Late Summer and Ear Infections: What’s the Connection?
Swimming! Humidity! Extra baths!
Is it really any wonder that late-summer moisture affects our pets’ ears? Here in Texas, we’re known for hot, muggy summers, and that moisture doesn’t always dry out. Instead, it finds its way into the cracks and crevices of our pets’ bodies (like their ears), and results in the all-too common summer ear infection in dogs.
Floppy-eared breeds are more prone to infections than others, but any pup can suffer from ear infections. Here’s what the team at BEEVET Animal Hospital wants you to know about pet ear care in the late summer.
Pet Ear Care Tips
Keeping your pet’s ears dry and clean is one of the best ways to keep infections away.
Anytime your pup comes into contact with water—or after a long day spent in the humid Texas sun—make sure her ears are dry. Let her shake that glorious head to her heart’s content—it helps get water out of her ears!
Then, gently pat the inside of the ear down with a cotton ball (not a cotton swab), paper towel, or clean cloth after each swim session and at the end of every day. If your pup has long fur around her ears, keep it trimmed to improve the flow of air into and out of her ear.
These steps will go a long way toward preventing any ear troubles. But you should also frequently check your dog’s ears for early signs of infection, like redness, a foul smell, or discharge. Wet, humid weather is a perfect breeding ground for yeast in your pet’s ears, as well as other bacteria that cause infections.
Signs of Ear Infections in Dogs
Dogs may shake their heads, whine, scratch, or paw at their ears when they’re in pain. These are all signs it’s time to take Fido to the vet to get checked out for an ear infection.
If your pet isn’t showing physical signs of pain but you notice any buildup or smelliness, consider scheduling an ear cleaning with your vet. With a professional vet ear cleaning, your veterinarian can clear out debris and treat the infection with the right medical tools.
Avoid trying to treat the infection at home—even the best efforts from a pet parent can make the infection worse. Ears are also highly sensitive to damage.
Need help caring for your pup’s infection-prone ears? Call the caring BEEVET Animal Hospital team at (512) 263-9292.