How can I tell if my dog has an ear infection? He keeps scratching around his ear. Are there any ear-drops I can give him, or will it go away on its own?
If the dog is shaking its head to one side, scratching or rubbing it on the ground or rug, there's a pretty good chance that something is wrong. Floppy-earred dogs are prone to ear infections. Just look inside and you might see a brownish/rusty colored buildup. It may also give off an odor.
There are a number of OTC ear drops for dogs. Xymox is a recommended brand. However, I've found that the prescription drops prescribed from my vet work the fastest . My dog gets yeasty ears and they've become fully infected, which is very painful for the dog.
The best thing to do is clean your dog's ears out on a regular basis. Get instructions from your vet on the proper method. Don't ever put a Q-tip down your dog's ear. Cotton balls are safer.
If your dog's ear is infected, it most likely will have a bad smell and will have discharge that is more than just wax. It can be cream-colored or dark, depending on what is causing the infection. Ear cleaning solution will help, but only medication from your vet will actually treat the infection. Without treatment, the infection will get worse and damage your dog's ear, possibly to the point of the infection spreading inside your dog's head and neck. I highly recommend you take him to a vet.
A dog will constantly be scratching its ear. Also, if you take a tissue and rub it in its ear, and foul smelling browny-red gunk comes out, then an ear infection is likely. The only sure fire way is to take the dog to a vet
I would go find something at a pet-smart to make sure it doesn't get worse