Spring has arrived and with it, warm weather. Actually, hot weather in South Florida! With the change of seasons comes the changes in our dog care routines. Dogs go back on heartworm preventative, start getting out of the house more, etc. Warm weather brings pests and creatures that bite and infect dogs with parasites, so it is more important then ever that your dog’s immune system is functioning on high.

Our biggest challenge in my home is Louis’ ears. I have written about the canine ear before (The Better to Hear You With), but since have found some new approaches to care.

Louis is a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel. He has floppy ears that are the perfect, warm, dark and moist breeding ground for bacteria and yeast. With the humidity and heat, Louis ears started smelling foul and he was secreting a dark brown, sticky discharge. This was a yeast infection. Rather then take him to the vet for a course of antibiotics, experience and education has taught me a better approach - probiotics.

By promoting healthy bacteria throughout his system by use of probiotics (or acidophilus), his body has a defense system with which to fight unhealthy bacteria and yeast. Antibiotics on the other hand, destroy bacteria, both good and bad. This results in a destructive environment that ineveitably will be worse once the course of antibiotics is complete. With healthy bacteria dead, the body must regenerate and is less effective at fighting off anything icky.

Poor Louis was scratching at his ears constantly, determined to relieve his discomfort. We did an herbal ear flush twice daily but no sooner did we get them clean, then the odor returned along with the discharge. I picked up some extra strength probiotic at Whole Foods and started sprinkling the contents of the capsules on his meals. I also added a lunchtime snack of plain yogurt, a natural probiotic to support the supplement. Within a week and a half, Louis’ ears are markedly improved.

If your dog does develop a bacterial infection and needs antibiotic treatment, supplementing with a probiotic can help maintain the presence of healthy bacteria, ensuring his health and keeping his immunity highly functional. If you aren’t sure what is wrong with your pet’s ears, go to a vet immediately. You must seek assistance to avoid a hematoma or closure of the ear canal. It is only because I have experience with Louis’ ears that I am comfortable treating him at home. If his symptoms had worsened, we would have visited his doctor. As you learn your dog’s weakness, you too can use home remedies instead of veterinary intervention in non emergency, non life threatening situations.

Yeast is not just a problem for ears. Moisture trapped between paw pads, wrinkles and under a coat of fur can create a yeasty environment. Dogs begin to frantically itch or compulsively chew their paws. Hotspots and open wounds can result, compounding the original issue. Probiotics assist your dog in keeping conditions like this at bay.

Additionally, probiotics assist in digestive processes, ensuring easier digestion and regular stools.

The word probiotic literally means “for life.” These organisms are your pets first line of defense against all harmful microorganisms. Besides helping Louis with his yeasty ears and the benefits listed above, probiotics reduce cholesterol, manufacture biotin, folic acid and B vitamins, regulate immune system activity, detoxify harmful environmental chemicals that enter the gastrointestinal system and reduce inflammation.

Get your pet (and yourself!) on some good, high quality probiotics and enjoy the benefits of healthier living.

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