Common Behaviors That Indicate Dog Ear Problems
If your dog is excessively scratching or pawing in the ear, tilting his head or excessively flipping his head, it may also be a sign that he is experiencing discomfort, says Dr. Matthew Goetz, DVM, medical director for the Arizona Animal Welfare League and SPCA in Phoenix.
If your dog is turning in circles, off balance, ataxic or uncoordinated, tripping over objects, or showing signs of vertigo, it could be a sign of a middle or inner ear infection, which is serious and should be treated immediately, says Dr. Klaus Earl Loft, DVM, a veterinary dermatologist at Angell Animal Medical Center in Boston, Massachusetts.
Another sign of a dog ear problem that you may not have expected is if you notice other dogs continually sniffing at your pup’s ear. Dr. Loft suggests that this could also be a sign of ear infections in dogs.
Ear injuries happen for many reasons. The following guidelines are for injuries caused by objects stuck in the ear and/or from the violent head-shaking which occurs when dogs try to dislodge the objects from their ears.
Although ear infections are the most common cause of injury, ear-swelling can be caused by abscesses formed after a fight, mites, foreign bodies or tumors. Always have swelling and bleeding checked.
Tip: If you need to bandage a dog’s ear but have no gauze available, you can cut the toe off a tube sock and put that over the dog’s head. Just make sure it isn’t too tight.
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Ears that appear swollen or that discharge blood are a clear indication that the dog has something stuck in his ear. The dog may even shake his head or paw at the ear to attempt to dislodge it himself.
In most cases, your dog’s ear infection will be in the external ear canal. When your dog has an ear infection, it’s easy to spot, especially when you know what you’re looking for. Generally, an ear infection will cause a dog to shake their head vigorously, as though trying to rid themselves of the pain. While this is a natural and understandable reaction, dogs can shake their heads roughly enough that it can rupture blood vessels in their ears, causing the earflap to swell and possibly cause a condition called an aural hematoma. An aural hematoma is typically caused by either excessive head shaking and/or persistent scratching at the infected site.
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It’s just as important to make sure that you’re treating the correct ailment. Although infections and foreign objects are the most common causes of ear injuries in dogs, some of the symptoms of infection can be signs of something else. Ear swelling, a common symptom of infections, can also be caused by an abscess after a fight, a mite infestation, or even a more serious issue with tumors.
Aside from behavioral changes, canine ear injuries will have visible signs. Odors and discharge from the infected area are very common. This is a clear message to take your dog to the vet as soon as possible. Infections are often accompanied by whining and scratching at the infected ear. Sometimes, if an infection sits undetected until it reaches the point of bleeding and swelling, it can negatively affect your dog’s equilibrium. If your dog suddenly becomes unsteady on their feet, be sure to take them to a vet that very day.
Dogs are naturally very active animals, and their playful activity can make the situation worse with an ear injury. It can also prevent their ear injuries from healing. Ear tip injuries are notoriously difficult to heal. The location is prime scratching territory, and just when you think that the infection is gone, because the site has started to scab over, your dog will scratch that scab off, starting the process of a potential infection all over again.
How to Care for a Dog’s Torn Ear || How to treat a dog’s torn ear || Dog torn ear treatment
The ear of dogs is divided into three parts – the outer ear, the middle ear, and the inner ear. Between the outer ear and the middle ear is a thin membrane called the tympanic membrane or eardrum. It’s in the middle ear where the body’s tiniest bones – malleus, incus, and stapes – are located. It’s also where the eustachian tubes are found. The eardrum is very fragile; it can easily be damaged during ear cleaning or ear disease. Read on to learn about symptoms and treatment for dogs with ruptured eardrums.
The eardrum plays a primary role in transmitting sounds captured from the surroundings to the three bones in the middle ear, then to the labyrinth. Anything that compromises the integrity and structure of the eardrum, such as an infection or perforation, can significantly affect a dog’s ability to hear. Any problem with the eardrum should be considered a serious health issue that warrants immediate veterinary attention.