Best Probiotic For Ear Infection

Types Of Dog Ear Infections

There are several types of ear infections in dogs characterized by where the infection is located. Ear infection types include:

1) Otitis Externa

Otitis externa is an infection of the outer ear canal. It can be caused by bacteria, fungi or yeast and is characterized by inflammation and redness in the affected area.

Common symptoms include your dog constantly scratching their ears and shaking their head excessively, along with a foul odor coming from their ears.

The most common causes of this condition are swimming pools, allergies and ear mites, but it can also be caused by bacteria that spread to the outer ear canal as a result of trauma .

In rare cases where these conditions aren’t present it could mean your dog has cancerous lesions on their skin however this isn’t common so it’s best to see your veterinarian if you notice any unusual symptoms in order to rule out other possible problems before treating for otitis externa.

Traditional treatment for otitis externa involves antibiotics plus antifungal or antimicrobial drops applied directly into the affected area every day for about two weeks .

If left untreated it can lead to complications such as swelling around both sides of their face however proper treatment should clear up any existing infections within just a few days so don’t worry too much if something like this happens!

2) Otitis Media

Otitis media is an inflammation of the middle ear, which is the air-filled space behind your dog’s eardrum.

3) Otitis Interna

Common Canine Health Problems

Why give our dogs probiotics? Doesnt dog food give them enough vitamins and minerals to keep them healthy?

Yes and no. While a well-balanced diet of protein-rich food does satisfy their nutritional needs, dogs can still suffer numerous bacterial infections resulting from wounds, being around infectious dogs and a reduced immune system response that cannot fight off opportunistic infections.

Dogs spread bacterial diseases such as kennel cough, leptospirosis and brucellosis to other dogs as well. Diseases such as Lyme disease and Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever caused by tick bites are also forms of bacterial infections that can debilitate a dogs health.

Many bacteria-based, canine gastrointestinal illnesses are due to the strong, instinctual urge dogs have to scavenge, which naturally leads to dogs having indiscriminate appetites. Consequently, GI upset characterized by vomiting, diarrhea and constipation frequently affects dogs that spend time roaming outdoors and investigating interesting smells. Moving to a new home, dietary changes, weaning, taking antibiotics and aging can also have detrimental effects on the delicate balance of canine intestinal microflora.

How Can I Give My Dog Probiotics

First of all, we should note that some commercial dog food formulas contain added probiotics. However, if your dog needs an additional boost, the number of live cultures in the dog food is not enough.

In such cases, you need to consider probiotics for dogs in the form of supplements. Luckily, there are different forms of probiotics for dogs powders, capsules, liquids, soft chews, and treats. This gives you the freedom to choose which option is best for you and your pup.

You can also use some natural sources of probiotics for dogs like yogurt and kefir. For optimal results, add a supplement product to your dogs regimen and occasionally enrich its meals with natural probiotics for dogs.

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Azo Complete Feminine Balance Daily Probiotics For Women

Like the previous Culturelle probiotic, AZO Complete Feminine Balance is owned by the same company, i-Health, Inc. In fact, both have virtually the same probiotic formula. The AZO Complete Feminine Balance formula has 4 probiotic strains: Lactobacillus crispatus LBV 88, Lactobacillus rhamnosus LBV 96, Lactobacillus gasseri LBV 150N, Lactobacillus jensenii LBV 116 and has 5 billion microorganisms versus 15 billion of its equivalent in Culturelle.

The properties of the product are similar to the previous one although, as it has a lower probiotic load, it is more recommendable if you have never tried a probiotic and this is the first time you are taking it.

The 5 Best Probiotics For Recurrent Yeast Infections

Chronic yeast infections are an incredibly common ailment that women dread discovering. When bacteria infect vaginal tissues, the result is a sensitive, painful, and uncomfortable situation that can easily escalate into serious health problems if left unattended.

Despite how common yeast infections are, many women are not doing enough to prevent them from recurring. There is actually a way to build up resistance to these types of infections while treating them at the same time!

The best probiotics for recurrent yeast infections may be the key to getting rid of most or all of your infections, no matter how invincible your infection may seem at times.

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Summertime Swimming: Oral Probiotics For Healthy Ears

Nothing says summer like taking a dip in the pool, floating down the river, or catching waves at the beach. And if you have kids, youre probably acutely aware of the not-so-fun risk that these aquatic adventures can pose to your entire family of swimmers: clogged, achy ears.

You see, excess moisture in the earfrom swimming, bathing, rain, or even being outside in the elementscan lead to trapped water in the ear canal. Most common in swimmers, this stuck water can create a moist environment conducive to unwanted bacteria, leading to that uncomfortable, sometimes painful feeling.

