How To Treat Dog Ear Yeast Infections

Posted on: 30 December 2014

If your dog commonly shakes his head or scratches his ears, then he may have an ear infection. Ear infections can be caused by yeast, bacteria, and allergies. An animal doctor at a veterinary clinic can tell you what has caused the condition. Antibiotics are often provided for bacterial infections and antihistamines are given for allergic conditions. If your dog has an overgrowth of yeast in his ears, then a thorough cleaning will be performed to get rid of the fungi. Yeast infections can return though, and this means you need to provide a great deal of ear care at home. Keep reading to find out how to keep dog ear yeast infections at bay.

Boost the Immune System

If your dog is unhealthy with a compromised immune system, then the fungi that reside in the ear will take advantage of your dog's poor health. The microorganisms will then grow uncontrollably in the ear and your dog's immune system will be unable to control the growth. If your dog is healthy, then this is far less likely to occur. To boost your dog's health, consider feeding him foods with antioxidants.

Antioxidants are compounds that help prevent cell damage. They also help to repair cells and they reduce free radicals in the body that can cause tissue damage. Foods with antioxidants that are safe to feed your dog include red, kidney, and pinto beans. Potatoes also contain a good deal of vitamins that can increase your dog's health.

Clean Your Dog

Another good way to boost your dog's immune system is to make sure he is clean. Bacteria and other microorganisms live across the surface of the skin, and the immune system must work hard to fight these microorganisms. When the immune system works to kill the intruders, then they do not have enough time or energy to reduce the fungi in the ears. Removing some of the external bacteria can help to free up the immune system to complete more important tasks. You should not wash your dog too often though, or this may cause skin issues. Your dog may need a bath once a week or once a month. Ask your veterinarian for bathing advice, because the breed of your dog will determine the number of baths he needs.

Make sure to purchase a mild dog shampoo before you give your canine a bath. These shampoos will not remove the protective layer of oil from your dog's skin like human shampoos can.

Remove the Ear Yeast

Your dog's ears will contain some yeast, regardless of how well they are treated. The ears are dark, moist, and warm, and these conditions are ideal for fungi growth. This means that you need to remove and kill some of the fungi on occasion to make sure they do not have the ability to grow uncontrollably in the ears. To get rid of the fungi, clean your dog's ears first. Use a damp washcloth and a small amount of mild hand soap to get rid of the debris that sits just inside the ear. Make sure to get rid of wax, ear mite feces, dead skin cells, and other debris you see.

Use Tea Tree Oil

After you clean out the debris, mix about one teaspoon of tea tree oil with two tablespoons of olive oil. Use a clean cloth to spread the oil mixture around the inside of the ear. Also, pour about one-quarter of a teaspoon of the oil inside the ear canal. Rub the ear with your fingers to make sure the fluid covers the inside of the ear completely. Tea tree oil has antibacterial and antimicrobial properties. This means it will naturally kill the fungi and bacteria that live inside the ear. The oil is also safe for your dog, but you need to dilute it because pure essential oils can cause some health problems.

If your dog has problems with his ears, then he may have an ear infection. A proper examination by a veterinarian at a place like Pet Medical Center – Full Service Veterinary Care is required to determine the type of and cause of the medical difficulty. If the ear infection is caused by yeast, then make sure to boost your dog's immune system and clean out the ears properly to control the condition.

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