byronreese
By Adrienne Farricelli
Home Remedies for Dog Ear Infections
Treat and prevent dog ear infections by feeding your dog a healty diet, keeping its ears clean and dry, and giving it vitamin supplements when necessary.
ozgary
By Adrienne Farricelli
OverviewEar infections in dogs may be quite bothersome. Affected dogs will often shake their head, scratch their ears, and paw and rub at them until they become irritated and, in some cases, even swollen. While it is highly recommended to have a veterinarian diagnose the ear condition and prescribe the appropriate medication, some home remedies may provide some relief.DietRecurrent ear infections are often attributed to a poor diet. Switching to a premium dog food or, even better, a raw diet, can often help strengthen the dog’s immune system.Keep Ears DryWhile this is not really a cure, it helps a lot if the dog’s ears are kept dry as much as possible. If a dog needs to be bathed, it is best to insert cotton balls in its ears. Wet and humid ears are just asking for bacteria to settle in.Warm CompressesHot, irritated and inflamed ears may get some relief when warm compresses are applied until they become cool.White VinegarA natural and effective ear wash that may help relieve ear infections, in particular those caused by yeast, may be obtained by diluting one part white vinegar with one part water. The wash should be applied with a cotton ball twice a day only to ears with no sores or wounds. Vinegar changes the pH of the ear, making the ear inhospitable to bacteria and yeast.Vitamin CVitamin C helps fight inflammation. According to lowchensaustralia.com, dogs weighing under 15 lbs. can take between 100 to 250 mg of vitamin C a day; dogs 15 to 50 lbs., 250 to 500 mg a day; and larger dogs up to 500 mg up to two to three times day. Dosages should be reduced if diarrhea occurs.Pau D’ArcoFor fans of herbal remedies, a herb with antibiotic properties known as pau d’arco can give relief. Equal parts of pau d’arco tincture should be mixed with mineral oil, and a few drops should be inserted in the dog’s ear two to three times a day for a few days.ResourcesreferenceLowchensaustralia.com: Natural Ear Treatments
© Copyright 2009. All Rights Reserved.
Contact Us | Terms & Conditions | Back Issues | HappyNews.com
REFERENCE/RESOURCE:
REFERENCE/RESOURCE:
REFERENCE/RESOURCE:
