My dog swims often. How can I prevent ear infections after swimming?

You can put a cotton ball down in the ears and this can help to keep some water out but you must remember to retrieve the cotton ball afterwards and realize that some water will still get in the ears. Your veterinarian carries cleaning solutions that can help to dry out any water that gets in the ear canal and it’s a good idea to use this after swim. Oscar is a little dog and so he loses body heat faster than a bigger dog. Dogs often don’t care about water temperature but if it is cold outside (low 70’s or below), I do not advise to let Oscar get in the water. I hope this is helpful and please feel free to post any additional questions.

Hi, thanks for using PetCoach! Poor Filio! Chronic otitis is usually a sign of allergies to food or the environment. If she eats mostly a chicken based diet I would change her to a different meat protein like fish, venison, beef or pork. Give it a good 2-3 months and do not offer any other treats or food that isn't the same protein as what is in the food you chose. I would highly recommend a long term medicated ear wash. And only used topical antibiotics and antifungals in the ear when she has an active infection. When there is an active infection I recommend cleaning every other day for 2 weeks and then decreasing slowly in frequency at one month intervals. Dogs with chronic infections should at least have their ears cleaned 1-2 times per week forever. Consider plucking the hair form her ears so there is more air flow through the ears. All that hair traps moisture. If she will not tolerate cotton in her ears then be extra careful with water on her head and around her ears. They also make drying drops. I would also clean her ears more frequently post bath. I hope this helps in some way! https://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?pcatid=24620 https://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?pcatid=27611

Yes, moisture can promote bacterial or fungal overgrowth in a dark, warm ear canal. To prevent this, place cotton balls in the ears before the bath. Don't forget to remove them afterwards. You can also use a cotton ball in the ear canal while tipping his head down to drain excess water. There are drying agents you can purchase from your veterinarian or a pet store as well. Isis should be examined by your veterinarian to confirm and treat any existing infection. A swab of the ear can be examined in the clinic and medication can be dispensed based on the diagnosis.

Try to not pour water over her head and you can put cotton balls in the ears. This will not create a waterproof barrier but can help to absorb small amounts of water. Just remember to remove them after the bath!

Hi, thanks for using PetCoach! I would avoid alcohol in the ears as it can be irritating and drying. I would use a good ear cleaner instead twice monthly. Below is an example of a good ear cleaner. Have a good day! https://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=3307+61+23848&pcatid=23848

Hi there and thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach to address your question. I would not recommend formulating your own ear cleaner and instead purchase a commercial ear cleaner. I would recommend using Zymox otic cleanser or Epi Otic ear cleanser. Both of these can be found online quite easily. Please let me know if you have any other questions or concerns and I would be more than happy to help you further. Please take the time to mark this question as helpful or not as it helps us to improve on the quality of our answers to other pet owners. Thank you kindly!

Hi there and thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach to address your concern. Based on your description, I am unsure as to where the infection is located. If it is in the ears and they are becoming infected, I would recommend having a veterinarian take a look at the ears so that the most appropriate diagnostic and treatment recommendations can be made. If the ears just have a moderate amount of wax in them, you can use an over the counter veterinary product called Zymox otic cleanser. If after using this product for 7 days there is no improvement, I would recommend bringing Pearl to a veterinarian for further treatment. I hope this helps! Please let me know if you have any other questions or concerns and I would be more than happy to help you further.