- Ear Infections in Dogs, Cats -
Causes, Symptoms, Natural Herbal Remedies, Treatments
- A Guide -
- A Guide -
In this article…
1.0 Causes and Types of Ear Infections
1.1 Acute Infection
1.2 Chronic Infection
1.3 Ear Mite Infestation
1.4 Other Causes
2.0 Symptoms of an Ear Infection
3.0 Antibiotics - Not a Solution
4.0 Prescription Dog, Cat Food – a Solution or a Health Threat?
5.0 A Holistic Health Supporting Approach – the Real Solution
6.0 Natural Topical Treatments and Remedies
6.1 A Guide to Administering Treatments in a Safe Manner
6.2 Ear Drops to Treat Ear Infections, Reducing Inflammation, Irritation6.3 Ear Drops to Reduce Inflammation and Irritation, Keep Ears Clean
6.4 Ear Drops to eradicate Ear Mites
6.5 Ear Drops for Pro-Active Regular Maintenance/Prevention of Infections
7.0 Supporting Your Dog’s, Cat’s Health from the Inside Out
Did you know that ear infections are now (and have been since 2012) the foremost non-life-threatening reason for a visit to the veterinarian’s office? This article will assist you in understanding why your dog or cat gets an ear infection; why the condition may have become a chronic issue for your dog or cat, and what to do to naturally treat and remedy the ear infection and the root cause or the condition – not just temporarily treat the symptom.
1.0 Causes and Types of Ear Infections
There are many reasons why a dog or cat develops an ear infection. The list below will provide you with an overview of types of ear infections and causes.
Before we look at the list of cause and type it is important to note that if your dog or cat is on a diet that truly and fully supports a strong immune system and good overall health your dog’s or cat’s chance of acquiring any type of ear infection dramatically decreases.
Without any doubt the root cause of most illness is inappropriate ingredients in food and overall diet which can be compounded by exposure to environmental toxins. Conversely the solution to avoiding illness is a good diet.
1.1 Infection Type One - Acute Ear Infections
This type of infection may be caused by:
- Bacteria which thrives in a humid environment – the inside of the ear and, or
- A scratch or cut inside or near the ear canal which then becomes populated with bacteria;
- Predispostion to acquire ear infections -
- It is important to note that dogs with floppy ears may be particularly prone to ear infections as air circulation inside the ear is limited, fur on the inside surface of the ear can become overgrown and dirt and particulate can become trapped;
- Hence the importance of checking your dog’s and cat’s ears on a weekly basis to ensure his/her ears are clean.
If you have a puppy or kitten make sure you get them accustomed to having their ears touched, failure to do so can result in behavioural issues (i.e. bite reactivity) around the touching of his/her ears later in life. You can read this article to understand how you can inadvertently create stress and tension during grooming – from ear cleaning, to brushing fur and teeth to bathing and nail clipping.
1.2 Infection Type Two - Chronic Ear Infections
This type of infection may be caused by:
- Allergies – food allergies or environmental allergies;
- When food allergies are not properly addressed Candida may result. Candida is an overgrowth of bad bacteria leading to a yeast bloom that result in yeast infection);
- Food allergies can be triggered by inappropriate, toxic and otherwise heath threatening ingredients in:
- Dog and cat food – off the shelf and veterinarian prescribed;
- Dog and cat health care products such as dental chews, toothpaste, shampoos and rinses, off the shelf and veterinarian prescribed chemical-based insect and parasite preventatives etc.
- Overuse of antibiotics;
- Chronic Bacterial infection;
- Hormonal unbalance;
- Stress;
- Suppressed immune system (enables fungal and bacterial infections);
- This can occur due to vaccination and over vaccination;
- Other immune-suppressing medical conditions.
1.3 Infection Type Three - An Infestation of Ear Mites
Ear mites are tiny spider-like insects that like to infest the ears of dogs, cats, rabbits and other small animals. Although mites prefer the ear canals they can also live elsewhere on the animal’s body. Mites thrive in the moist warmth of the ear canal. They burrow into the ear, casing irritation and inflammation. The animal’s body responds to the attack by producing excess ear-wax. The ear mites feed on epidermal debris and ear wax.
1.4 Infection Type Four - Other Causes, Foreign Material
Other foreign material – organic and non-organic can become lodged in a dog’s or cat’s ear canal…
- Particulate blowing about in the wind can impact and lodge into the ear canal. This can occur when for example a dog sticks his/her head out the window of a quickly moving vehicle.
When running through or rolling-in certain grasses that have hard seed-bearing seed heads; - Some seed heads have sharp points and microscopic barbs that can become lodged in a dog’s or cat’s ears as they run through, play or roll-about in the grass;
- These barbs can easily work their way into flesh - the barbs then prevent the seed head from working its way back out;
- Hard seed bearing grasses are often referred to as ‘Fox Tails’.
The following are typical examples of ‘fox tail’ grasses:
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Cheat grass’ (Bromus tectorum); |
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| Foxtail also called wild barley, squirreltail barley, skunktail (Hordeum murinum), |
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