How Are Ear Infections Treated In German Shepherds
During an appointment with your veterinarian, your dogs ears will be thoroughly flushed and cleaned using a medicated ear cleanser.
Your veterinarian may prescribe an ear cleanser and a topical medication for you to use at home, but in severe cases, oral antibiotics and anti-inflammatory medications may be prescribed. Once treatment is started, most basic ear infections resolve within a couple of weeks.
Todays Veterinary Practice explains It is always critical to follow your veterinarians instructions closely and to finish the full course of all prescribed medications because finish the full course of treatment may lead to additional problems such as antibiotic-resistant infections.
What Are German Shepherds Ears Like At Birth
GSD puppies are born with floppy ears set against the side of the head. As puppies mature, their ears usually start to stand up naturally. However, for various reasons, some dogs have ears that stay floppy.
According to Train Your GSD, many Shepherd owners expect the ears to stand up earlier than is usual.
Take Your German Shepherd To The Veterinarian
There are a few methods you can try to help get your German Shepherds ears up. But the first thing you have to do would be to get your dog checked by the vet. That way, your vet will be able to determine whether your dogs ears are down due to parasites or malnutrition, and will thus be able to provide you with the possible remedies for the underlying cause of your German Shepherds floppy ears.
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Taking Care Of Your German Shepherd Dog At Home
Much of what you can do to keep your dog happy and healthy is common sense, just like it is for people. Watch her diet, make sure she gets plenty of exercise, regularly brush her teeth and coat, and call us or a pet emergency hospital when something seems unusual . Be sure to adhere to the schedule of examinations and vaccinations that we recommend for her. This is when well give her the necessary check-ups and test for diseases and conditions that are common in Shepherds. Another very important step in caring for your pet is signing up for pet health insurance. There will certainly be medical tests and procedures she will need throughout her life and pet health insurance will help you cover those costs.
Do German Shepherd Puppies Have Floppy Ears
German Shepherds are one of the most striking breeds, and their large, triangle-shaped ears are a classic feature that we expect to see. So if you have a German Shepherd puppy youre likely wondering should he have floppy ears? is this normal?When German Shepherds start life, they have small, floppy ears that fold over to the front side. So yes, German Shepherd puppies do have floppy ears. And its completely normal.It can be quite a concern for new puppy owners who see their GSDs floppy ears when they were expecting the classic upright triangle pyramids! So lets get into when you can expect your German Shepherd to have upright ears.
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German Shepherd Ear Health
Like all other purebred dogs, German Shepherds are prone to certain genetic health problems. This breed doesnt suffer from any inherited ear problems, however German Shepherds that have allergies can experience recurring ear infections.
If this is the case, the most important thing is to discover the allergen and limit your dogs exposure to it. By doing so, you will also minimize the chance of painful ear infections.
How Do You Treat Ear Yeast Infections
If you suspect your German Shepherd has a yeast ear infection, you need to take him to the vet immediately. The vet will then use an otoscope to check your dogs ear canal to see whats causing the infection.
They will also get a sample of the discharge or any material from around there ear, examining it under the microscope. Through doing so, hell determine whether the infection comes from bacteria, yeast, or both.
For ear yeast infections around the outer ear canal, the vet will prescribe medications like antifungal creams and ointments. For infections around the middle ear, systemic medications will be given . Sometimes, surgery may be needed, taking up to six weeks before the infection heals. Besides this, the vet may ask to give a full cleaning of your dogs ear canal.
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Why Does It Take Five To Eight Months For Your Gsds Ears To Stand Up Naturally
German Shepherd puppies need time to develop healthy cartilage that can hold up the weight of their ears. When they are finished teething, usually, youll start to see their ears beginning to perk up and flop down back and forth.
If their ears can permanently become straight just before the end of the five months , then their ears will be straight and pointy otherwise they might get floppy ears for the rest of their life.
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Brief History Of German Shepherd
The German Shepherd is a medium to large-sized dog breed that originated in Germany in 1899. While originally developed to work as herding dogs, German Shepherds have evolved and become all-purpose working dogs.
Thanks to their intelligence, agility, strength, and loyalty, this breed is preferred by police and military and also used for all types of work including search-and-rescue and as service dogs.
While original German Shepherds were primarily bred as working dogs, the modern German Shepherds are subjected by scrutiny. In the U.S breeders put an accent on looks and started breeding German Shepherds with an extremely sloping back that resulted in poor gait in back legs.
Luckily, some U.S breeders have begun to value the breeds working abilities and traditional appearance and started to breed German Shepherds with a straight back.
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How To Make Homemade Ear Cleaner For German Shepherds
While there are veterinarian-approved ear cleaners for dogs available on the market, it is possible to make a tried-and-tested homemade ear cleaner to use. Keeping a pet can often involve some hidden costs or expenses, though cleaning your German Shepherds ears at home using a homemade ear cleaner can help save on various costs.
