Can Dogs Use Human Ear Drops?

There are various ear problems that we suffer from as humans, and fortunately, there are treatments available for most of them. For instance, if we have blocked or painful ears, we often buy ear drops to apply in order to rectify the problem. However, it is not just us humans that suffer from ear problems and infections. 

Many dogs are prone to ear infections and other problems, but can you use human ear drops to treat your dog? Well, it is important to remember that dogs respond differently than humans to certain drugs and chemicals, so you should not use human ear drops if your dog has an ear infection or problem.

Many dogs are prone to ear problems and infections, so it is important to look out for the signs so you know when to take your pooch to the vet's. It is important that you take your pet to be seen by the vet so that the problem can be looked at and identified and the appropriate medication can be administered. 

The vet will need to check your dog’s ear to determine whether it is an infection or another issue and also to determine the extent of the problem. Leaving ear infections to fester in dogs can cause a lot of pain and discomfort, so you need to get it sorted out as soon as possible.

Some of the signs that your dog may have an ear infection include constantly scratching in and around the ear, a discharge from the ear, a bad odor emanating from the ear, redness and swelling, scabbing or crustiness, loss of hair around the affected ear, shaking or tilting of the head, and loss of balance when walking. 

If you notice any of these symptoms, make sure you take your pooch in to be examined rather than just using your own ear drops, as you could end up doing more harm than good. 

You can often tell whether your dog has an ear infection through the body language that they display. Very often, dogs will shake their heads or tilt them frequently if there is an infection or problem with their ear.

You may also notice your dog scratching in or around the ear on a constant basis due to the itching that the infection may be causing. They may appear depressed or subdued with a tucked tail, which is generally down to the discomfort of the infection. All of these body language signs could be a sign that your pooch has an ear infection and may need a trip to the vet. 

You can also look out for a range of other signs that may indicate your dog is suffering from their ears. For instance, your pooch may stop responding when you call due to hearing loss. You may also notice that your dog is off balance when walking or that they start walking around in circles. 

Over the years, we have come to realize that dogs are prone to ear infections and problems. This is because, unlike human ears, their ear canal is positioned in a way that retains water and debris, which in turn can lead to infections. 

As a result, various medications have been developed to deal with canine ear infections and these are medicines that are specially formulated for canines. The ear drops that are prescribed or sold for humans are not developed with canines in mind, which means that your dog will not respond to the drops in the same way that you would.

Through research over the years, it has been discovered that ear infections in dogs can be caused by a range of factors. Some of the key ones that have come to light include bacteria, yeast, wax, moisture, parasites, and even excessive hair. It has also been discovered that some dogs are more likely to develop ear infections than others, namely breeds with ears that are not erect and those that have a lot of hair growth in the ear canals. 

In the development of human ear drops, a range of chemicals is used in order to help treat the problem. However, these medicines have been created specifically for humans and not for animals. This is why it is recommended that you take your dog to the vet if you think it may have an ear infection, as human ear drops may prove ineffective or could make matters worse because they are not designed for your dog.   

There are now various canine ear drops and medications that are specifically designed to treat canine ear infections, and this is what your dog should be treated with.

An ear infection can be quite serious for a dog, as it can cause a lot of discomfort and pain as well as create additional issues. If you do not identify and treat the ear infection early on, it will simply get worse and worse, which will put your pooch through a lot of unnecessary suffering.

This is why you should make sure you are familiar with the signs of an ear infection in your dog and then keep your eyes peeled in case your pet displays any of these signs. If they do, there is a good chance that there is an infection or ear canal problem present.

If you are unsure whether your pet has an ear infection, you can check to see whether there is any discharge or odor coming from their ears. If there is, then there is an infection that will need to be treated. However, even if there is no discharge or odor but your dog continues to display signs that may indicate a problem with the ear, you still need to take them to see the vet so that a proper diagnosis can be made and the right treatment can be administered.

Once you take your dog in, which should be done at the earliest opportunity, the vet can carry out a detailed examination of the ear canal to see what the problem is and what has caused the infection. Medication can then be administered to treat the infection and also the cause – for instance, if the infection has been caused by an ear mite infestation, this is something that will need to be treated so that it doesn’t reoccur.