Hydrogen peroxide is another good cleanser. Dab a cotton ball with it, and mix in a little coconut oil before applying it to your dog's ear to help clean the infection area. Mix equal measures of apple cider vinegar and water to create a homemade cleaning solution.
Apple Cider Vinegar: Mix equal parts water and apple cider vinegar. Apply a small amount to the ear with a cotton ball and massage the base of the ear. Apple cider vinegar has antiseptic properties that can help fight infection.
Treatment typically includes ear cleaning, topical medication, and sometimes oral antibiotics or anti-inflammatory drugs. For severe pain or complicated infections, sedation may be necessary for a thorough cleaning. Follow-up visits ensure the infection is resolving and helps prevent recurrence.
You can add a teaspoon of apple cider vinegar to the warm water or apply a plantain tincture to draw out infection. Gently apply pressure to squeeze out pus in the wound. Have a disposable cloth or towel available to capture discharge and dispose of pus extracted from the abscess.
Commercial ear cleaners have several properties built in to help reduce debris and moisture in the ears, and are safe when directed by your veterinarian. A DIY that has come through the channels is using vinegar (white or apple cider) as an ear cleaner to help resolve ear infections or as a regular cleaner.
Herbs like calendula and mullein have anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties. Create an infusion by steeping these herbs in warm water, then allow the solution to cool before applying a few drops into the affected ear. These herbs can help naturally reduce inflammation and fight off infections.
Common causes include skin allergies, ear infections and ear mites. Contact your vet as soon as possible if you notice your dog head shaking/scratching their ears – the sooner the problem is diagnosed, the easier it will be to treat.
To date, two natural antibiotics stand out from the pack: manuka honey and turmeric. Manuka honey is considered one of the strongest natural antibiotics for dogs. It is used to treat wounds and lesions. Manuka honey also helps reduce inflammation.
Do not use salt water around or in the eyes or ears as it may cause irritation. If your pet has a deep wound or a skin infection (redness, discharge, pain, swelling), then contact your vet for advice as other treatments may be required.
Fungal & Bacterial Infection Medications for Dogs and Cats
Here are some home remedies you might want to try:
Consider supplementing your dog's diet with antioxidants such as vitamins A and E, Coenzyme Q-10, or any number of the culinary herbs, including rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis), thyme (Thymus vulgaris), and oregano (Origanum vulgare).
Can a dog ear infection heal itself? Most often, a dog ear infection will not go away on its own. All types of otitis require a veterinarian to evaluate the infection and the eardrum. If the eardrum is ruptured, certain cleaners and medications can be damaging to a dog's middle ear.
The key is to keep the experience as positive as possible.
Dark Brown or Reddish-Brown
Dark brown earwax may simply be a build-up of healthy wax. Your dog's ear may just need cleaning. Gently wipe away the dirt and debris with a warm, damp cloth and dry afterward. Yeast infections (candida or Malassezia spp) commonly cause earwax to turn greasy, dark brown or reddish-brown.
We suggest a two-ingredient natural remedy which can help you disinfect the ears and clean them in a completely safe way. It contains rubbing alcohol, which eradicates 85% of all aerobic bacterial contamination tit touches, and white vinegar, which offers amazing antibacterial and antimicrobial properties.
If your dog has a yeast ear infection you may notice one or more of the following symptoms:
Saltwater is known as an effective way to reduce inflammation. And saltwater could help an ear infection as well – just don't put the salt water directly in your ear. Instead, add one teaspoon salt to one cup of warm water and gargle it for a couple minutes.
It is best to use saline eye solution to clean the ear. Do not use wax removal liquid or other over-the-counter ear cleaners. Squirt enough cleaner into the ear to fill the canal. Massage the base of the ear until you hear the solution “squish.”
Antibiotics are only available on prescription, meaning you can't buy them over the counter (OTC). Seeking professional veterinary care is essential before giving your dogs antibiotics.
While some over-the-counter pet products, like flea treatments or supplements, can be purchased without a prescription, prescription-strength pet meds—such as antibiotics, pain medications, heartworm prevention or treatments for chronic conditions—require a prescription.
To treat your dog's bacterial infection at home, consider using natural remedies such as diluted hydrogen peroxide for cleaning wounds or apple cider vinegar to help soothe your dog's itchy skin and even maintain a healthy balance in the dog's ear canals.
An Elizabethan cone collar or no-flap ear wrap may help prevent self-trauma. You can also try an over-the-counter ear cleaner to help decrease the bacterial or yeast population in the ear temporarily, but a visit to the veterinarian as soon as possible is still best.
Ear mites can cause several signs, including a black discharge, scratching, and head shaking.
An ear mite infection will cause your dog's ears to itch, which often results in them shaking their head excessively, or scratching at their ears with their paws. Ear mites can also cause your dog's ears to: produce wax. become irritated, causing them to look red and inflamed.