I know how to treat it as my lab gets cronic ear infections. I was just wondering if the cattle dog breeds are prone to it too. What my lab gets can't be passed to other dogs so I know he didn't get it from our lab. Yes, he is already being treated for it ... I was just curious.
any breed with floppy ears are more prone to getting ear infections because they can get moisture in the ear canal and be unable to get it out by shaking their head were as a dog with ears that are up can easily get it out with shaking. it also depends ont eh immune system of the animal. just like people they can rarely ever be sick or be sick all the time. you never know until you spend time with them.
Cattle dogs aren't particularly prone to ear infections as a breed. Breeds prone to ear infections generally have drop ears, hair obstructing or partially obstructing the ear canal, and/or a tendency to get water or debris in the ear due to lifestyle (swimming, field work). Ear infections (with the exception of ear mites) are not considered to be contagious to other dogs, but if there is a lifestyle issue that is causing the infection, it may cause it in more than one dog in the family.
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We have a Cattle Dog mix with chronic ear infections, but they are related to his allergies and the artificial creation of a drop-ear from his semi-erect ear due to a hematoma. Only the ear that had surgery gets infected.
Long and/or floppy-eared dogs tend to have issues with their ears. I have Cockers and I have to treat my dog's ears constantly. Most dog ear infections are yeast related and yeast needs a warm, moist environment to grow.
Try to trim any hair from the opening in your dog's ears to help air get to it. Then clean regularly. This web site had a recipe for a home made ear cleaner. The ingredients are easy to get from a pharmacy. I would make some up and use it every day whenever you see them scratching. Then I would use it weekly for prevention.
http://www.zimfamilycockers.com/EarClean ... Also go read the ingredients panel on your dog food as grain allergies might be contributing to the yeast overgrowth and frequent ear infections. Most vets were not trained in pet nutrition and will recommend popular foods (or the Science D *** they sell) but not tell you to eliminate grains. Check these sites to understand good dog foods:
pets question and answers,www.5d2d.com http://www.dogfoodadvisor.com/ http://www.dogfoodanalysis.com/ Hope this helps!
