What are ear infections in Dogs and how to treat them ?

Dogs with large, pendulous ears tend to be more susceptible to ear infections. If you notice your dog scratching or pawing at his ears, shaking his head or rubbing his ear against the floor or furniture, that is a good indication that he may have an ear infection. More severe symptoms might include redness of the ear canal, scabs or crusts around the ear, hair loss around the ear, balance issues, walking in circles, pain and hearing loss. To treat an ear infection in your dog, the first step is to clean and dry the ear. If he is in a lot of pain, he may need to be sedated for this. An examination by your vet will determine what type of infection your dog may have and can likely be treated with a topical antibiotic or anti-fungal.