Cocker spaniel ear infection is a significant concern for any fur parent worrying about their pooch’s health. Since this breed’s ears are long, floppy, and hang low to the ground, they tend to build up moisture, which fosters yeast growth.
Ear infections thrive in the dark and moist ear canal, making it the breeding ground for infectious microorganisms. Therefore, keeping the ears clean and stopping the infection before it gets worse is key to protecting your cocker.
Cocker spaniel ear infection causes
If your cocker spaniel is suffering from an ear infection, it’s crucial to uncover what’s causing it. There are several reasons that lead to health issues on the ears, including:
- too low-hanging ears
- narrow ear canal
- diet
- genetics
- poor hygiene
- foreign object in the ear
- food allergy
- medication side effect
- ear mites
- poor ear flow
- water entering the ear
- hematoma
While unclean and poorly maintained ears can likely cause ear infections, your cocker spaniel can have this health issue for different reasons. For instance, poor airflow due to a narrow ear canal can lead to an infection. Additionally, chronic ear diseases caused by yeast in dogs are typically secondary to food allergies.
Signs and symptoms of ear infection
Your cocker can look healthy but still be riddled with an ear infection. You can watch out for several tell-tale signs that can indicate the presence of an illness in their hearing organ.
Pain, a classic symptom of infectious diseases, could be less evident in dogs than humans. Cockers could hide pain convincingly, making it harder for you to identify whether they have an ear problem or not.
These are some known signs and symptoms of a cocker spaniel ear infection:
- foul odor
- frequent ear scratching or rubbing
- head tilting
- head shaking
- deafness
- running their head on carpets or furniture
- swelling or redness in the ear canal
Treating the cocker spaniel ear infections
So, How to treat ear infections? It is crucial to detect infection early so that your dog can get better quickly. You can follow this guide if you ever notice your cocker being bothered by their ears.
1. Observe cocker spaniels to prevent ear infections.
Your cocker spaniel will display obvious signs of discomfort if they have an ear infection. They might scratch their ear, shake their head, or flinch when touched around their ears or head. Then consider these as ear infection symptoms. Your dog might cry out when doing these actions. Additionally, they may also use the furniture to rub their ear.
When they shake their head excessively, it may result in an aural hematoma, which is large blood clotting in the ear.
2. Watch out for foul odors
Ear infections in dogs often produce a strong and foul odor. If your cocker allows you to touch his ear, you can try lifting the flap and take a sniff. If an unpleasant smell reaches your nose, it could be an indication of an infection. Certain microorganisms like the Pseudomonas give off a swampy or pond water-like smell.
3. Look inside the ear
Aside from checking for foul odor, you can also examine the ear for any signs of an infection. The ears would likely be red and swollen. The skin surrounding the ear area may also be scaly.
If the cocker spaniel ear infection is caused by mites, you won’t be able to see the tiny creature but it will leave some signs. The irritation will be evident on the skin, forming dark bumps resembling coffee grounds.
4. Check for discharges
Your cocker’s ears might also produce discharge when infected, depending on the causative agent (i.e., bacteria, mites, or yeast). It may vary inconsistency in colors, such as brown or yellow. For example, mite infestations could produce brown and crumbly discharge, while Pseudomonas infections produce greenish or yellowish pus. Sometimes, the discharge may be bloody and waxy.
5. Visit the vet for cocker spaniel ear infections cure
The best way to treat a cocker spaniel ear problem is by choosing an expert pet vet and consulting them. Your veterinarian can treat outer, middle, or inner ear infections, which could be dangerous for your dog if ignored. These experts can assess and diagnose your cocker properly to create the right treatment plan.
The vet uses an otoscope, a piece of equipment that helps them see better in the ear, and takes samples for analysis. If there is pain, they may give your cocker sedatives before the examination. Suspected ear infections due to food allergies will prompt the vet to do a food trial to identify which food is the cause.
Cleaning and treating the infection
Your veterinarian will perform the first ear cleaning and provide instructions for what you need to do at home. They might anesthetize your dog if the infection is severe. Often, the vet will not recommend that you clean your cocker spaniel’s ears yourself, but only give medication as prescribed.
The vet might order antibiotics or antifungals, depending on the type of ear infection. These medicines can be given as ear drops or per oral. If the disease is chronic or found in the middle ear, your vet will likely recommend oral medication.
If there is mite infestation, the vet will prescribe flea preventatives, which will kill the ear mites.
Following up
A few days after proper ear cleaning of your Cocker Spaniels and administering medication, your vet might schedule your cocker spaniel for a follow-up checkup. The next visit will determine whether the current ear infection treatment plan is working, or if additional diagnostic tests are required.
Tips for owners
- Maintain your dog’s hygiene. You can ask your vet to demonstrate the right way of cleaning your cocker’s ears. Use the appropriate cleaning solution recommended by the vet and be careful not to touch the tip of the bottle to the ears.
- It is essential to prepare an emergency kit for any kind of accidental incident. You can consult with an animal vet on what to include in the first-aid kit
- Use only vet-approved products. Cocker spaniel ear infections home remedy that is vinegar-based can do more harm than good for your pooch. It could cause irritation, swelling, and increased secretions that can lead to reinfection.
- Follow the vet’s instructions religiously. You must be careful in treating your cocker spaniel ear infection. It’s crucial to do exactly what the veterinarian says, especially with how the medicine is supposed to be given. If administering antibiotics, you must complete the course even if your cocker stops showing signs of infection.
When you have a cocker spaniel or planning to adopt a new one, ensuring their health means managing their cleanliness and seeking professional help when needed. Issues like ear infections are preventable with proper hygiene, diet, and ensuring their overall positive disposition.
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