Ear Infections
Ear infections are often signs of an underlying condition. Allergies to ingredients in your dogs food, or environmental triggers, like pollens, molds, and dust mites, are most common, but foreign material within the ear, chronically damp ears, and hormonal disorders are also possible.
There are three types of ear infections, known as otitis externa, media, and interna.
The most common is otitis externa, in which inflammation affects the layer of cells lining the external portion of the ear canal.
Otitis media and interna refer to infections of the middle and inner ear canal. These infections often result from the spread of infection from the external ear. Otitis media and interna can be very serious and may result in deafness, facial paralysis, and vestibular signs. That’s why it’s important to prevent infections and seek early treatment when problems arise.
Kinds of ear infections
Bacteria and/or Yeast
Bacteria and yeast both exist naturally in healthy ears, but they can get out of balance.
If your dog swims a lot, moisture in the ears can contribute to either of these conditions. If your dog’s ears are yeasty-smelling with a dark brown discharge, it’s often yeast overgrowth. Yeasty ears may be itchy but are usually not painful.
Bacterial infections can also appear. You may notice a bad-smelling yellow or greenish discharge.
Ear mites
Ear mites, known as otodectes cynotis, are a parasite infection and a type of mange.
Dogs with ear mites will often shake their heads and scratch at their ears. Young dogs often get mites and they’re quite contagious, so you’ll want to treat them fast. You also need to avoid other pets in the house catching them. Cats can get them too!
You can usually identify mites by the “coffee-ground” discharge they leave in the ear. The outer ear may also have reddish crustiness.
Foreign bodies
Sometimes ear discomfort comes from foreign bodies getting into your dog’s ear. Your dog can pick up grass seeds, a bug, water from swimming, or even dirt.
Your dog will usually shake her head to get rid of the debris. If she’s unsuccessful, she may develop irritation and bacteria or yeast overgrowth.
Why is my dog getting ear infections?
Common reasons your dog may get ear infections include:
- Swimming – moisture can create a prime growing environment for bacteria and yeast
- Allergies – skin or food sensitivities; 50% of dogs with allergic skin disease also have ear infections and 80 percent of dogs with food sensitivities.
- Wax buildup
- Foreign bodies
- Injury to the ear canal
- Excessive cleaning, other dogs cleaning ears.
Symptoms of an ear infection
Typical symptoms include:
- Shaking the head
- Pawing at the ears
- Odor
- Whining
- Hot ears
- Brown or yellowish discharge
- Redness
- Scabs or crusty ears
- Other dogs licking their ears.
How Can Ear Infections in Dogs Be Prevented?
To keep ears healthy, carefully monitor your dog’s ears for the early signs of inflammation and regular use of an ear cleaning agent will prevent most infections. Ongoing treatment of any underlying allergy is also important. Keeping the ears free of inflammation and wax buildup will ensure they remain healthy.
Treatment
If you are new to ear infections it’s best to seek veterinarian attention as soon as possible and find out what type of infection your dog has.
The key to ear infections is to keep the ears clean and dry, if you decide to clean your dogs ears use something that dries the ears. Water feeds yeast so stay away from water. Which hazel or apple cider ginger works well.