If you’re the lucky paw parent to a fun-loving, boisterous pup, it can be tough to see them under the weather. So if your furry friend comes down with achy ears, you might find yourself scrambling to find the right dog ear infection medicine.
When searching for the best choice, however, you’ll come across both natural and medicated options. You’ll also notice quite a bit of debate over which is safer and more effective.
In this article, we’ll cover the differences between methods, and highlight the ideal scenarios for each.
Understanding Dog Ear Infections
Before diving into the varieties of dog ear infection medicine, let’s first talk about the types of ear infection and what symptoms to watch out for. Early detection is the best way to prevent minor irritation from escalating into a full-blown emergency.
Signs of Infection
It’s wise to get in the habit of routinely checking your pup’s ears for issues. A pair of healthy ears should be:
- Rosy pink in color
- Free of dirt and debris
- Odorless
- Smooth
If you start to notice any of the below signs, however, something is amiss and you’ll need to take further action:
- Pawing or scratching at the ears
- Head shaking, especially when it appears unnatural
- Ears that smell
- Pus or discharge
- Crusting or scabbing
- Swelling
In severe cases, you may notice your dog suddenly struggling with balance or having obvious difficulty hearing. Sudden lack of interest in food can also signal an ear issue (because the jaw and ears share many muscles).
Types of Infection
Not all infections are created equal. Some are quite mild, while others require an urgent trip to the vet.
There’s three varieties of infection, each named for the region of the ear it affects1:
- Otitis externa – This is when outer ear canal becomes inflamed. It’s the most common type of infection.
- Otitis media – An infection of the middle ear, often around the affected ear drum, otitis media often results from otitis externa in dogs that’s allowed to spread.
- Otitis interna – Rare but serious, otitis interna occurs when the sensitive skin of the inner ear falls victim to bacteria. This requires immediate medical attention.
If your pup’s dealing with middle or inner ear troubles, it’s crucial to schedule a vet appointment right away. A deep, professional dog ear cleaning and a course of prescription medication are usually necessary to resolve the problem.
For otitis externa, however, you can often alleviate symptoms and promote healing at home.
Now that you’ve gotten the lowdown on infections, let’s talk about the pros and cons of going natural versus choosing medicated treatments.
What’s the Difference Between Natural and Medicated Treatments?
Before comparing medicated and natural treatments, let’s talk about what distinguishes them:
- Natural treatments aim to promote healing without relying on synthetic drugs or surgery. They function by enhancing the body’s natural healing capacities.2
- Medicated treatments feature synthetic ingredients and target specific diseases and symptoms.3 They don’t take the holistic approach of natural remedies.
While some people insist that one type is superior to the other, both have their merits—it depends on the situation and symptoms. No need to pick a side.
Let’s dive a little deeper into how these treatments work.
The Natural Route
Lots of paw parents prefer to take a natural approach to minor ailments. It’s easy to assemble natural treatments from common household items. They’re excellent at soothing symptoms while the body irons out the issue.
Natural treatments work best for minor cases (such as the first signs of an infection) or as preventative maintenance (to keep ears clean and sanitized).
There’s two varieties of natural treatments: homemade and commercial. Let’s take a look at both.
Homemade Remedies
Wondering how to treat dog ear infection without vet? There’s a number of tried-and-true methods to alleviate discomfort and promote healing that employ basic household ingredients.
To relieve symptoms of a mild infection, you can try using:
- Cool green tea – Loaded with anti-inflammatory power, green tea is a battle-tested hero when it comes to soothing irritation.4 Boil about 8 ounces of water and add a couple green tea bags. Steep for several minutes, let cool, and use a sponge to apply to the ear.
- Apple cider vinegar – Apple cider vinegar is a champ at fighting fungus.5 Mix equal parts vinegar and water, soak a cotton ball in the mixture and gently swab it onto the affected area. You can also pour it directly into the ear canal while rubbing the base of the ear.
- Oregano oil – Bacteria causes infection. Oregano oil has well-documented antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties,6 making it an excellent weapon against infection. Add one drop to a small amount of water, soak a cotton ball in it, and apply.
Every pet reacts differently to treatment, so experiment with a few options and see what achieves the best results.
Commercial Formulas
The next level up from homemade antidotes? That would be commercial formulas that feature natural ingredients (as opposed to synthetic ones).
An example of a non-medicated approach would be Vetericyn Plus Antimicrobial Ear Rinse, which washes away ear debris and soothes irritation.
Its active ingredient is hypochlorous acid, which occurs naturally in the body and serves to protect the skin from infection and injury.7 Its ability to promote natural healing process has made it a popular addition to skin care products for decades.
Regularly using an ear rinse is an excellent way to maintain healthy ears and treat the early infection symptoms.
Medicated Options
For a more targeted approach, paw parents may turn to medicated treatments. These are medications specifically formulated to cure a particular ailment. Think of them as “going on offense”, while natural methods are more defensive (they enhance the body’s innate protective powers).