The good news is that several natural remedies can help support summertime ear health for the whole family:

• Shake it out! To prevent water from getting trapped in the ear canal, shake out any extra liquid after swimming or bathing. To do the happy ear dance, hop on one foot while simultaneously turning that same ear towards the ground to let gravity do its job. You may look silly, but your ears will thank you!

• Go for the garlic oil. Garlic, a natural antimicrobial, can help to get rid of any harmful bacteria growing in the ear canal1. You can purchase already-formulated garlic oil or make your own by adding minced garlic to olive oil and heating on low for 20 minutes. Allow to cool, strain out the garlic, and drop 2-3 drops in the affected ear.

Taking Care of the Oral Microbiome

Probiotics for Healthy Ears

Oral Probiotics: Easy on the Ears

References:

Oral Probiotic Study One

In one test, 40 adults with a history of strep throat infections and/or tonsillitis were split into two groups. For 90 days, one group was given a supplement containing S. Salivarius K12 and the control group was not given this supplement.

Afterwards, for 6 months, the researchers tracked the health of each adult.

• The group that received oral probiotic supplementation saw an 80% reduction in strep throat infections and tonsillitis.
• The control group saw no change over the six months.
• With no harmful side effects amongst the probiotic recipients and a dramatic decrease in strep throat and tonsillitis, the researchers concluded that the use of oral probiotic S. Salivius K12 to be useful in the reduction of these throat infections.

There were no negative side effects reported from the oral probiotic treatment. Nor were there any drop-outs among the oral probiotic group.

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A Quick Review Of Utis

Urinary tract infections are conditions in which the ureter, urethra, bladder, and kidneys may become infected. Most UTIs occur in the bladder, in which case it is known as cystitis. A UTI that spreads to the kidneys is called pyelonephritis.

Women are up to 30 times more likely to develop a UTI than men. The reason behind this difference is that the female urethra is much shorter than that of the male, so it is easier for bacteria to enter the urinary tract. Symptoms of a UTI can include burning or pain when urinating, pressure in the lower abdomen, a strong urge to urinate, foul-smelling urine, bloody urine, having a fever, or feeling weak, tired, or confused.

One of the best ways to help prevent UTIs is to practice good bathroom habits. Its important to remember to wipe from the front to the back after eliminating in the bathroom to help prevent infections.

Which Are The Best Probiotics For Candida

As Candida yeasts are natural residents of the human body, doctors are often reluctant to offer allopathic support unless the condition manifests as obvious fungal infections such as thrush. Even then, their arsenal is limited to anti-fungal medicines, though itâs been encouraging to note that some doctors are now suggesting that their patients consider natural supplements including probiotics.

It is very important to select the right strain of probiotic for the right condition, however, and so its best to use those products containing species and strains that have been well-researched and shown to help discourage and address Candida overgrowth. To find out more about probiotic strains and what exactly a âstrainâ is, see this article What are Probiotics?, over in our sister site, the Probiotics Learning Lab.

The best probiotics for Candida include:

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Probiotic Miracle: The #4 Selling Pet Probiotic Disappoints

Probiotic Miracle markets itself as the number one selling canine probiotic. Our research indicates it is more likely the number four selling product on the market and well behind Purina, Pet Ultimate, and VetriScience products. Consumers of this probiotic tout it for clearing up eye, skin, and yeast conditions in addition to joint inflammation issues. A majority of users gave this product high ratings, although a small percentage reported a reduction in gas but ineffectiveness for other symptoms. Given that a small percentage of users had poor or mixed reviews, we would give it a C+,â however, the money-back guarantee bumps this product up to a B-.â

Ingredients: 2 billion CFU per serving, six strains of bacteria: L. acidophilus, B. animalis, L. rhamnosus, L. salivarius, L. fermentum, L. reuteri. Also contains pre-biotics. 100% natural, vegetarian, no gluten, no dairy, no soy, no fillers, no flavorings.

Probiotic Miracle does offer a 100% money-back guarantee, with guaranteed results against diarrhea, loose stool, and yeast overgrowth. However, this product requires time to build up in the system and the guarantee expires 60 days from product shipment.

People with multiple dogs with gluten allergies and issues with loose stool and yeast-related problems may want to try this product before trying one of the more expensive ones. Keep an eye on the calendar if you want to take advantage of the money-back guarantee.

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How Can You Break The Cycle Of Ear Infections

So what are the main factors that increase the risk of ear infections and what can you do to help your child break the cycle of recurrent ear infections and avoid antibiotics?

First of all, keep in mind that 90-95% of ear infections will resolve just as fast with or without antibiotics. This means that most children do not need an antibiotic for an uncomplicated ear infection in fact they are better off without them. Antibiotics increase the risk of getting another ear infection within 3 months.

