are unfortunately very common in dogs and can lead to pain, hematoma, balance and coordination issues and in severe cases facial paralysis! The chances of an ear infection going away on its own is very low so treatment is necessary which you will need to consult with your veterinarian on.
In this post we were going to discuss causes and prevention.
Allergies are often the number 1 cause of ear infections. Often allergies will lead to inflammation and the inflammation can specifically target your pup's ear. When the ear canal is inflamed it becomes more narrow which is the perfect condition for bacteria build up.
Excess moisture from a day at the lake or over cleaning the ears are all known to create the perfect moist environment for bacteria and yeast to thrive in.
Diet is a big factor in ear infections. Yeast naturally occurs in the ear but a kibble diet is full of carbohydrates, carbs create sugar which feeds yeast which can lead to a yeast overgrowth.
Lastly, medications, particularly antibiotics and anti-yeast meds, destroy the good bacteria in the gut, leading to long-term chronic disease, including recurring ear infections. Internal ear medications do the same to the skin microbiome, leaving it vulnerable to chronic yeast and bacteria.
Ensuring your dog is fed a diet that they do not have sensitivities to is imperative in preventing dysbiosis, which will allow yeast in the microbiome to grow out of control which will cause skin issues including ear infections. Here at Poochie Moochie Edmonton we recommend raw food. Kibble can lead to allergies and with a long list of ingredients it can be hard to pinpoint the cause.
If your dog doesn't have any ear issues then you should clean their ears once a month using an ear cleaner that contains natural ingredients. Floppy ear dogs are more prone to ear issues due to the lack of air flow which creates a moist environment, it is extra imperative that their microbiome is not being harmed.
The gut is responsible for 80% of the immune system. The main component of a healthy gut is the bacteria that live there.
Which is why a probiotic is highly recommended in any dog's diet. Adored Beast Gut Soothe has a blend of herbs and pre and probiotics that soothe and replenish the lining of the bowel while fighting yeast and combatting unhealthy bacteria. Having a strong immune system is the best thing to ward off harmful bacteria while working to ensure maximum nutritional absorption.
Come to Poochie Moochie Edmonton for help on keeping your dogs healthy or contact us here with any questions.