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How to Get Rid of Yeast in a Dog's Ears

| Updated September 26, 2017

Things You'll Need

  • Ear-cleaning solution

  • Antifungal ear drops

  • Cotton balls

Ear disease is very common in dogs. Up to 20 percent of all dogs experience inflammation of the outer-ear canal, according to PetEducation.com. Ear-yeast infection is a primary cause. Yeast is a fungus that flourishes in damp, warm environments. Dog ears, particularly those that are floppy and hairy, are ideal for yeast growth. In dogs with allergies, the condition is intensified because allergies cause increased ear-wax production. Therefore, the first step to preventing chronic ear-yeast infections is to identify possible allergens. Getting rid of ear yeast requires daily cleaning.

Wipe out the outer area of your dog’s ear with a cotton ball soaked with ear-cleaning solution, warmed to body temperature. You can warm the solution by placing the bottle in your pocket for an hour before you start.

Fill the ear, gently, with the warmed solution and massage for a few minutes. Massaging the base of the ear spreads the solution into the ear canal.

Let your dog shake its head. This removes the resultant dirt and solution.

Wipe the dog's ears with a cotton ball to remove any remaining dirt and fluid.

Treat the ears with antifungal ear drops. Look for a brand that has chlorhexidine to kill the yeast fungus. Non-diluted chlorhexidine is classified as a cleanser. However, in diluted form, veterinarians use it to fight yeast and fungus, as well as bacteria on the skin, ears and mouth.

Repeat daily for seven to 14 days.

Tips

  • Praise your dog and reward it throughout the procedure for good behavior. Your veterinarian can prescribe an antihistamine or steroid to relieve itching.

Warnings

  • Do not force the tip of the ear-wash bottle into the ear canal. This can result in a ruptured ear drum if you squeeze the contents too forcefully. Dogs with yeast infections frequently have bacterial infections that require oral antibiotics.