Can Dogs Take Human Probiotics

Yes, dogs can take human probiotics as long as they do not contain ingredients that are dangerous to dogs. However, when it comes to human probiotics for dogs, they are not as effective as dog probiotics.

Probiotics are beneficial bacteria that help maintain a healthy gut and GI tract. They can help with health issues like constipation,diarrhea, bloating, obesity, and bad breath.

Other benefits of probiotics for dogs also include adequate digestive tract function, strengthened immune system, and reduced stress.

To ensure these benefits, your dog needs the right probiotic. Supporting gut health and preventing digestive issues is harder if using human probiotics for dogs instead of dog probiotics.

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Reverse Sneezing And Dog Allergies

Reverse sneezing occurs when dogs forcefully expel air through their nose and then do the exact same thing in reverse by inhaling the sneeze back into their nose immediately after sneezing.

Dogs experiencing reverse sneezing fits will snort, wheeze and sound like they are having trouble breathing. However, a fit of reverse sneezing eventually resolves itself in about 30 to 60 seconds and has no negative health effects on the dog. Veterinarians call reverse sneezing paroxysmal respiration and attribute this type of sneezing to allergies and respiratory infections. Dogs with long, narrow noses and narrow nasal passages tend to suffer reverse sneezing fits more than dogs with shorter noses.

What Are The Key Concepts Of Probiotics For Infection Control

Microorganisms compete with one another for space, including surfaces, and nutrients. The large pool of bacteria is in the large intestine and in most studies disturbances in the gastrointestinal tract are the targets for probiotic therapy. Most microorganisms excrete metabolites that have a negative impact on the growth of other species or strains.

The normal gastrointestinal flora consists of a stable balance between microorganisms. This is easily disturbed in illnesses and especially when antibiotics are used.

The goals of probiotic therapy are to:

• Prevent colonization and overgrowth of pathogenic microorganisms

• Restore an acute or chronic deterioration of a microbiological balance

• Maintain a reasonable ecological balance at involved sites

• Stimulate the immune system

• Prevent or reduce side effects of antibiotics

• Improve and restore gut barrier function

• Stimulate mucus production from the gut epithelium which contributes to an improved gut barrier function

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Remedies And Treatments For Ear Infections

Most home remedies for ear infections are focused on pain relief. Itâs usually possible to manage ear infection pain at home while waiting for the infection to go away. Itâs also important to monitor the infection closely.

Pain Relief

One popular method to relieve ear pain is putting a hot or cold compress, like a wet washcloth, on the ear. Make sure the compress is not too hot or too cold. You can try both temperatures to see if one helps more.

Pain reliever medicines like acetaminophen, naproxen, or ibuprofen can also help relieve ear pain. Follow the dosing directions on the label for yourself or your child.

Several over-the-counter ear drops are available as well. Most are homeopathic, meaning they are made from natural ingredients. Several studies have shown homeopathic medicines relieve pain and help ear infections heal more quickly.

Sleeping position can also affect your ear infection healing time. Sleeping while sitting up can help drain the fluid from your ear. This may help to relieve pressure and reduce pain.

Lastly, the natural substance xylitol might help prevent ear infections in children. Xylitol can be found in chewing gums or lozenges, and itâs naturally found in fruit and vegetable fibers. Many studies have shown success in preventing ear infections using xylitol.

Prevention

There are also several options you can take to avoid ear infections for yourself or your child. These include:

In addition, vitamin D and probiotics both increase immunity.

Blis K12 Enables Parents To Be Preventative

Ears & Throat with BLIS K12 for Kids is a daily probiotic that works in the mouth instead of the gut and is clinically proven to help prevent throat and ear infections. Developed in New Zealand by dedicated microbiologists using over 30 years of scientific research and clinical studies, Ears & Throat with BLIS K12 for Kids is a tasty vanilla-flavoured powder that can be taken as-is or mixed into cool foods like a morning yogurt or bowl of ice cream. Incorporating it into your childs everyday routine can help support the immune system, curb sore throat infections, help to lower the regularity of upper respiratory infections and can also support and maintain healthy ear function. How? By working to overtake the mouth with good bacteria.

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What Are Probiotics For Dogs

Probiotics are living microorganisms which when administered in adequate amounts confer a health benefit on the host this definition from the World Health Organization depicts the true nature of probiotics and their tribute to health.

Basically, the dogs digestive system is inhabited by billions of microorganisms primarily bacteria but also yeasts. Some of them are good, and others are potential pathogens. Together these microorganisms are collectively called the microbiome, and under normal circumstances, they are in balance.

Sadly, many conditions and medications can throw this balance out of order for your dog. This is where probiotics for dogs prove beneficial. They support the growth of good bacteria and prevent the potential pathogens from overgrowing and compromising digestive health and overall wellbeing.

Healed From Head To Toe

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