An ear infection is a medical condition known as acute otitis media, which is characterised by bacterial infestation in the middle of the ear, directly behind the ear drum.This further causes a stabbing pain in your ear and lowers the quality of your hearing.
Furthermore, the ear infection may cause nausea and intermittent fever. An ear infection comes into existence when a fluid is stuck behind the eardrum, which then causes it to swell. This results in either a sudden, sharp earache or a dull but constant earache.You will feel your ears blocked or full.
Pets are such a blessing to us human beings. They bring so much joy into our lives that it’s difficult not to accept them as family members, despite the fact that they are expensive.So, your dog has an ear infection and you cannot afford a vet?
And now you are wondering if there is a home remedy for treating dog ear infections. Well, much to your delight, essential oils are an effective dog ear infection treatment.
You may have heard of them, but do you actually know what essential oils are? Well, essential oils are mixtures extracted from various plants and used for aromatherapy or alternative medicine. These essential oils are known for providing effective remedies for various mental and physical ailments.
How? To answer your question in simple terms, the essential oil contains antibacterial and disinfectant properties, also known as antimicrobial properties, that eliminate germs, thereby treating infections.
These miracle oils are typically applied to the skin and sometimes massaged for a healthy recovery without any harmful side effects. Moreover, you can also dilute them in water and spray them around your surroundings through a diffuser. However, it is strictly recommended against swallowing or ingesting them in any way or form.
Essential Oils For Dog’s Ear Infection
Coconut oil and tea tree oil for dog ear infection are commonly known among households. But, let’s dive in detail.
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Tea Tree Oil
The tea tree oil contains a substance known as terpinen-4-ol which contains antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial properties. This was confirmed by a study conducted in 2006, which explored these properties of tea tree oil, also known as Melaleuca alternifolia, and how it effectively reduces the symptoms of infections.
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Basil Essential Oil
The basil oil is also medically referred to as Ocimum basilicum and is a probable solution for curing ear infections in dogs.
This notion is confirmed by a study conducted in 2005 by Hannes Peterson and others, which was based on finding whether the application of fluids like essential oils on the ear canal would prove to be an effective treatment for acute otitis media, i.e., ear infections.
The hypothesis of this study was supported by conducting experiments on rats suffering from various infections, including an ear infection. It was thus found that the basil essential oil has the capability of showing significant positive results in treating ear infections.
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Oregano Essential Oil
The Mexican variant of oregano oil also known as lippia graveolens is a good enough treatment for ear infections in dogs. However, no strong studies have proven guaranteed a hundred per cent ( 100 % ) effectiveness rate when pitted against a brutal ear infection.
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Coconut Essential Oil
The coconut essential oil is known for effectively and efficiently killing the bacteria that causes ear infections especially in dogs. All you have to do is drop lukewarm coconut essential oil in your furry little pal’s infected ear every two ( 02 ) to three ( 03 ) hours.
Once your dog’s ear infection is treated, you can use the same technique every two weeks to ensure that your dog’s ear is clean and devoid of any such bacteria.
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Jojoba Essential Oil
The jojoba essential oil is great for gently cleaning your dog’s infected ear. Not only does it clean all the bacteria, but it is also effective for cleaning the wax from your dog’s ear.
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Olive Oil
Warm olive oil diluted with a small portion of apple cider vinegar is an excellent natural treatment for ear infections in dogs. However, it is very important to make sure that there are no open wounds; otherwise, this solution could cause irritability in your dog’s ear.
To apply this awesome solution, you can apply a few drops onto a cotton ball and massage the base of your dog’s infected ear.
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Garlic Oil
Garlic oil is another essential oil that works well in cleaning out the bacteria from your dog’s infected ear. However, it is a rather strong compound and can cause a burning sensation; hence, it should be diluted like any other essential oil. Coconut oil works best with garlic oil, but any other carrier oil will work effectively as well.
So, now you know which essential oils are effective in treating ear infections in dogs and how to use them. Now you need to focus on what not to do while using or applying them.
What Not To Do?
When your dog is suffering from an ear infection, it is best to protect your dog’s ear from water. This is because bacterial and/or yeast infections best thrive in moist and warm surroundings. Hence, the best you can do here is to keep your dog’s infected ear dry and clean.
Moreover, it is very important that you DO NOT USE Q-Tips for cleaning, as they will most likely push the bacteria, yeast, and dirt further into the ear canal and hence cause bigger problems.
Conclusion
In conclusion, we would like to recommend that you not delay in treating your dog’s ear infection. Get on with the cleaning as soon as you find your dog suffering from any of the symptoms of an ear infection. However, in this scenario, the first step should be to take your dog to the vet and consult on treatment options.
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