Help! My dog has an ear infection
Symptoms
Ear problems are common in dogs. The dog may experience the following symptoms:
- Hearing impairment / deafness
- Thickening of the ear
- Scratching the ear
- Frequent head shaking
- Balance problems
- Bad-smelling ear
- Rubbing against the ground or objects
- Holding the head tilted
- Pain when touched
- Large amounts of brown earwax or pus inside the ear
If your dog has one or more of these symptoms, have them examined by a veterinarian. The most common causes are ear mites, ear infections, allergies, insect bites, or something in the ear (a tick, grass, etc.)
Causes of an ear infection in dogs
Disruption of the balance of bacteria and/or yeast in the ear is the most common cause of an ear infection. Dogs with floppy or hairy ears can develop an environment more quickly in which harmless fungi, yeasts, and bacteria multiply. This can lead to the production of large amounts of brown earwax, which can block the ear canal and damage the ear. Other causes of ear infections include ear mites, objects in the ear, narrow ear canals, swimming in dirty water, or skin allergies. Dogs that are allergic to certain substances in their environment or food can develop general skin problems. This can also cause an ear infection.
If you think your dog has an ear infection, it is advisable to schedule a visit to the veterinarian. The veterinarian can examine your dog's ears with an otoscope. The ear can also be flushed to remove the thickest buildup of earwax. In addition, the veterinarian can check whether the eardrum is still intact, so it is safe to use ear ointment. Applying ointment to a damaged eardrum can allow it to enter the middle ear and cause serious damage.
Does my dog have ear mites?
Ear mites are invisible, light-gray, spider-like parasites that can damage the inside of the ear canal. Dogs with ear mites experience severe itching around the ears, scratch frequently, and shake their heads. You can recognize ear mites by small black specks and dark brown earwax in the ear. Ear mites are highly contagious and are transmitted through direct contact between animals. Visit the veterinarian for the right treatment.
Is my dog deaf?
Deafness in dogs can be caused by:
- Old age
- Ear infection
- Excessive noise in the environment
- Injury from an accident
- Congenital abnormality
- Meningitis
- Tumor
Help, my dog has a wound on its ear!
If your dog has a bleeding wound, hold the ear up and tie a tea towel around it. If the ear is bleeding heavily, take your dog to the veterinarian immediately. If it is a small wound, you can treat it with natural products such as Betadine, Geranium, and Tea tree. If the wound is still moist and pus-filled after several days, call the veterinarian.
What is an ear hematoma in dogs?
A lump can develop in the ear as a result of shaking, scratching, or bumping against an object. This is called an ear hematoma and is usually a bruise in the ear. If it did not appear suddenly, it could possibly be an abscess or tumor. Visit the veterinarian for treatment.
Bald spots around my dog's ears
Hereditary predisposition, hormonal disorders, fungal infections, or mange can cause hairless ears or bald spots on the ears. If your dog has hair loss due to hereditary predisposition, this cannot unfortunately be treated; the other causes can be treated. Would you like the right treatment? Visit the veterinarian.
