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I'm preserving this one page of information from my Cocker site so that people can still find this information about how to prevent and treat ear infections in their dogs. Since cocker spaniels tend to love the water their long floppy ears also help to keep the water from entering their ear canals which helps to protect them from ear infections. Because cocker spaniels have long, luscious hair, regular grooming is a key to their beauty, health, and happiness. If you don’t let the hair on your dog’s ears get super long, his ears may not trap in as much moisture, dirt, or bacteria. Trimming the hair inside the ears, however, creates less space for unwanted particles to gather and fester.
The surgery is the only thing that would cure her ear infections. Really think about it first - ear infections can be very painful for a dog. If you think your Cocker Spaniel has an ear infection, the first step is to visit the vet so that they can have their ears examined. If an ear infection is left untreated, there could be serious consequences such as lasting damage, inflammation, and hearing loss. Like some other dog breeds, Cocker Spaniels not only have a double coat but curly hair as well, especially around the ears. This means that matting is very common for Cocker Spaniels if they are not groomed properly.
Home Remedies for Dog Ear Infections
In severe and advanced cases, a vet must examine the dog, diagnose specific complications and perform lab tests. The vet may prescribe both oral and topical medications and sometimes even surgery is required. Since Cocker Spaniels get ear infections with such frequency, you’ll want to look for signsof them. Symptoms frequently include head shaking, rubbing or scratching at the ear, and ear odor may be present, especially if there’s a bacterial infection setting in. Look for redness of the skin, a colored waxy build up, or any types of crusty deposits. Any infection should be treated early so that it doesn’t progress to the delicate inner ear.
This could be a sign of a ruptured eardrum and putting fluid into the ear could do permanent harm. If you notice any of these symptoms do not clean your dog's ears and take them to see a veterinarian as soon as possible. Other dog breeds with similar ears are also susceptible to ear infections for this reason.
Excessive Cleaning
As their ears hang low over their ear canals air cannot freely circulate. This is the main reason that a Cocker Spaniel will have more ear infections than other breeds. When cleaning your dog’s ears at home, only do so when they’re healthy.
If you’ve rescued a Cocker Spaniel or your dog takes off running when ear cleanser is around, there are a few things you can do to get a dog used to having his ears cleaned. Like anal sacs in a dog, let the ears alone unless there is a problem. Ask your vet how often you should cleanse your dog’s ears. Less is more unless there is a specific reason your dog needs frequent ear cleanings. Ear infections in cocker spaniels can become chronic and so severe that the entire ear canal needs to be surgically removed. Overly frequent ear cleanings can cause ear infections.
Preventing Ear Infections in Cocker Spaniels
The American Kennel Club is a purebred dog pedigree registry in the United States. The AKC advocates for the responsible ownership of dogs and promotes purebred dog events, such as the Westminster Dog Show. I am the owner of Spaniel Advisor and I've got over seven years experience of owning Spaniels. Good ear hygiene is a great way to stay on top of your dog's ear health.
If the vet confirms a diagnosis, you’ll be prescribed at least one medication, which you’ll need to administer at home according to the directions on the packaging. You’ll also need to return to the vet’s after 5-7 days to make sure the treatment is working. If your cocker spaniel has chronic ear infections, treatment could become a financial burden. If you think your pet may have one or more of the above symptoms of dog ear infections, it's probably a good idea to take him to see his vet, who'll be able to confirm your suspicions. Cocker Spaniels are vulnerable to many different skin problems, and thus ear problems.
Internal Ear Infection
Topical ear medications are often prescribed by your vet to treat this type of infection. A Canker ear infection is classed as a fungal disease and can actually cause ulcers in dogs. For this infection to be treated you will need to book an appointment with your vet. It's likely your dog will be prescribed an ointment intended to control the bacteria or yeast. There are many reasons a Cocker Spaniel can get an otitis externa infected ear.
If your dog has had a severe ear infection for so long that the ear has calcified and sealed itself closed, you've probably waited too long to start using the ear cleaning solution. If the ear canal has sealed itself closed, the ear cleaning solution won't be able to get inside to work. You can try using the ear cleaning solution and using cotton balls and q-tips to clear out some of the major crud inside the ear. Over time, you might be able to clean things out to the point that the ear canal opens up. You wouldn't really be risking much to put the surgery off for a month and see if daily cleaning with our ear cleaning solution can accomplish anything. I did once get an email from someone who successfully cleared things up inside the ear to the point that their vet agreed that surgery was no longer needed.
It also provides a non-intoxicating dose of serenity to help your dog forget about their irritating infection. Mix equal parts pau d’arco and mineral oil and apply to the ear a couple of times a day. Pau d’arco is a natural antibiotic and will kill the bacteria that are causing the infection. Dogs with droopy ears are especially at risk if they swim.
Unfortunately, the long, floppy ears of the Cocker Spaniel combined with the silky fur that may line its ears combine to make conditions favorable to dog ear infections. We recommend preventing ear problems with regular care. For most routine ear infections, treating them early will prevent expensive and stressful vet intervention. Ear infections do not normally resolve on their own, so treating them to clear them up is essential.
Ask your vet during a regular check-up—or during an appointment to treat a pre-existing ear infection—what treatment they would recommend. Foreign companies often sell drugs and remedies containing expired or otherwise unsafe ingredients, so make sure you're buying from a reputable, government regulated company. Although nothing can be done to change the ear shape of cocker spaniels, there’s a lot you can do at home to make sure your pup’s ears stay healthy and clean. The first, of course, is to establish yourselves at a veterinarian’s office if you haven’t done so already. They can show you the best ways to clean and care for your dog’s ears.
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