CHRONIC EAR INFECTIONS IN DOGS - the road to healing
| Step 1: Identify the allergen and eliminate or manage exposure |
Often the underlying cause for recurring ear infections is allergies. For best results in managing your dog's ear infections you will need to determine the source of the allergy. Keep in mind that your dog may suffer from multiple allergies and understand that it may be difficult to isolate them all or eliminate all sources. The Allergy Detective Guide included with the Essential Ear Health Kit can help you, along with guidance from your veterinarian.
Even if you are unable to eliminate the source of the allergy, the remaining steps of the plan are often helpful in reducing the frequency and severity of infections.
Note: If your dog is diabetic or has an immune suppressing disease, there may not be an allergy involved.
Skip to step 2.
| Step 2: Anti-Inflammatory Supplements - your dog's best friend |
 Adding additional amounts of long chain fatty acids, found in the highest concentrations in fish oil, to your dog's diet can help protect against future infections as well as reduce inflammation, swelling and itching during a recurrence.
Nutri-Vet Wild Salmon Oil comes from 100% wild salmon, not farmed sources. Giving only wild salmon is important because it has higher levels of beneficial omega-3 and lower levels of saturated fats. In addition, farmed salmon has been shown to have higher levels of PCBs, dioxins and other contaminants, than wild caught salmon.
| Step 3: Control Yeast Overgrowth - an often overlooked culprit |
Many pets that suffer from allergies also have issues with yeast overgrowth. Unfortunately a lot of the conventional treatments for allergy symptoms (steroids and antibiotics) increase the likelihood of yeast problems, creating a vicious cycle. Probiotics promote a healthy intestinal tract, improve food digestion, and help inhibit the overgrowth of yeast. Probiotics should be combined with digestive enzymes for optimum results.
 Gentle Digest is a human grade probiotic that promotes the growth of friendly bacteria in your dog's digestive tract. Unlike other products, Gentle Digest uses live microencapsulated spores which are resistant to gastric acids and therefore ensure delivery to the intestines. In addition, it is shelf stable and no refrigeration is required.
Canine Digestive Enzymes - Yeast infections often indicate a digestive enzyme deficiency. Enzymes are necessary to properly breakdown food and absorb nutrients. This is especially important given today's non-raw pet diets. Used in conjunction with a probiotic, digestive enzymes help maintain a healthy digestive tract to control yeast overgrowth. Dr. Goodpet's Canine Digestive Enzymes are formulated especially to be effective on your dog's protein/carbohydrate mixed diet.
| Step 4: Proper care and hygiene to keep ears healthy |
It is recommended to trim or pluck excess hairs inside your dog's ears. This will allow for better ventilation and is especially important for breeds with floppy ears.
Dogs with allergies and yeast overgrowth have higher incidences of wax build-up and other secretions. This sets up a ripe environment for infection, making ear hygiene very important. Using a wash of 50% white household vinegar diluted with 50% distilled water several times a week can help control external yeast.
Get all the essential supplements plus information to help you get control of your dog's chronic infections.
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