Antibiotics (e.g., amoxicillin-clavulanate, enrofloxacin, clindamycin, or cefpodoxime) will be used for a bacterial infection for a minimum of six to eight weeks. If the infection is fungal, an anti-fungal medication (most often itraconazole) will be prescribed.
Treating ear infections in dogs usually consists of your vet cleaning your dog's ear with a medicated cleanser and prescribing any antibiotics or anti-inflammatory medications required. Your veterinarian may also prescribe a topical medication and instruct you on how and when to apply it to your dog's ear at home.
Amoxicillin is a first-choice antibiotic for adults with otitis media. It's typically taken by mouth 2 to 3 times daily for 5 to 10 days. Your symptoms should start to improve within 3 days after starting it. Augmentin is a common alternative if amoxicillin isn't effective.
Common Symptoms of Ear Infection in Dogs
In the meantime, there are some home remedies you can try to ease your pet's discomfort, such as a warm compress, vinegar or hydrogen peroxide ear flush, and the use of natural anti-inflammatory agents like coconut oil or aloe vera gel.
If you suspect an ear infection, call your veterinarian immediately. Don't wait until your dog is in pain or struggling with ears that won't stop itching. Don't mess around in the pet store, let your vet treat her correctly the first time.
How much does it cost to treat a dog's ear infection? The cost of ear infection treatment varies depending on your location and veterinary practice — but otitis externa treatments, which usually include the exam, ear cleaning and medicine, typically cost between $100 and $175.
Treatments include antibiotics, antifungals, and anti-mite medications that are usually applied to the skin. But if the infection has advanced to the inner ear, your veterinarian may recommend oral medications.
Most often, a dog ear infection will not go away on its own. All types of otitis require a veterinarian to evaluate the infection and the eardrum. If the eardrum is ruptured, certain cleaners and medications can be toxic to the middle ear.
Signs That Your Dog May Have A Yeast Ear Infection
If your dog has a yeast ear infection you may notice one or more of the following symptoms: Red or brown waxy discharge in the ear. Itching, scratching & pawing at the ear. A cheesy or musty smell coming from the ear.
Antibiotics are a medicine prescribed by your doctor. If you're dealing with an ear infection caused by bacteria, you'll likely need antibiotics. They are the best way of quickly getting rid of a bacterial infection and preventing it from spreading to other parts of the body.
The body's immune system can often fight off middle ear infection on its own. Antibiotics are sometimes not needed for middle ear infections. However, severe middle ear infections or infections that last longer than 2–3 days need antibiotics right away.
Can amoxicillin be purchased over the counter? No, you cannot purchase amoxicillin over the counter. You need a prescription. To reduce the risk of developing drug resistance, your doctor or healthcare provider must be convinced that you need this medication before you can get it.
Zymox: Great At-Home Treatment for Ear Infections in Dogs. Zymox is made for acute and chronic inflammation of the external ear caused by bacterial, viral, and yeast infections. It contains antibacterial, anti-fungal, and antiviral agents.
One remedy that has been successful is a homemade saline solution. Combine a teaspoon of salt with a cup of warm water and gently flush your dog's ears with the mixture. Another option is to use coconut oil, which has antifungal properties.
Do not give human amoxicillin to your dog unless it has been prescribed by your vet. Your dog will need specific doses based on their weight and may need a special type of amoxicillin. Only your veterinarian should determine the best antibiotic and dose for your dog.
With treatment in the early stages, an uncomplicated ear infection will typically clear up within just a week or two. If your dog's ear infection is more severe or is caused by an underlying health condition, treatment may be more challenging and may take months to resolve.
The ears often become red and inflamed and develop an offensive odor. A black or yellowish discharge commonly occurs. In chronic cases, the ears may appear crusty or thickened, and the ear canals often become narrowed (stenotic) due to chronic inflammation.
Sugar feeds the yeast that is naturally present in the dog's body, so when a dog consumes too much sugar, yeast overgrowth occurs in the body and around the ear folds or in the canal, causing infection.
However, some home remedies such as cleaning the ears with a gentle, vet-approved solution, and using natural remedies like tea tree oil can provide relief for milder infections.
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.
They develop inflammation in the ears, which creates an ideal environment for yeast to grow. Your dog might also have symptoms like paw biting, obsessive licking or vomiting.
Basset Hounds, Chinese Shar Peis and Labradoodles top the list when it comes to the dog breeds most prone to ear infections.
Your vet may get a swab of the discharge for culture to identify the underlying culprit - whether it's bacteria or yeast or both, and the specific species so the right medication can be given. Dogs that are prone to ear infections will benefit from a regular exam for any red flags that indicate a potential ear problem.
Although an ear infection is not a veterinary emergency, it does require medical treatment to resolve and can be painful for your pet. Ear infections commonly lead to inflammation of the outer ear, a condition called otitis externa.