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Dog Chronic Ear Infection
A dog chronic ear infection is usually has an underlying
cause. That cause is most often an allergy. The allergy must be
identified and treated along with the dog chronic ear infection. A
dog chronic ear infection makes the dog miserable and smelly and
even though it improves with treatment, it keeps coming back. The
ear tissue change to become thicker, spongier, and more
productive...that is it secretes large amounts of inflammatory glaze
and goo.
The mast cells in a dog's ears are just like the mast cells humans
have concentrated in their respiratory system that release
histamine, and other inflammatory chemicals. The itchy, inflammatory
chemicals released by the mast cells cause the glands in the ear to
over-produce ear wax and other secretions. Waxy, gooey ears then
become infected by skin bacteria which thrive in such an
environment. Bacteria grow especially well in dogs with long floppy
ears where the increased temperature in the ear canal is just right
for the bacteria to grow, multiply and a dog chronic ear infection
to develop.
The dog chronic ear infection cycle can only be broken if four
things are done simultaneously:
1. Get the underlying allergies under control.
2. Get the bacterial infection under control.
3. Get the yeast under control.
4. Get the damaged ear canal tissue to heal.
Getting the allergies under control is probably the most difficult.
This problem will have to be attacked on several fronts; flea
control, administering antihistamines and/or Omega 3 fatty acids,
possibly a food trial and even sometimes a referral to an allergy
specialist for allergy testing and desensitization.
Getting the bacterial and yeast under control is done with the use
of injectable antibiotics, oral antibiotics, and topical salves and
creams.
Cleaning the ear often will promote healing of the ear canal and as
the allergies are controlled the bacteria and yeast infections heal
the ear tissue will improve.
A dog chronic ear infection is a problem that requires rechecks by
the veterinarian and a lot of tender loving care to be administered
by the owner.
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