Ear infections in Canines can be very serious.

Some dogs are predisposed to ear infections. I have two West Highland White Terriers. One of them gets ear infections all the time the other one, never.

My vet says Spooky (the one who never gets ear infections) has the hairiest ears he has ever seen and is always looking for infections but he never gets them. Neither of us know the answer as to why he never gets allergies and why my little dog Ellie always seems to have them.

She doesn’t have hairy ears at all but she is plagued with ear infections. So if your dog is like Ellie here are some tips to keep those infections from getting out of control.

Check your dogs ears about once a week to look for these signs of ear infections.

1. ear odor
2. redness
3. swelling
4. sores
5. crusty inflammation
6. broken cartilage
7. ears that droop when they shouldn’t
8. dogs that try to scratch their ears
9. dogs who constantly shake their heads (this might be more serious condition so check with your vet)

Dog ear infections, if not treated can even cause loss of hearing. So talk to your vet and get some medication to cure the infection. Most vets prescribe Panalog or Dermavet. Ask to buy a large tube from your vet. Convince him you know what a ear infection looks and smells like and treat your dog every time the infection reaccures.

Ear infections come back time and again with some dogs and having this medicine on a Friday night at 5:30 certainly can stop the infection from getting worse and save you some money and a vet trip for a problem that you recognise and can treat. Now this being said make sure it is OK with your vet and that he trusts you to be able to recognize and treat ear infections.

Further information about dog allergies can be found at this site