Help! My dog has an ear infection
Symptoms
An ear condition is common in dogs. The dog may show the following symptoms:
- Hearing loss / deafness
- Thickening of the ear
- Scratching at the ear
- Frequent head shaking
- Balance disorders
- Foul-smelling ear
- Rubbing against the ground or objects
- Tilting the head
- Pain when touched
- Excessive 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 (tick, grass, etc.)
Causes of an ear infection in dogs
An imbalance in the 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 where harmless fungi, yeasts, and bacteria multiply more easily. This can lead to the production of a lot of brown earwax, which clogs the ear canal and damages the ear. Other causes of ear infections include ear mites, foreign objects in the ear, narrow ear canals, swimming in dirty water, or skin allergies. Dogs with allergies to certain environmental substances or food can develop general skin problems, which can also cause ear infections.
If you suspect your dog has an ear infection, it is wise to schedule a visit to the vet. Using an otoscope, the vet can examine your dog's ears. The ear can also be flushed to remove the thickest buildup of earwax. The vet will also check if the eardrum is intact, ensuring it is safe to use ear ointment. Applying ointment on a damaged eardrum can reach 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 a lot, and shake their heads. You can recognize ear mites by small black dots and dark brown earwax in the ear. Ear mites are highly contagious and spread through direct contact between animals. Visit the vet for the proper 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 defect
- Meningitis
- Tumor
Help, my dog has a wound on its ear!
If your dog has a bleeding wound, hold the ear up and wrap it with a tea towel. If the ear is bleeding heavily, take your dog to the vet immediately. For small wounds, you can treat them with natural products such as Betadine, Geranium, and Tea Tree. If the wound remains moist and pus-filled after a few days, call the vet.
What is an ear hematoma in dogs?
A lump can form on the ear due to shaking, scratching, or bumping into an object. This is called an ear hematoma and is usually a blood clot in the ear. If it did not appear suddenly, it could possibly be an abscess or tumor. See a vet for treatment.
Bald spots on my dog's ears
Hereditary predisposition, hormonal disorders, fungal infections, or mange can cause bald ears or bald spots on the ears. If your dog’s baldness is due to hereditary factors, unfortunately, it cannot be treated. For the other causes, treatment is available. For the right treatment, visit the vet.