You should wear gloves while combining the following ingredients, and avoid getting the chemicals in your eyes. This homemade ear cleaner may also stain certain materials, so it is recommended to clean your German Shepherds ears outside. To create your own homemade ear cleaner for your furry friends, youll need to combine the following ingredients:
Routine Care Diet And Exercise
Build her routine care into your schedule to help your GSD live longer, stay healthier, and be happier during her lifetime. We cannot overemphasize the importance of a proper diet and exercise routine.
- Supervise your pet as you would a toddler. Keep doors closed, pick up after yourself, and block off rooms as necessary. This will keep her out of trouble and away from objects she shouldnt put in her mouth.
- She needs a thorough brushing at least weekly most of the year. Twice a year she blows her coat and loses crazy amounts of hair; daily brushing is recommended during this time.
- German Shepherd Dogs generally have good teeth, and you can keep them perfect by brushing them at least twice a week!
- Clean her ears weekly, even as a puppy. Dont worrywell show you how!
- She has a high prey drive, so she needs to be leash walked and a fenced yard is a must.
- Shes a large smart dog with lots of energy, so keep her mind and body active, or shell get bored. Thats when the naughty stuff starts.
- Naturally a bit wary, shes distrustful of strangers; bond her to children early to trigger protective behaviors.
- Keep your dogs diet consistent and dont give her people food.
- Feed a high-quality diet appropriate for her age.
- Exercise your dog regularly, but dont overdo it at first.
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Best Ear Cleaning Solution For German Shepherd Dogs
Most German Shepherd Dog owners and Veterinarians recommend Zymox Ear Cleanser for cleaning the ears of German Shepherd Dogs. However, if your dog has infected ears they may need an anti-inflammatory, antibacterial or antibiotic treatment.
Most German Shepherd Dogs need regular ear cleanings to prevent infections, yeast and mites. Below are your best options for ear cleaning solutions.
So When Do Puppy Ears Stand Up
Theres no single answer to this question, and many variables have to be looked at.
Firstly, all puppies are born with closed, floppy ears. Their ears begin to open around two to two-and-a-half weeks. The point at which the large floppy bits, called the pinnae, begin to stand differs wildly between breeds and individuals.;
To get an idea of when the pinnae will become erect, you will have to check the following:
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When Do German Shepherds Ears Start To Stand Up
German Shepherd puppies ears usually become erect between four and seven months old. You can reasonably expect erect ears by around eight months old. Some puppies ears might start to go up before four months as well.
Dont be surprised if your puppy has erect ears that flop when teething starts. Calcium that would generally nourish the ears is reallocated to the teeth during this time. You can expect the ears to become erect after the teething stops, around 20 weeks.
After a puppy is no longer teething, they will start retaining enough cartilage in the ears to help hold them up. GSDs ears are heavier than they appear, and the cartilage must be sufficient to help keep that position.
A sign of ears that are likely to stay erect are ears that become pointy once they start to stand. Its reasonable to see some movement up and down after this point until they become permanently straight.
If your puppy reaches four or five months without any sign of the ears standing up, you might need to give him or her some help. When the ears are not erect by around seven or eight months, they are likely to retain a floppy position.
Ear Problems Leading To Otitis In Dogs
Ear problems are one of the most common reasons that dog owners seek veterinary care. Inflammation or infection of the ear, called otitis, can be a particularly frustrating problem for you and a painful ordeal for your dog.;
Why are ear problems so common in dogs?To understand why youve never had an ear infection and yet your dog suffers constantly with one episode after another, just look at his ears. Does he have cute, floppy ear flaps that hang down and cover the openings to his ear canals? They may make him look adorable, but they also obstruct air flow and contribute to the creation of a cozy, warm, moist environment underneath. What about hair? Try to look down inside the ear canal. Do you see a nice, smooth, accessible tunnel or an opening that is obliterated by a mass of fuzzy hairs that can trap even more moisture and debris?
While youre looking into his ear canal, what else do you notice? When your doctor looks into your ear, the view is straight in horizontally through the canal to the ear drum. Not so for a dog. From the visible opening your dogs ear canal heads straight down vertically and then makes a right-angle turn before finally proceeding horizontally to reach the eardrum. The shape of the canal means even less air flow, more trapped moisture and a more difficult path for anything to work up and out of the canal. It also means anything good have a more difficult path to travel.
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What Are The Symptoms Of Ear Infections In German Shepherds
Some German Shepherds may not;show any;symptoms of an ear infection aside from a buildup of ear wax or discharge in the ear canal.
