Why Your Dog Is Scratching His Ears
One of the first signs of an ear infection is the dog shaking his head and scratching at his ears. Otitis (inflammation of the ear canal) is usually accompanied by redness of the ear flaps.
Often, the sign of an underlying ear problem can be extremely subtle, such as a very slight tilt of the head, or one ear being held at a slightly different angle than the other.
An odor that emanates from the ears is another tell-tale sign. The odor is usually a pungent, yeasty smell and is accompanied by a dark reddish brown buildup of waxy substance around the folds of the ears and deeper within the ear canal itself. Some dogs can be in such discomfort that they can cause damage to their ear flap (pinna) from the scratching and repeated shaking over time.
Such damage can be a nightmare to overcome, because the ear scratching and head shaking can knock off the tiny scabs that form along the bottom of the pinna, causing yet more bleeding. Any attempted cleaning or treatment of the ear itself almost always results in even more shaking right afterwards as well.
Sometimes, a ‘civil war bandage’ which fastens the dog’s ears to the side of his head, is recommended for ear flap scabs and bleeding, with the intention being to have a scab stay on long enough for healing to take place underneath – but of course keeping the ears down in this manner is even more detrimental for the inner ears where the underlying problem exists, because it prevents any air from circulating.
A better approach than bandaging is to apply generous amounts of thick calendula cream or other chemical- free moistening, lubricating creams, to keep the tips of the ear flaps softened and reduce the buildup of scabs.
In severe cases of prolonged ear scratching and head shaking, a dog ear hematoma (swelling, caused by a buildup of blood and fluid under the skin) can develop in the pinna, however this is thought to be due primarily to a type of autoimmune disease which weakens the blood vessels of the pinna, making them more prone to rupture.
Immediate Itchy Ear Remedies
Support wikiHow by unlocking this expert answer. Give your dog an oral, over-the-counter antihistamine like Benadryl. You can also ask your vet for an anti-itch prescription or a corticosteroids to decrease inflammation. Support wikiHow by unlocking this expert answer. Use cotton balls and an ear cleaning solution to clean out any visible debris from your dogs ears. Support wikiHow by unlocking this expert answer. Your dog might have an ear infection if their ear smells or looks visibly inflamed, even after cleaning. Call your vet for treatment help. Aural masses
Tumors, polyps, or any other aural masses can act just like foreign bodies and be uncomfortable for your dog. Ear polyps are a type of tumor that grow in an abnormal place, like the ear canal, and spiral out of control. They can be fairly common in pets with frequent infections. If left untreated, they can cause infections and wax buildup, which can interfere with the function of the ear, such as balance and hearing.
