Swimming related ear infection

[alschwahn]

We took Aspen for a walk today and let him play/swim in a creek for a few minutes. We left him at home around 5 pm and came home around 9 pm and realized that he had suddenly developed an ear infection. Is it possible for them to develop a water-related ear infection in just a few hours? Also, he only ever gets infections in his right ear, never the left. Does anyone know why this is?

 

[Beanwood]

Has he got a foreign object in there? I agree it would probably take more than a few hours for an infection to develop unless something was already brewing. Something irritating the lining of his ear, however, would cause a more immediate reaction, such as redness, swelling and evidence of discomfort, shaking, scratching for example, which would exacerbate the underlying problem. Hope it gets sorted soon, though, a quick trip to the vet maybe?

 

[Cath]

I once got water trapped in my ear when I had a shower, it was very painfully, it took a couple of days to come out. Maybe Aspen has done the same.

 

[Cath]

How is Aspen today?

 

[MellowYellow]

Yes, how is Aspen doing? It could be that he is a malformation of the middle or outer ear, that just means that air doesnt circulate as easily as in the other air, so that bacteria can get trapped more easily. Similarly, water may get trapped in his ear, which as Cath says can be painful.

 

[alschwahn]

We got drops and an ointment to put in his ear from the vet, the poor guy absolutely dreads the drops so we've got to be extra careful about making it not too scary for him. The ear infection is clearing up. We are going to have to remember to clean his ears right away after swimming sessions now that its summer! Thanks, everyone for the replies