Ear infections can;cause significant discomfort and irritation, and most dogs will show signs such as:
- Shaking the head and ears
- Painful ears
- Dark, sticky discharge coming from the ear
- Distinct odor coming from the ear
- Swelling and redness in the ear canal
- The appearance of scabs in and around the ear
What To Watch For
Any abnormal symptom could be a sign of serious disease, or it could just be a minor or temporary problem. The important thing is to be able to tell when to seek veterinary help, and how urgently. Many diseases cause dogs to have a characteristic combination of symptoms, which together can be a clear signal that your German Shepherd Dog needs help.
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Why Are My German Shepherds Ears Floppy
As you probably know, all German shepherds are;born with floppy ears.
This is because their ears contain cartilage thats intended to support their ears and help them maintain their characteristic pointy shape. Its just like the cartilage that humans have in our outer ears.
When German shepherd puppies are first born, however, this cartilage hasnt fully developed yet and doesnt have the strength to support the puppys ear, so the ears hang limply around the puppys head instead of always being perked up.
In general, it takes about five to eight months for a German shepherd puppys ears to straighten out on their own. During that time, the ears will usually perk up a little bit and then fall back down, and this process might even repeat itself a few times.
You may also notice that after a certain point your puppy might have one ear sticking up and one ear remaining completely floppy.
This is also totally normal and not any sort of cause for alarm. The cartilage in each ear doesnt always develop at the same rate, so just give it more time and youll be sure to see the second ear perk up eventually too.
In general, the straightening of the ears tends to coincide with the end of your German shepherds teething period.
However, even after waiting for eight months or more, your German shepherds ears might still be floppy. Again, this is a fairly common issue but not a very serious one. In fact, something like one in five German shepherds will never develop pointy ears.
The After Running Around Smell
Just like when you and I work out or run around in the heat, we start to sweat and smell. Dogs do the same thing.
I can always tell when my dog has been outside running around because she will have a certain sharp smell to her when she comes back in the house. It is not really that bad of a smell and it is totally normal.
When the dogs get back inside from playing they are usually panting as well. When they are panting they are moving a lot of hair through their mouths and if they have any dental tartar then this can be a secondary issue! When do dog stops panting, hopefully, this will be reduced! You could also get an appointment for a dental cleaning to reduce the smelly plaque.
How to get rid of the smell?
The best way to get rid of this after running around smell is to let the dog cool off and calm down. Give him/her about 30 min then retest the smell. I will likely be gone!.
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Encourage Exercising Of The Ear Muscles
Since muscle tone is one of the reasons why your German Shepherds ears may not stand up, encouraging your dog to exercise his ear muscles can help. You may not know this but dogs have more than a dozen ear muscles that they use for turning, perking, raising, and lowering the ears.
You can invite your dog to use their ear muscles through a couple of techniques:
- Chew Toys: Chewing toys can exercise a dogs jaw muscles. These muscles are attached to your dogs ear muscles, so encouraging your dog to chew good dog toys can also strengthen your dogs ear muscles and increase the likelihood that their ears will stand up. I love KONG chew toys as they are great for German Shepherds, and you can get a varied and interesting selection. You cant go wrong with the KONG Classic from Amazon as its great for chew, chase, and fetch, and you can even stuff it with treats!
- Making interesting little noises around your dog can encourage him to perk up his ears and move them around. You can even buy a clicker for dog training to make some of these noises. This type of training is a great way to train your German Shepherd.
Prevent And Treat Parasites
Parasites can hinder your dogs overall health, and this can lead to the weakening of both muscle tone and cartilage strength in your dogs ears. It is best to keep an eye on your dog and to regularly check for parasites.
Keep on top of your German Shepherds flea treatment as a means of prevention. If your dog has a parasite or you suspect he does, take him to the vet for a check-up.
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Health Concerns Associated With Floppy Ears On A German Shepherd
When a dogs ears lay flat, less air can circulate through their ears, and more moisture can build up. This can lead to a couple of issues, including:
- Need for more frequent cleaning: It is always essential to clean your dogs ears, whether they are pointy or not, but if your dog has floppy ears, they will need to have their ears cleaned more often than dogs with pointy ears.
- Higher risk of ear infections: Even with frequent cleanings, floppy-eared dogs are prone to ear infections due to the heat and moisture trapped by their ears lying down.
- High risk of ear injuries: Having floppy ears also leaves your dogs ears more vulnerable to potential harm. Their ears are more likely to get caught in something or to get bitten and torn when playing or fighting.
- High risk of hearing damage: If an ear infection or injury is severe enough, your dog could experience hearing damage and even total hearing loss.
Floppy dog ears may be cute, but they do require extra care and attentiveness than pointy dog ears.
Ideally, your German Shepherds ears will naturally become pointy as they get older, but there are some things you can do to encourage this process.