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Whining, scratching, and head shaking are among the telltale signs that your dog may have an ear infection. In addition to being one of the most common types of infection in dogs, ear infections can cause your dog a great deal of pain and discomfort. Some dog breeds are more prone to ear infections than others, especially those with floppy ears, such as Basset Hounds, Beagles, and Cocker Spaniels.
Key Points
Fortunately, there are steps you can take to reduce the length and severity of these episodes, along with using dog ear care products to help prevent issues from recurring. If you suspect your dog has an ear infection, it’s important to seek veterinary attention right away, since untreated infections can lead to hearing loss. Here’s what you need to know about dog ear infections, including the symptoms, causes, and treatments.
What Are the Symptoms of Dog Ear Infections?
Let’s start with your dog’s ear, which includes the part you can see called the ear flap or pinna, ear canal, eardrum, middle ear, and inner ear. An ear infection or otitis occurs when there is “inflammation of the ear canal with overgrowth of yeast, bacteria, or both,” says Dr. Kelly Hood, DVM, veterinary expert at HonestPet. The ear canal is the tube-shaped part of the ear that carries sound to the eardrum.
There are three types of dog ear infections: otitis externa, media, and interna. Otitis externa is the most common and affects the external portion of the ear canal. Otitis media and interna refer to infections of the middle and inner ear canal, respectively. These conditions often occur when an infection spreads from the external ear, such as when a buildup of dirt and debris accumulates in the ear canal.
Ear infections can develop suddenly (acute) or repeatedly (chronic) and affect one or both ears. Otitis media and interna can be quite serious and may lead to deafness, facial paralysis, and vestibular signs. Regarding the latter, “balance can be affected in severe or chronic cases when it extends to the middle ear or inner ear,” she adds.
If present, common symptoms of dog ear infections are:
- Head shaking
- Scratching or rubbing the affected ear
- Dark discharge
- Odor Redness and swelling of the ear canal
- Pain
- Itchiness
- Crusting or scabs in the ears
Diagnosing Ear Infections in Dogs
If your dog shows any of the common signs of ear infections, consult with your veterinarian as soon as possible. “I diagnose by history, otoscopic exam, and ear cytology,” Dr. Hood says. An otoscopic exam involves using an instrument to look inside the ear. Cytology refers to the use of tissue samples or body fluids to diagnose disease, including cancer or infectious diseases.
Detailed History
Your veterinarian will begin by taking a thorough history of the problem. This is especially important for first-time infections or if you’re seeing a new veterinarian. For instance, your vet will want to know the following:
- Duration of your dog’s symptoms, such as pain, swelling, discharge, and odor
- Your dog’s history of allergies or other underlying medical conditions
- Medications or supplements your dog is taking
- Your dog’s diet, including treats
- How often you clean your dog’s ears, and which dog ear cleaning products you use
- If you’ve trimmed or plucked the hair in your dog’s ears
- Recent activities, such as baths, grooming, or swimming
- If your dog has a history of ear infections, when they occurred, and how they were treated
Otoscopic Exam
After obtaining your dog’s history, your veterinarian will perform a physical examination, evaluating both ears. For instance, they’ll look for signs such as redness, swelling, discharge, and any trauma to the ear from scratching. They’ll also gently palpate (touch) the ear to assess your dog’s pain level. If both ears are experiencing problems, allergies are often the underlying cause since the body is experiencing a systemic reaction. Only one affected ear makes it less likely that an allergy is the underlying cause.
During an otoscopic exam, the vet will use an instrument called an otoscope to examine the ear canal and eardrum. With its light source and magnifying lens, the otoscope allows the vet to view the ear’s structures and assess their condition. They’ll also look for debris, foreign objects, a ruptured eardrum, or any abnormalities to the tissues or structures of the ear.
Some dogs may be uncooperative, especially if they’re experiencing a lot of pain or itchiness. Swelling and discharge can also make it difficult to examine the middle ear. In such cases, your vet may suggest using sedation or anesthesia to permit a thorough examination.
Ear Cytology
Most dogs have a normal population of harmless microorganisms in their ear canals. An infection can result from an overgrowth of microorganisms. The vet will use a cotton swab to collect a sample of discharge and determine which microorganisms are present.
“First, I take a swab, stain it, and look for yeast or bacteria under the microscope,” she says. Dark-colored discharge can be a sign of an infection caused by yeast, parasites, bacteria, or a combination of these. For example, if ear mites are present, the vet will examine the discharge for eggs, larvae, or adult parasites.
During the otoscopic exam, the vet may take tissue samples for culture. This means keeping cells in a controlled environment to observe their behavior. They’ll also look for changes in the size or shape of cells.
To determine what’s causing the inflammation, the vet may suggest additional tests, including allergy testing, biopsy, or X-ray. A biopsy can help tumors in cases of long-term inflammation or obstruction of the ear canal in one ear. The vet may X-ray the ear to determine whether the dog has a middle ear infection, especially in cases involving a loss of balance.
How Do Dogs Get Ear Infections?
Several factors can predispose your dog to an ear infection. These include autoimmune disorders and endocrine disorders, such as thyroid disease, as well as ear mites in puppies. Whether the cause is disease-related or environmental, there’s an underlying issue that alters the dog’s natural defenses against harmful microorganisms like yeast and bacteria.
