Caring For Your Dog's Ears... Naturally
Ear problems are one of the top routine reasons why dogs visit the veterinarian, and many dogs suffer from painful and unpleasant ear conditions for years on end before a true long-standing cure is found.
A holistic approach to the problem considers the environment in which the dog lives, what he eats and his lifestyle. Often, the best approach is a two-pronged attack of holistic treatment and conventional medicines in order to get the situation under control, with just occasional natural remedies being necessary for general maintenance of the ears, thereafter. Ear problems often go hand in hand with environmental or food-based allergies and sensitivities, and dogs who are prone to itchy skin and hot spots frequently suffer from ear issues as well. As with many skin conditions, a problem with the ears may be indicative of some other internal issues going on with another body system. Certain types of bacteria and yeast are present naturally, throughout the body including the ears. They are part of the balance of life, but when environmental or other factors disrupt the balance, either one can grow out of control and an ‘infection’ results. A conventional veterinary approach to ear problems often involves the prescribing of antibiotics as well as steroids and other medications, which can provide some immediate relief by suppressing the symptoms, but which tends to be only a temporary fix and doesn’t actually offer a true, long-term cure.
Sometimes, a brief prescription of prednisone or other steroids can be helpful in breaking the ‘vicious cycle’ of a really persistent and very uncomfortable ear problem, especially when the dog risks doing serious long-term damage to himself by repeated scratching and head-shaking.
The short course of Prednisone can then be followed by a holistic approach that looks at the animal’s diet, lifestyle and total system and then makes use of natural herbal and homeopathic remedies, in order to accomplish a true long-term cure.
Some veterinary specialists actually perform surgery on the ears of dogs who are plagued with persistent, deep-seated and severe ear problems. The surgery, called ear canal ablation, removes infected areas of the ear canal.
The Symptoms
- Head shaking
- Excessive ear scratching
- Redness of the ear flaps (otitis)
Subtle Signs of an Underlying Ear Problem
- Slight tilt of the head
- One ear being held at a slightly different angle than the other
- Pungent, yeasty odor emanating from the ears
- Dark reddish brown buildup of waxy substance around the folds of the ears and deeper within the ear canal itself
The Causes
Anatomy or Breed: Certain breeds with ears that hang down, like setters, spaniels and retrievers, can be predisposed to infections and yeast buildup because these longer ear flaps provide an internal ear environment that’s dark, potentially more moist – and perfect for the growth of yeast and bacteria. While some breeds are routinely subjected to ear-cropping in the United States, this is almost entirely a cosmetic (and in the opinion of most, a cruel) surgical mutilation with its roots in the ancestral jobs of certain working breeds, but which has no relevance in the life of a modern dog - and only very mildly helps to combat ear problems, if at all. Diet: Food (or environmental) allergies are especially likely to be implicated in ear problems when both ears are involved. An excess of grain and/or sugar in the diet is one of the most common causes of ear infections in dogs. The sugar actually feeds the yeast which lives naturally in the body and causes a yeast overgrowth, which results in the dark, yeasty-smelling buildup that can occur inside the ears. Lifestyle: Those dogs who regularly swim in lakes, the ocean or swimming pools (dock-diving or swim therapy for example) can be more prone to ear problems than those who don’t go near the water. Any dog who swims should have his ears gently dried afterward, using a soft towel or cotton wool to remove the excess moisture. This alone can prevent many ear infections from building up because yeast and bacteria love to reproduce in dark, moist places. Dogs who spend a lot of time outdoors and are lucky enough to run in the woods or other grassy open spaces are slightly more at risk of a foxtail or other type of grass seed working its way into the ears. This can cause severe pain and discomfort and often require surgical removal although in some cases, a vet may suggest pouring mineral oil or another substance into the ear to soften the seed and allow it to be shaken out by the dog – however it’s essential that a correct diagnosis is made before this approach is taken and it should only be attempted under veterinary supervision. Parasites: Parasites such as mites can invade the ear canal but these are relatively uncommon. Sometimes, allergic ear problems can be mistaken for ear mites. If they do invade, a confirmed case of ear mites can be treated with Neem or plain mineral oil. Chronic and persistent ear ailments that do not clear up using simple measures require veterinary attention. Contact your holistic vet for a moderate treatment option.| A survey of 6,289 Honest Kitchen customers showed a 46% reduction in ear infections while eating The Honest Kitchen pet food. | |
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Achieving and Maintaining Ear Health
Cleaning: Most dogs’ ears do not require regular cleaning and can mostly be left alone. In fact, it’s better to leave normal, healthy ears alone and not attempt to clean them for the sake of it, because this in itself can disrupt the delicate pH balance and natural environment there. Some dogs require occasional cleaning to remove debris, or a specially designed drying product to help eliminate excess moisture from the ears after swimming.
Minor amounts of debris can be removed with a clean, dry cotton pad alone, which is the best solution for maintaining ears that don’t have a deep-seated problem of any kind. Never try to clean beyond the areas of the ears that you can actually see.
Diet: A grain-free diet is almost always helpful in combating chronic yeast infections. Grains contain natural sugars which yeasts can feed upon, and multiply. In most milder cases, eliminating grains and cleaning the ears of any built-up debris will set your dog on a path to long term ear health. If antibiotics are prescribed for a persistent or stubborn ear infection, consider supplementing the diet with a good probiotic supplement containing acidophilus to help maintain the balance of good bacteria in the dog’s system. Live-culture plain yogurt with lactobacillus and acidophilus can also help to offset the side-effects of antibiotic therapy.
A raw or natural, minimally processed diet can be very helpful in combating ear problems, because it provides the natural, whole-food nutrition that the dog’s immune system needs in order to regain strength. Removing toxic chemical preservatives and excessive gluten, by-products and fillers can have a marvelous effect on most of the body, including the condition of the ears.
Topical Treatments: A number of good, natural commercial products are also available from pet-supply & health food stores. Altering the pH of the ear is a primary step in combating yeast and bacterial infections.
A basic ear cleaner can be prepared at home, and work double duty to correct the pH and kill any contaminants residing there:
- Make up a solution with 1 cup of lukewarm water
- 2 tablespoons of one or more of the following:
- hydrogen peroxide
- apple cider (or white) vinegar
- plantain tincture.
