Dachshund Ear Infection: How To Treat It?

Table of Contents

Why are Dachshunds prone to ear infections?
What are the symptoms of a Dachshund ear infection?
What causes Dachshund ear infection?
How to treat ear infections in Dachshunds?
1. Topical Medications For Treating Dachshund Ear Infection
Dachshund Ear Infection: Wrapping up

As an owner of a Doxie, you surely want to provide it with the best care. However, when it comes to their ears, these tiny body parts require special attention due to their tendency to develop infections. Dachshund ear infection can be very painful, and if left untreated, our pooches can experience severe complications. That’s why we want to provide you with all the important tips about how to notice and treat them on time.

Why are Dachshunds prone to ear infections?

Dachshunds, with their recognizable floppy ears, are unfortunately susceptible to ear infections. Their long, hanging ears create a warm and moist environment, ideal for bacteria and yeast to grow. Besides, their ears can easily trap dirt and debris, which may lead to infection if not cleaned regularly.

What are the symptoms of a Dachshund ear infection?

Identifying an ear infection early is essential to ensuring your Dachshund doesn’t suffer unnecessarily. Be on the lookout for signs like frequent head shaking, scratching at the ears, redness, swelling, or an unpleasant odor coming from the ears.

Behavioral changes, such as your Dachshund becoming more irritable or depressed, are also indicators of potential discomfort due to an ear issue.

Persistent Scratching:

Doxies with ear infections will frequently scratch their ears due to irritation or itching. This constant scratching can further lead to redness and swelling in and around the ear area, potentially causing additional issues like abrasions or secondary infections.

Unpleasant Odor:

An unusual and unpleasant odor from the Dachshund’s ears is often a sign of infection. The smell might originate from the overgrowth of bacteria or yeast. They love to live in a warm, moist environment.

Visible Discharge As A Leading Sign Of A Dachshund Ear Infection:

Noticing a yellow, brown, or bloody discharge from your Doxie’s ear signals a potential infection. Such discharges may contain pus, blood, or excretions from bacteria and yeast, and they usually indicate an ongoing inflammatory process.

Redness and Swelling:

Inflammation of the ear canal or auricle, apparent through redness and swelling, points toward infection or irritation. The swelling may cause discomfort and pain, making your Wiener dog more sensitive when the ears are touched.

Head-Shaking:

Persistent head shaking or tilting is often a result of the discomfort or pain from the ear infection. Dachshunds do this in an attempt to alleviate the pain or get rid of whatever is causing the discomfort inside the ear.

Altered Behavior:

Dogs experiencing ear pain may exhibit altered behavior, such as being more irritable, aggressive, or withdrawn. They might isolate themselves or avoid social interaction due to the ongoing discomfort.

Loss of Balance Due To Dachshund Ear Infection:

Ear infections in Dachshunds can affect their balance and movement. You can notice your dog stumbling, circling, or struggling with coordination, especially in severe or chronic infections.

Loss Of Hearing Due To Dachshund Ear Infection:

Persistent ear infections, especially those left untreated, might lead to diminished hearing capabilities. Your dog might stop responding to commands or sounds that they usually react to.

Swollen or Enlarged Ear Flap:

Sometimes, blood vessels in the ear flap may burst due to vigorous scratching or head shaking, leading to an accumulation of blood and resulting in a swollen or enlarged ear flap, a condition known as an aural hematoma.

Hair Loss Around the Ear:

Hair loss around the ear due to continuous scratching or rubbing can be another indication of an ear infection. The constant irritation leads them to focus on the area, potentially causing hair loss and additional skin issues.

Scaly or Crusty Skin:

In some cases, the skin around the infected ear may become scaly or crusty due to persistent scratching, or as a direct symptom of the infection itself, revealing itself through changes in the skin’s appearance and texture.

What causes Dachshund ear infection?

Ear infections in Dachshunds can be attributed to several factors, including:

Allergies: Reactions to certain foods or environmental factors can manifest as ear infections.

Bacteria and Yeast: The moist, warm environment of their ears fosters bacterial and yeast growth.

Genetic Predisposition: Some Dachshunds might genetically be more prone to ear issues.

Foreign Bodies: Intrusion of foreign objects like grass seeds into the ear canal.

How to treat ear infections in Dachshunds?

Treating ear infections in Dachshunds, or any breed, is crucial to ensure comfort, maintain auditory health, and prevent potential complications like hearing loss. Understanding the array of available treatments helps to manage and, if possible, prevent recurrent ear issues.

The foremost step in treating an ear infection is to consult a veterinarian, who can accurately diagnose the issue. He/she should perform a physical examination and possible further tests (such as an ear swab culture). An accurate diagnosis helps in identifying the exact cause and thereby selecting an effective treatment approach.

Topical Medications For Treating Dachshund Ear Infection

Antibiotic Ear Drops:

For bacterial infections, vets might prescribe antibiotic ear drops to tackle the causative organisms.

Antifungal Ear Drops:

These are used to treat yeast infections in the Dachshund ears.

Steroid-containing Ear Drops:

This helps reduce inflammation and manage itching and pain. In many cases, a combination of these medications might be used to manage multifactorial ear infections.

Oral Medications:

Oral antibiotics, antifungals, or steroids might be prescribed to manage more severe or deep-seated infections in your Doxie. This approach ensures that the infection is tackled more broadly.

Cleaning and Maintenance:

Keeping the ear clean during and post-infection is essential. The vet might do an initial deep clean. After that, he/she will instruct owners on how to continue gentle, regular ear cleaning at home.

Surgical Intervention of Dachshund Ear Infection:

Chronic or recurrent ear infections, or those caused by structural issues, may require surgical intervention. Procedures can range from opening up narrowed ear canals to more involved surgeries like total ear canal ablation (TECA) for severe, chronic issues.

Management of Underlying Issues:

Addressing underlying issues like allergies (which may involve dietary changes, skin testing, or long-term immunotherapy) is crucial to managing recurrent ear infections.

Lifestyle and Diet Modifications:

Changing the dachshund’s diet or lifestyle can help in managing and preventing ear infections. This might involve offering hypoallergenic diets or using specific ear protectors during bathing to avoid moisture buildup.

Home remedies for treating ear infections in Dachshunds:

With vet approval, certain home remedies like diluted apple cider vinegar ear washes, can be used for mild issues or maintenance. Always consult the vet before initiating any home treatments to ensure safety and efficacy.

Preventive Care of Dachshund Ear Infection:

Post-treatment, ongoing preventive care is essential. Regular ear checks and cleaning, adherence to any dietary or lifestyle recommendations, and prompt attention to any recurrence of symptoms are crucial.

Besides, it’s important to regularly clean the dog’s ears with a vet-approved ear-cleaning solution. Our Dachshund Ear Cleaner features only natural and dog-safe ingredients that efficiently clean the dog’s ears and remove bad odor. To maintain your Doxie’s ears healthy, using it once a week would be enough.

Dachshund Ear Cleansing Solution is the second product from our store that cleans stench, black stuff, ear mites, and prevents infections. Since it contains marigolds, beeswax, and aloe vera, you can be sure that it will be safe for your pet.

Dachshund Ear Infection: Wrapping up

Treating ear infections in Dachshunds involves a comprehensive approach, addressing the immediate infection, managing pain and discomfort, and taking steps to prevent future problems. Since each dog is unique, the therapeutic approach must be tailored to meet their specific needs. A cooperative effort between the vet and owner, with a focus on the well-being of the Dachshund, ensures optimal outcomes in managing ear health.