Does your Frenchie have smelly ears that are also warm in touch and look red? If yes, then probably the French bulldog ear infection is on the way. An ear infection is one of the most painful conditions not only in humans but also in dogs. Since it can lead to severe complications if we leave it untreated, it’s highly important to visit the vet from the first noticed symptom.
Frenchie Ear Infections & Why Are They So Common?
Frenchies are famous for their bat ears, however, they’re also one of the reasons for developing common infections. Since they’re wide open, seasonal pollen, dirt, and even plant pieces can easily enter the ear and cause severe itchiness. Not only Frenchies but also dogs with floppy ears such as Cocker Spaniels and Shiba Inus who have pointy ears are also prone to this issue.
French Bulldogs Ear Infection Causes
Besides the facts we mentioned in the previous paragraph, other causes of an ear infection in your pet can be:
- Excessive cleaning (you should not clean Frenchie’s ears too often because that’s how you ruin the protective wax barrier. Ear wax protects the ears from infections and bacteria. However, if the wax builds up, it can also be the trigger for an ear infection. Therefore, the rule of thumb is to clean the dog’s ears once a week or every 10th
- Autoimmune disorders
- Endocrine disorders
- Ear injury or an element stuck in the ear (Owners of dogs with pointy ears should regularly check their ears for plant pieces, pebbles, sand, and other items. If a foreign body enters the ear, it will be not only a painful experience for your pet, but it can also cause an infection. The dog will start scratching and rubbing his ears to get rid of such feeling, however, it can only make things worse.
Signs Of Ear Infection In French Bulldog
Besides itchiness, you can also notice a smelly odor coming from the dog’s ears. Brown or yellowish discharge is also one of the symptoms as well as pinna that will be warm in touch. Pinna is the outer part of Frenchie’s ear that is made of cartilage and covered with fur and skin.
Other symptoms of French bulldog ear infection are:
- Swelling of the ear canal and redness
- Head tilting/shaking
- Painful in touch
- The dog doesn’t allow you to touch his ear
- Scabs in the ear
- Dark discharge
- Rubbing the ear onto the floor
Frenchie Ear Infection Treatment
French bulldog ear infections should be treated with antibiotic drops and special corticosteroid creams. Corticosteroids should not be used for a long period of time because they can make side effects. In addition to thinning the skin, they also impair the skin’s natural immunity. They can be of great help in the first 5 days when your dog needs to stop the itchiness. However, only antibiotics can kill the bacteria and heal the infection.
French Bulldog Ear Infection Treatment Without Going to The Vet
Well, it’s hard to treat the French bulldog ear infection without going to the vet. The ears are one of the most important body parts, so you have to be very careful with them. When an infection is left untreated, it can even lead to complete hearing loss. Therefore, we recommend you not treat your French bulldog’s ears in home conditions.
If your dog has an ear infection, you should take them to the vet immediately. If their eardrum is burst or damaged they might not be able to use certain cleaners and medications which could make things worse for them!
Chronic ear infections in French bulldogs can be a pain to deal with, but luckily there are many medications out on the market nowadays. Your vet will help you figure out which one is best for your pup’s symptoms and condition! We need to be sure that the infection has truly cleared before stopping treatment. If it doesn’t, then you could end up getting sick again with an even more resistant strain of bacteria!
To keep the dog’s ears healthy, you can use spirit French bulldog ear cleaner. This powder releases itchiness, a bad odor, and removes the ear excessive hair.
French bulldog ear cleaning solution is another product that will help maintain your dog’s ears healthy. Formulated specifically for dogs with sensitive ears, this solution helps to get rid of dirt, bacteria, and other debris that can cause discomfort and ear infections. Your furry friend will love feeling comfortable and itch-free again!
