The Vet Practice

Sore ears can be caused by a number of different conditions most of which can't be treated just by applying some generic ear dops or waiting for mother nature to take over.

Common causes of sore ears include:

• Bacterial, fungal or yeast infections
• Foreign bodies such as Grasseeds
• Trauma - such as a ruptured ear drum

If the cause is a foreign body then it must be removed quickly to avoid further damage and possible infection.

If the cause is a bacteria, fungal or yeast infection then the specific micro - organism needs to be identified so that the right medication can be applied. This is generally discovered by taking a swab from the ear which is examined under a microscope or sent to a laboratory for analysis.

Generic ear cleaners generally don't contain therapeutic levels of antibiotics or antifungals so their effect is limited.

Make no mistake, ear infections can be terribly painful and can cause your dog to react - sometimes even agressively when touched in that area.

We've seen dogs with grasseeds in their ear being treated for days and even weeks with ear drops and of course - with no improvement

So please avoid the pain - see your vet if your dog is showing signs of an ear problem.

Over the counter ear cleaning solutions are generally quite acceptable as a preventative measure to keep your dog's ears clean when there's not an existing problem.