Ear infections are a very common problem especially for breeds of dog who have hairy ears or whose ears are long and lie over the ear canal, causing humidity to rise and an ideal place for mites and parasites to inhabit.

When your dog has an ear infection you may see him or her scratching their ears or head, shaking the head or tilting it to one side, and you may also notice an unpleasant aroma, see a discharge accompanied by redness or swelling of the ear flap or canal.

Vets refer to ear infection as otitis externa, and up to 20% of all dogs will suffer from ear infection problems.

There can be a wide range of causes including allergies, parasites, seeds or awns, microbial infections; bacteria, fungi and yeasts, and hereditary problems inherent in certain breeds because of the type and shaping of the ear.

Ear Mites are a common parasite in cats but not as common in dogs, although when they are present they can cause intense itching and distress.

Bacterial and Yeast infection can be a problem for dogs particularly in humid times as many of these microbes multiply in conditions of moisture, warmth and darkness. Allergies can also cause ear infections and can be symptomatic of a larger problem, being noticed in the ear before it spreads to other parts of your dog’s body.

There are a very wide range of causes of ear infection in dogs, and some will require veterinary examination and treatment. However a great many of these conditions can be treated by the dog owner with natural remedies.

Treatment options:

Ear infections are commonly associated with parasitic infestation, it will be important to treat your dog for parasites at the same time as treating the ear infection.

Manuka and Tea Tree cream, is an excellent product for the dog owner to apply initially as it will protect your dogs ears from parasites as well as acting against bacteria, fungi and yeast infections. If your dog has been diagnosed with or is subject to bacterial, fungal or yeast infection of the ear canal, it can be treated with a few drops of 4% Manuka oil. Manuka oil also helps to reduce any inflammation that may be present.

To keep your dogs ears healthy, it is important to keep them clean, and they should be checked frequently. If your dog has very hairy ears, it will help to clip the hair to allow better circulation of air in and around the ear.

To protect and enhance your dog’s immune system if your dog is suffering from ear infection, a daily supplement of New Zealand Deer Velvet will provide a balanced intake of essential nutrients. New Zealand Deer Velvet tablets also contain NZ Green-Lipped mussel extract which is rich in Omega-3 and very effective in helping to normalize skin function.