Effective Remedies for Itchy Ears in Dogs: Pet Medical

When a little dog is constantly scratching its ears or shaking its head, it might be due to a variety of reasons, such as foreign objects in the ear canal, parasitic infections, bacterial/fungal infections, and more. It's crucial to promptly examine your dog's ears and address the issue to prevent the situation from worsening.

What to Do When Your Dog Keeps Scratching Its Ears?

1. Inspect Your Dog's Ears

Firstly, observe for any unusual symptoms in your dog's ears, such as redness, hair loss on the ear flaps, discharge, excessive black secretions, or an unpleasant odor. If there are no signs of issues, you can start by administering deworming medication and then keep a close watch.

2. Seek Veterinary Care

If you notice any abnormal symptoms, it's essential to consult a veterinarian immediately for a proper diagnosis. Many factors can lead to ear infections in dogs, such as ear mites, bacterial infections, and yeast infections, which can be difficult to distinguish with the naked eye and often require professional assessment.

3. Clean Your Dog's Ears

Use a petspecific ear cleaner to wash your dog's ears, removing earwax and ear canal secretions to alleviate inflammation and discomfort.

How to Do It:

① Gently drop the ear cleaner into your dog's ear and massage the base of the ear for about a minute to allow the liquid to penetrate and soften the earwax;

② Release your dog and let it shake its head to expel the liquid;

③ Roll a medical cotton ball into a ball shape, use a hemostat to hold it, and wipe away the liquid and earwax that come out.

4. Control the Scratching Behavior

Quickly put an Elizabethan collar on your dog and trim its nails to prevent excessive scratching, which can lead to hair loss, skin damage, and infections.

About Medication

Depending on the cause, treatment may require the following medications:

● Ear Cleaners

Dogs' ear canals are quite sensitive, so if they have ear mites or inflammation, the skin becomes even more delicate. Therefore, a gentle ear cleaner is necessary, such as Erfei Fen (Pet Ear Care Solution). For regular cleaning, use it once or twice a week, and for ear infections, use it every 1 to 3 days.

● Ear Drops or Ointments

Choose different ear medications based on the cause. Common drugs include:

1. Xin'er Ning (Combination Nystatin Ointment): Contains nystatin, neomycin sulfate, chlorfenapyr, and triamcinolone acetonide, offering mitekilling, itching relief, inflammation reduction, and swelling reduction. It's effective for ear mites, bacteria, fungi, and mixed infections.

2. Er Di Ke (Fluoroquinolone Moxifloxacin Ear Drops): Used for bacterial and fungal ear infections, providing good antiinflammatory and antibacterial effects.

3. Neomycin sulfate ear oil: A broadspectrum antibacterial ear drop, mainly used for bacterial otitis media.

4. Miconazole nitrate ear drops: An antifungal medication, suitable for otitis media caused by Malassezia or other fungi.

● Deworming Medication

For ear miterelated itching, it's crucial to deworm regularly. Ear mites can be treated with deworming medications containing ivermectin, selamectin, pyriproxyfen, and moxidectin.

● Antihistamines

For severe itching, which may be related to skin allergies, consider taking antihistamines such as Newmeino (Chlorphenamine Maleate Tablets). Also, identify and avoid allergens to prevent recurrence.

● Antibiotics

For severe ear infections, systemic antibiotics may be necessary to control the infection. Common drugs include:

1. Amoxicillin and Clavulanate Potassium

2. Aisuoda (Cefahexime Hydrazide Tablets)

In summary, when dealing with a dog's itchy ears, it's vital to identify the cause before taking targeted action. If you're unable to determine the cause yourself, it's best to consult a veterinarian or visit a pet hospital to avoid making the situation worse through improper handling or medication.