Black Crud In Dogs Ear

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Though extremely tiny, ear mites can be a big problem for dogs, especially younger ones. One sign your dog may have mites is a crusty, blackish-brown ear discharge, which often looks like dried shoe polish. Other signs include scratching and head shaking.

Dog Ear Infection Symptoms

If you think your dog could have an ear infection, look for some of these symptoms.

  • Pawing at ears or head
  • Head shaking
  • Black or green gunk or discharge
  • Pain
  • Itchiness
  • Odor
  • Bleeding
  • Swelling
  • Redness

    • Common Causes of Dog Ear Infection

    Dog infections are common, and while they can’t be avoided completely, understanding the most common causes can help you lower your dog’s risk of infection.

    Yes, I said sniff. Healthy ears don’t have an odor. Make a habit of sniffing your dog’s ears, starting when he’s a puppy, so you’ll know how they smell normally. If his ears smell yeasty or downright stinky, it’s likely that a bacterial or yeast infection is brewing.

    To clean the ears, tilt your dog’s head downward with one hand and squirt a gentle cleanser recommended by your veterinarian into the ear, filling the canal. Holding the ear closed, give it a nice massage, really squishing the cleanser around in there. That softens any gunk inside. A number of new products include soft application tips and clever devices to apply just the right amount of product.

    Your best bet for preventing ear infections is to keep your dog’s ears clean and dry. Bacteria and yeast love a warm, moist environment. Keep them at bay by drying your dog’s ears thoroughly after a swim or bath.

    Some dogs are ear infection magnets. If you have a floppy-eared dog or any dog with a history of ear problems, check his ears weekly. There’s no scientific evidence that dogs with droopy ears have more ear infections, but anecdotally they tend to be the ones veterinarians see more often with ear infections. That said, allergies are probably the main cause of ear problems, and they are seen in dogs with all ear types.

    That’s all you need to do. Don’t mess around with cotton-tipped applicators. They can drive dirt and debris deeper into your dog’s ear. And whatever you do, don’t clean ears with alcohol or witch hazel. They dry the ear out and can sting if your dog has abrasions inside his ear.

    FAQ

    How do you get black gunk out of a dog’s ear?

    Ear Cleaning Advice

    To clean the ears, tilt your dog’s head downward with one hand and squirt a gentle cleanser recommended by your veterinarian into the ear, filling the canal. Holding the ear closed, give it a nice massage, really squishing the cleanser around in there. That softens any gunk inside.

    How do you tell if your dog has ear mites or just dirty ears?

    Black gunk in a dog’s ear is often a sign of an ear mite infestation, but it could also indicate an ear infection. Other possibilities include wax buildup, complications from allergies, dirt or debris, or a flea infestation. Clean the ears routinely and be sure any problems are examined by a vet.

    What does an ear mite look like in a dog?

    Ear wax is normal in healthy dogs, but regular ear wax is light brown and doesn’t have an odor. The wax in dogs with ear mites is usually darker brown or black, resembles coffee grounds, and can give off a foul odor.