My dog keeps shaking her head and scratching her ears. Is this normal?
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Lucy may be dealing with an ear infection, or have something stuck in her ear. Ear infections can be caused by bacterial, parasitic or fungal infection, or a combination of these, and can be associated with dietary or environmental allergies or sensitivities, immune system disorders, or a combination of the above. Lucy needs to see a vet to have an ear swab done. Your vet can look at the sample under the microscope and treat appropriately based on what is found. Your vet will also need to examine the ear with a scope to see if the ear drum is intact, as some medications cannot be used safely if the eardrum is ruptured. An exam will also help your vet to see if there is anything stuck in the ear canal. Ear infections can be very painful, and can sometimes progress to include the middle or inner ear, where they can cause neurologic signs or permanent hearing loss. Please book an appointment to have Lucy seen as soon as possible to help get her feeling better. I do not recommend putting anything in the ear or using anything to clean it without consulting your vet, as some substances can be irritating to the ears.
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