Quick Cure for Labrador Ear Inflammation: 5-Day Success
Last week, after giving my Lhasa Apso a bath, I inadvertently overlooked drying its ears properly, which led to a case of otitis externa, or an inflamed ear due to water trapped inside. Initially, I had noticed it scratching and shaking its head, thinking it might have been bitten by mosquitoes, so I didn't pay much attention.
Two days later, I noticed that the dog's ears seemed to have a bloodred discharge and a foul smell. I wiped them with a wet wipe, and the next morning, after using an ear cleaning solution, I returned home to find that the inflammation had begun. The ear flaps were particularly red, and the inside was damp and uncomfortable, leaving me baffled.
After some research on Baidu, I learned that it could be either ear mites or a bacterial otitis externa. Not wanting to take any chances, I consulted a friend at the pet store, who suggested it was more likely a bacterial otitis externa. She recommended using ear cleaning solution and an antibiotic to treat it. After a week of online purchases and treatment, my dog's ears were completely healed!
To help other pet parents who might face a similar situation, I thought it would be helpful to detail the steps we took:
1. First, ensure your dog is wearing an Elizabethan collar to prevent it from scratching its ears.
2. Use a gentle pet ear cleaning solution. I initially used a solution that was a bit harsh, causing the dog to scratch more, and the condition worsened over the day. I then switched to Pu'An Tai's "Er Fen Fen (Pet Ear Care Solution)" which was completely nonirritating.
Ear Cleaning Technique: Gently hold your dog's head with one arm, pull back the ear, and drop 23 drops of the ear cleaning solution into the ear canal. Gently massage the base of the ear to distribute the solution evenly. Release your dog, allowing it to shake out the solution and earwax. Then, clean the area with a cotton swab or soft cloth.
3. Apply a thin layer of "Xin'er Ning (Bifungal Miconazole Soft Cream)", which is effective against bacteria, fungi, and ear mites. The results were quite good after using it.
4. Administer "Aisuoda (Cefahydroxamycin Tablets)" as an oral antibiotic, once a day. Since my dog's condition wasn't severe, I only gave it the medication for two days.
5. Continue the medication for an additional 23 days after the redness in the ears subsides to reinforce the healing. Afterward, maintain a regular cleaning schedule every 12 weeks to prevent future issues.
Although the treatment process went smoothly this time, seeing my dog's inflamed and swollen ears was quite frightening. Therefore, it's crucial to ensure that your dog's fur is completely dry after a bath, and to pay special attention to the ears, paws, and armpits – those often overlooked areas.