For a chronic ear infection, medicated treatments offer powerful relief. A couple common choices are:
- Antihistamines – OTC antihistamines, like diphenhydramine, cool off inflammation and provide powerful itch relief.8
- Hydrocortisone – Formulated specifically to fight inflammation, hydrocortisone for dogs is a time-tested standby for soothing irritated skin.9
When it comes to specifically handling dog ear infections, an excellent medicated option is Vetericyn’s Triple-Action Ear Treatment. It features 1% hydrocortisone, which is a powerful synthetic chemical designed to soothe inflammation and provide itch relief.
It also includes two additional ingredients for elevated infection fighting power:
- Otizyme – A potent enzyme blend that clears out buildup and breaks up ear wax.
- Botaniplex – A mixture of natural extracts that rebalance the ear’s microbiome.
By combining the targeted approach of hydrocortisone with natural elements, the Triple-Action Ear Treatment offers the best of both worlds.
How to Choose Your Path
There’s no right or wrong way to tackle a mild canine ear infection. If you value an approach that works by boosting your dog’s natural infection-fighting powers, natural remedies are the way to go. For quick, targeted relief, medicated treatments are ideal.
You can also take a mixed approach. When an infection pops up, try:
- Starting with a medicated treatment to quickly address the issue and restore stability to the dog’s ear canal.
- Following up with home remedies to maintain ear health and prevent the infection from recurring.
Ear canal tissue is highly sensitive. Anytime a problem appears, it’s important to resolve it quickly.
Natural methods are often slower than the medicated approach, so if you decide to go natural, monitor the progress carefully. If symptoms aren’t improving (or get worse) it’s best to pivot to medicated treatments or seek vet attention.
In general, the more severe the condition, the more you should rely on medicated treatments.
Steps to Prevent Infection
Knowing how to treat ear infections makes you an empowered paw parent, but preventing them from popping up in the first place transforms you into a superstar.
Follow these tips for A-plus ear health:
- Keep ears dry – After swimming or bathing, dry your pup’s ears with a fresh towel. You can also try inserting cotton balls into the ear before water activities.
- Clean ears often – About once a month you should set aside time to thoroughly clean your dog’s ears.
- Stay on top of grooming – Overgrown ear hair can trap dirt and debris, so keep it trimmed.
- Monitor for parasites – Fleas and ear mites cause itchy welts that, when scratched, can become infected.
- Provide a nourishing diet – Solid nutrition is the bedrock of a healthy immune system. Ensure your pup receives a healthy balanced diet.
- Boost with supplements – Expertly crafted supplements like Vetericyn ALL-IN Dog Supplement enhance your pup’s overall health for improved infection fighting.
Remember: prevention is the best medicine. Stay on top of ear maintenance and you’ll have no trouble keeping infections away.
With Vetericyn, All Roads Lead to Healthy Ears
Whether you prefer the natural vibe or the dialed-in style of medicated treatments, Vetericyn’s got you covered. Our vet-approved ear treatments keep even the floppiest dog’s ears in tip-top shape!
We also offer a wide array of outstanding animal wellness products for all your pet care needs, from coat care to precision eye health.
We’re pet people to our core, so we know how amazing it feels to watch your furry friends thrive. That’s why we do what we do. Discover how we can help today!
Reviewed by C. Scott Van Winkle
Scott has been with Innovacyn for the past 11 years and has been working within the Burlingame portfolio of companies for the past 23 years. Scott brings a diverse background to Innovacyn. With an upbringing as the 5th generation on his families cattle ranch, Scott has a passion for animal health and the continuous improvement surrounding agricultural practices. Scott earned marketing and business management degrees from the University of Idaho and holds an Executive MBA from Pepperdine University.
Sources:
- American Kennel Club. Dog Ear Infections: Symptoms, Causes, Treatment, and Prevention. https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/health/dog-ear-infections/
- National Cancer Institute. Complementary and Alternative Medicine. https://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/treatment/cam
- National Library of Medicine. Herbal versus synthetic drugs; beliefs and facts. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5297475/
- National Library of Medicine. Anti-inflammatory Action of Green Tea. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27634207/
- Natchez Trace Veterinary Services. Apple Cider Vinegar: Home Remedy For Dog Ear Infection. https://franklintnvet.com/apple-cider-vinegar-home-remedy-for-dog-ear-infection/
- WebMD. Oregano Oil: Is it Good for You? https://www.webmd.com/diet/oregano-oil-good-for-you
- Health.com. What Is Hypochlorous Acid—And Is It Good for Skin https://www.health.com/beauty/skincare/hypochlorous-acid-skincare
- American Kennel Club. Benadryl For Dogs: Uses, Side Effects, and Dosage Information. https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/health/benadryl-for-dogs/
- WebMD. Hydrocortisone Cream – Uses, Side Effects, and More. https://www.webmd.com/drugs/2/drug-10402-859/hydrocortisone-topical/hydrocortisone-topical/details
