Signs Of a Dog Ear Infection
Ear infections are one of the most common reasons pet parents bring their dogs to the veterinarian. They aren’t just uncomfortable for your dog and frustrating for you. When they are chronic, ear infections can be very painful and can lead to vertigo and deafness.
Inflammation of the inner ear is called otitis interna, and it is most often caused by an infection. The infectious agent is most commonly bacterial, although fungus (otherwise known as yeast) can also be implicated in an inner ear infection.
Are Some Breeds More Apt To Infection?
Floppy ears are undoubtedly adorable and can help to prevent foreign objects, dirt, and bacteria from entering, but if something does get in it may remain trapped in the dark and damp area.
Dogs with longer, heavy ears, such as hounds and spaniels seem to be more prone to chronic ear infections that ultimately lead to otitis interna.
Other breeds that have a higher probability of infection are:
Pit Bulls
Pit Bulls are a very allergy-prone breed and tend to be more apt to skin infections, yeasty paws, and ear infections.
Poodles
Poodles and other dogs with extremely hairy ears usually get ear infections because the hair may make it more difficult for the material to exit the ear canal.
Shar-Peis
Shar-Peis and any other dog with excessive skin folds may experience chronic ear infections due to debris clogging the skin, ear canals, and other places. This can cause significant discomfort. Shar-Peis also have much narrower ear canals than other breeds which causes debris to remain stuck.
Regardless of breed, any dog with a chronic ear infection that is difficult to control may develop otitis interna if the eardrum (tympanic membrane) is damaged, as a damaged ear drum allows bacteria to migrate down into the inner ear.
What’s Going On In There?
Bacteria, fungus, yeast, ear mites, allergies, tumors, polyps, physical trauma, and damage from foreign objects are all reasons that may be causing your dog discomfort.
Unlike humans, the shape of a dog’s ear canal is more vertical than horizontal. That’s right; their ear canal is more straight up and down than at an angle that has natural drainage.
Because your dog’s ear canal is more like an L-shape, it’s very easy for excessive moisture and debris to accumulate and build up inside their ear. As moisture and debris build-up, infections can set in. Bacteria, yeast, and fungi multiply in exactly that kind of warm dark environment and moist conditions.
Dog Ear Yeast Infection
Yeast infections occur when the yeast balance becomes unbalanced and grows out of control. This can be caused by diet, allergies, running, swimming, and other activities that cause water and/or sweat to gather in the ears where yeast enjoys growing.
Some things you may notice if your dog has a yeast infection:
- Yellow or bloody discharge in and around the ear
- Head shaking or tilting
- Foul odor coming from the area
- Redness
- Broken or scabbed skin on the ear
- Loss of hair around the ear
- Vertigo/loss of balance
Mites
It’s not difficult to recognize ear mites based on your pet’s behavior and appearance. However, the mites are nearly impossible to see with the naked eye. These tiny parasites feed off your pet’s ear wax which causes irritation, itching, and head shaking. An infestation of ear mites can lead to further bacterial infections.
If your dog experiences the below symptoms they may have mites:
- Head shaking
- Scratching at ears
- Dark crusty discharge from the ears may look like dirt or coffee grounds
- Unusual amounts of scratching to other areas of the body
Image Source: https://www.thesprucepets.com/about-ear-mites-dogs-and-cats-3384667
More Severe Signs of a Dog Ear Infection
If the facial nerve, which is located in the area of the inner ear, is damaged by an inner ear infection, your dog may develop some of the following symptoms:
- Excessive drooling
- Vomiting or heaving
- Inability or difficulty to chew food or drink
- Inability to blink
- Eye discharge
- Drooping of the eyelids or lips on the infected side
How To Treat a Dog Ear Infection
Do not treat your pet at home with homemade remedies without consulting your vet first. Treating a dog ear infection at home can cause the eardrum to rupture or cause a longer-lasting infection if not treated properly. Your vet will discuss the proper treatment. In many cases, your vet will clean your dog’s ears to remove any unwanted debris and allow the healing process and medication to properly work for your pet.
Typically, many ear infection cases are prescribed a liquid ear medication and cleaner to be placed directly into the ears. You will typically need to apply the ear medication one to three times daily. The cleaner will allow you to flush and cleanse your dog’s ears properly to maintain optimum health and clear out buildup.
Shar-Peis
Shar-Peis and any other dog with excessive skin folds may experience chronic ear infections due to debris clogging the skin, ear canals, and other places. This can cause significant discomfort. Shar-Peis also have much narrower ear canals than other breeds which causes debris to remain stuck.
Regardless of breed, any dog with a chronic ear infection that is difficult to control may develop otitis interna if the eardrum (tympanic membrane) is damaged, as a damaged ear drum allows bacteria to migrate down into the inner ear.
What’s Going On In There?
Bacteria, fungus, yeast, ear mites, allergies, tumors, polyps, physical trauma, and damage from foreign objects are all reasons that may be causing your dog discomfort.
Unlike humans, the shape of a dog’s ear canal is more vertical than horizontal. That’s right; their ear canal is more straight up and down than at an angle that has natural drainage.
Because your dog’s ear canal is more like an L-shape, it’s very easy for excessive moisture and debris to accumulate and build up inside their ear. As moisture and debris build-up, infections can set in. Bacteria, yeast, and fungi multiply in exactly that kind of warm dark environment and moist conditions.
Dog Ear Yeast Infection
Yeast infections occur when the yeast balance becomes unbalanced and grows out of control. This can be caused by diet, allergies, running, swimming, and other activities that cause water and/or sweat to gather in the ears where yeast enjoys growing.
Some things you may notice if your dog has a yeast infection:
- Yellow or bloody discharge in and around the ear
- Head shaking or tilting
- Foul odor coming from the area
- Redness
- Broken or scabbed skin on the ear
- Loss of hair around the ear
- Vertigo/loss of balance
Mites
It’s not difficult to recognize ear mites based on your pet’s behavior and appearance. However, the mites are nearly impossible to see with the naked eye. These tiny parasites feed off your pet’s ear wax which causes irritation, itching, and head shaking. An infestation of ear mites can lead to further bacterial infections.
If your dog experiences the below symptoms they may have mites:
- Head shaking
- Scratching at ears
- Dark crusty discharge from the ears may look like dirt or coffee grounds
- Unusual amounts of scratching to other areas of the body
Image Source: https://www.thesprucepets.com/about-ear-mites-dogs-and-cats-3384667
More Severe Signs of a Dog Ear Infection
If the facial nerve, which is located in the area of the inner ear, is damaged by an inner ear infection, your dog may develop some of the following symptoms:
- Excessive drooling
- Vomiting or heaving
- Inability or difficulty to chew food or drink
- Inability to blink
- Eye discharge
- Drooping of the eyelids or lips on the infected side
How To Treat an Ear Infection
Do not treat your pet at home with homemade remedies without consulting your vet first. Treating a dog ear infection at home can cause the eardrum to rupture or cause a longer-lasting infection if not treated properly. Your vet will discuss the proper treatment. In many cases, your vet will clean your dog’s ears to remove any unwanted debris and allow the healing process and medication to properly work for your pet.
Typically, many ear infection cases are prescribed a liquid ear medication and cleaner to be placed directly into the ears. You will typically need to apply the ear medication one to three times daily. The cleaner will allow you to flush and cleanse your dog’s ears properly to maintain optimum health and clear out buildup.
