Talk to your vet before using an antihistamine if your dog is on other medications to make sure they won’t have any adverse reactions. Steer clear of liquid medication that contains sodium or time-release pills since they could cause other side effects. Avoid using Benadryl if you’re treating a puppy, pregnant dog, or nursing dog since they’re more sensitive to the medication. If your dog has a rapid heartbeat, dilated pupils, or seizures, contact your vet since your pup may have a Benadryl overdose.
Reapply hydrocortisone 3–4 times a day to help make your dog feel comfortable.
Ask your vet for advice on how to properly clean your dog’s ears so they don’t get injured or stressed out. Avoid letting the hydrogen peroxide or ear cleaner drip inside your dog’s ear canal since it could cause more irritation.
Avoid using tea tree oil on your dog since it’s potentially toxic if they ingest it.
Reapply witch hazel or mullein oil twice a day to treat your dog’s itchy ears. Avoid soaking the cotton ball with witch hazel or mullein oil so it doesn’t drip into your dog’s inner ear. Liquid trapped in your pup’s ear could cause some irritation.
If you see noticeable inflammation, bad odors, or swelling, it could be a sign your pup has a deeper ear infection. [9] X Expert Source Ray Spragley, DVMVeterinarian Expert Interview. 29 June 2021. If your vet gives your dog a prescription, make sure you follow the dosing instructions properly. If you miss a dose, the infection could potentially come back. Your vet can also help clean your dog’s ears or remove any obstructions that got inside their ear canal.
Get rid of fleas as soon as you can to prevent them from spreading around your home or to other pets.
Treat ear mites as soon as possible since they could spread to other pets or even other parts of your dog’s body.
Foxtail, ticks, insects, and pebbles are all common obstructions that could make your pup feel itchy and uncomfortable.
Leaving an ear infection untreated could cause it to spread or become more severe.
Environmental allergies are usually seasonal and make your dog itch during certain times of the year. If you suspect your dog has a food allergy, try switching them to different food. Keep track of how much they scratch their ears over the next few weeks to see if there are any noticeable changes.
If you are unsure if your dog has an ear infection, compare one ear with the other to see if they both look the same. If one ear looks different or irritated, it’s likely infected.
Dogs with droopy ears, like Labradors and golden retrievers, are more prone to water getting caught inside.
If your dog is still scratching, then they may have environmental allergies or still be affected by another ingredient in their food.