For example, frequent exposure to water or humid climates can allow moisture and heat to become trapped in the ear, Dr. Hood says. Often, this creates a prime environment for bacteria and yeast. Likewise, cleaning your dog’s ears too often can remove protective oils and good bacteria, leading to irritation and infection.
Other causes of yeast or bacterial overgrowth include wax buildup, foreign bodies, and trauma. Such injuries can be self-inflicted, such as when a dog rubs or scratches their ears or shakes their head vigorously. In addition, allergies can inflame the lining of the ear canal.
“The inflammation changes natural ear wax consistency, traps moisture, and lowers local defenses,” she says. “In many dogs, recurrent ear infections are the first or only sign of a food or environmental allergy,” explains Dr. Hood. Typically, these dogs require long-term allergy management. If this is the case for your dog, you can work with your veterinarian to develop a treatment plan and determine if you’ll need to make any changes to your dog’s diet.
Another reason for long-term management concerns a dog’s anatomy. Due to its L-shape, a dog’s ear canal tends to retain fluid. In addition, certain breeds are at greater risk of ear infections, including dogs with floppy ears, narrow ear canals, abnormal growths in the ear canals, or heavy ear hair, she says. Her advice is to see the vet if you notice any signs, such as excessive itching or odor.
How Are Dog Ear Infections Treated?
Your veterinarian will thoroughly clean your dog’s ears using a medicated ear cleanser. Your vet may also prescribe ear drops to use at home. “If your dog has a bacterial infection, it’s treated with topical antibiotic ear drops,” Dr. Hood says. In severe cases of dog ear infections, your vet may prescribe oral antibiotics and anti-inflammatory medications.
Yeast infections are “usually treated with cleaning along with a topical antifungal ear-specific medication,” she says. Oftentimes, the medication is combined with a steroid to reduce swelling. “It’s common for an ear infection to be a mixed infection, involving yeast and bacteria, in which case the treatment targets both causes simultaneously,” she adds.
Prompt treatment is necessary for relieving your dog’s discomfort. It’s also important for limiting the spread of infection to the middle and inner ear. Even if your dog has had an ear infection before, you don’t want to attempt treating it at home. “Patients with severe, chronic, recurring, or resistant cases may need a culture and sometimes the addition of oral medication,” she says.
Once appropriate treatment begins, most uncomplicated ear infections resolve within 1 to 2 weeks. Severe infections or those due to underlying conditions can take months to improve, or risk becoming a chronic problem. In cases of severe chronic disease where other treatments have failed, your veterinarian may recommend surgery such as a total ear canal ablation (TECA). A TECA surgery removes the ear canal, thus removing the diseased tissue and preventing the recurrence of infection.
Make sure to follow your veterinarian’s instructions and return to the veterinary hospital for any recommended recheck appointments. Gaps or delays in your dog’s treatment may lead to the recurrence of an infection. Even if your dog seems to be getting better, it’s critical to finish the full course of medication. Discontinuing medication early can lead to additional problems, such as resistant infections.
How to Prevent Dog Ear Infections
Whenever possible, prevention is the best strategy. If your dog is prone to chronic or recurrent ear infections, identifying and managing underlying causes, such as allergies, can help prevent new infections. “Don’t put any home remedies or old medications into the dog’s ear without checking with your vet first, since it could cause further irritation or damage the eardrum,” Dr. Hood says. “Keeping your dog on vet-approved monthly parasite control can eliminate ear mites as a cause for itching.”
In dealing with allergies, she recommends feeding your dog a high-quality, nutritionally balanced diet. “If a food allergy is suspected, I propose a strict elimination diet for 8 to 12 weeks, trying to determine an ingredient trigger,” she says. “It’s usually the protein source.” An elimination diet is when you remove certain foods or food groups you suspect are causing adverse symptoms.
Since excess moisture can provide a breeding ground for bacteria and yeast, dry your dog’s ears thoroughly after baths or swimming, she says. Take extra care with dogs that have floppy ears. “Be sure the groomer keeps the hair in and around the opening of the ear canal thinned and trimmed,” she says. Ask your veterinarian if a dog ear powder is a good option for helping to keep your dog’s ears dry.
Cleaning your dog’s ears at home can also help prevent ear infections. “You can use a vet-approved ear cleaner on a regular schedule,” she says. “First, fill the ear canal with a dog ear cleaning solution and massage the ear canal from the outside,” says Jeff Grognet, DVM, a columnist for AKC Family Dog. He recommends wiping out the canal with absorbent gauze rather than using paper towels or cotton, which can leave fibers behind and cause irritation.
Cotton swabs may be useful for cleaning your dog’s ear flap. “However, avoid cotton swabs down the canal,” Dr. Hood says. They can inadvertently push debris deeper into the ear canal. You can also use dog ear cleaning wipes to help clear away dirt and debris from the external ear flaps.
Ear infections are a common and often recurrent problem in many dogs. If your dog is showing signs of an ear infection, talk to your vet and seek treatment right away. “Stay on top of ear infections with regular checks, scheduled cleaning, and thorough drying after swimming or bathing,” she adds.
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