You love your basset hound's ears. Unfortunately, those long ears make your basset hound prone to painful yeast ear infections. Luckily, there are some simple steps you can take that will help keep infections to a minimum. Here are three things you should know about yeast ear infections.
Why Your Basset Hound Gets Ear Infections
Those long ears that look so cute prevent air from circulating in the ear canal. It's that lack of circulation that can lead to ear infections. Moisture can build up deep inside the ear canal, which becomes the perfect breeding ground for yeast and other bacteria. In addition, certain allergies can also lead to an increased risk of ear infections for your basset hound.
How You Can Spot An Infection
If your basset has an ear infection, it will probably start exhibiting some early signs of sickness. Some of those signs will include:
- Increased head shaking
- Tilting head to one side
- Increased scratching around the ears
- Foul odor coming from ears
Those are good indicators that you should take a look inside the ear. If you see a dark brown discharge, carefully wipe it away with a damp cloth. If your dog has a yeast ear infection, the brown discharge will return in a few hours.
Easy Ways To Prevent Ear Infections
The simplest way to prevent yeast ear infections in your basset hound is to keep its ears clean and dry. To do this, simply take a damp cloth and wipe the inside of its ears on a daily basis. Be sure to dry them thoroughly after you're done. You should also expose your dog's ear canals to the air at least once a week. Carefully bring your dog's ears up on top of its head and secure them with an elastic hair tie. It's also important that you not get water in your dog's ears during bath time. Place a shower cap on your dog's head to protect its ears during bath time.
Medical Care For Infections
Ear infections can be quite serious if not taken care of properly. If your dog shows signs of an ear infection, you should contact your veterinarian or local animal hospital, such as University Pet Hospital, as soon as possible. Be sure to follow through with the veterinarian's instructions to ensure the infection goes away.
You want to give your basset hound the best possible care. Part of that care includes protecting it against ear infections. Yeast infections are easily treated if caught early enough. Weekly inspections and cleanings can help prevent ear infections.